Detailed Explanation of Key Points for Atractylodes lancea Cultivation and Planting Techniques

SummarySite selection and fertilization: Choose loose, fertile soil with good drainage and irrigation conditions for planting, then apply sufficient base fertilizer. Thinning and final spacing: For directly sown Atractylodes lancea, thin the seedlings when they grow to 5-6cm, and set the final spacing when the seedlings grow to 10-15cm. Cultivation and weeding: Weed regularly and loosen the soil shallowly as appropriate. Timely watering: Keep the soil moist before and after emergence; water immediately to protect the seedlings after the soil thaws in early spring. Reasonable topdressing: Fertilize during the seedling stage, in June-July, and in October.

I. Propagation Methods of Atractylodes lancea

1. Seed propagation

Seedlings are generally raised at the end of April. First select a good seedbed, then sow by drilling or broadcasting. The sowing rate is about 3-4 kg per mu. After sowing, cover with a layer of grass, remove the grass after the seedlings emerge, and transplant when the seedlings grow to about 10cm.

2. Division propagation

In mid-to-late May, when the buds of Atractylodes lancea are just about to sprout, dig out the old seedlings with roots, shake off the soil, then cut the rhizomes into several small pieces each with 1-3 buds, and they can be transplanted.

3. Rhizome propagation

Cut off the bud-bearing portions of the harvested rhizomes. After the cut surfaces are dried, plant them in holes at a row spacing of about 20cm and a plant spacing of about 20cm, with one piece per hole, then cover with soil and press firm.

II. Planting Techniques for Atractylodes lancea

1. Site selection and fertilization

The seedling bed for Atractylodes lancea should be selected as fertile, loose, sunny, deep sandy loam or humus loam with good drainage and irrigation. Apply about 2000 kg of farmyard manure per mu, usually using the large-ridge high-bed technique.

2. Thinning and final spacing

When directly sown Atractylodes lancea seedlings grow to 5-6cm, thinning can begin. When the seedlings grow to 10-15cm, set the final spacing at about 15-20cm between plants and about 25cm between rows. For hole sowing, keep about 2-3 strong seedlings per hole, and about 12,000-15,000 seedlings can be transplanted per mu.

3. Cultivation and weeding

Strengthen management during the seedling stage of Atractylodes lancea, weed regularly, and loosen the soil shallowly as appropriate. After transplanting, cultivate and weed about 3-4 times per year, loosen the soil once every 2 months, and this can be done together with earthing up and fertilizing.

4. Timely watering

Before and after emergence, Atractylodes lancea must be kept in moist soil, which helps increase the emergence rate and promote seedling growth. After the soil thaws in early spring, water immediately to protect the seedlings. Water promptly in dry seasons. Once the plants have grown, watering is no longer needed.

5. Reasonable topdressing

During the seedling stage of Atractylodes lancea, apply about 2000 kg of decomposed dilute farmyard manure per mu. In June-July, apply about 2500-3000 kg of decomposed farmyard manure as topdressing, together with about 15 kg of superphosphate. In October, open furrows between rows and fertilize, mainly with decomposed compost or stable manure. After fertilizing, water and cover with soil.

6. Bud removal and seed retention

The seed production field for Atractylodes lancea is generally chosen on fertile, loose soil. At the bud stage, properly remove flower buds to prevent nutrient loss and better cultivate superior seeds and seedlings.

7. Timely harvesting

Atractylodes lancea can generally be harvested about 3-4 years after sowing or 2-3 years after transplanting. In spring or autumn, after the underground stems and leaves have withered, dig out the rhizomes on a sunny day.