A Detailed Guide to the Entire Growing Process of Lycopus lucidus from Sowing to Harvest
SummaryGrowing methods: Lycopus lucidus can be grown from rhizomes or from seed. For rhizome planting, cut tender rhizomes into segments of about 12 cm, plant 3 segments per hole, cover with soil, firm it down and water thoroughly. For seed planting, sow in rows after Qingming Festival. Field management: during the seedling stage, carry out intertillage and weeding; when the seedlings grow to 32 cm, ridge up the soil in time and water appropriately; during the growing period, mainly apply decomposed farmyard manure; after the first harvest, apply a top dressing; after 2 consecutive years of growing, the plants need to be replanted.
I. Sowing at the Right Time
1. Rhizome planting method
After harvesting Lycopus lucidus, select robust tender rhizomes, cut them into segments of about 12 cm, then plant them at a suitable density. About 3 rhizome segments can be placed in each planting hole. After planting, cover with soil and press down gently, then water the soil thoroughly to promote sprouting of the rhizomes.
2. Seed planting method
Select robust, disease-free seeds and sow them in rows around Qingming Festival. As with the rhizome planting method, after sowing, cover with soil and firm it down in time. However, the germination rate of seed planting is not as high as that of rhizome planting, generally only about 55%. During this period, keep the soil temperature at about 18°C, and after about 9 days, roots and sprouts will form.
II. Field Management
1. After sowing and emergence, seedling management should be done well. During the seedling stage, carry out intertillage and weeding in time, which helps promote robust seedling growth and thus increases the survival rate. When the seedlings grow to about 32 cm, ridge up the soil in time. After ridging, stop weeding and water appropriately, which helps keep the soil moist.
2. During this period, apply top dressing according to the growth of the seedlings and the nutrient content of the soil. The first top dressing can be applied when the seedlings grow to about 12 cm, and another top dressing should also be applied after the first harvest. Mainly apply decomposed farmyard manure. After more than 2 consecutive years of growing, when the plants are relatively lush, replanting is needed, which helps reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases.
III. Pest and Disease Control
Common pests and diseases of Lycopus lucidus include borers and rust, among others. Whether disease or pest damage occurs, if control is not carried out in time, it will seriously affect the robust growth of the plants, so preventive measures need to be taken to avoid the occurrence of pests and diseases.
After harvest, promptly remove diseased and damaged branches from the field, and plow the land for disinfection, which helps reduce overwintering eggs and pathogens and lower the incidence rate. If rust is found during this period, washing powder mixed with Ferbam can be used for control.
IV. Harvesting at the Right Time
The harvest time of Lycopus lucidus depends on the planting time. Based on normal sowing time, the harvest time is generally in summer and autumn each year. In summer and autumn, the branches and leaves of Lycopus lucidus grow relatively densely, so before flowering, promptly remove weeds above ground to prevent the weeds from competing for the nutrients needed for the growth of Lycopus lucidus.
During this period, the harvest time can be decided according to the planting region. Generally, in southern regions, harvesting is done after Qingming Festival. Lycopus lucidus can grow continuously, and generally at least more than 2 harvests can be made each year. However, for plots where the rhizomes are used as medicine or kept as seed rhizomes, the above-ground parts should not be harvested, otherwise they will not grow again.