How to plant mugwort seeds? A detailed guide to mugwort cultivation techniques

Mugwort is a herbaceous plant, and it is currently distributed in many places in our country. Because of its strong efficacy, mugwort is deeply loved by consumers, and many people now grow mugwort. However, before planting, what everyone is probably most concerned about is its cultivation techniques, right? Let's learn about them together below!

How to plant mugwort seeds

1. Seed cultivation techniques: When the fruit is ripe, pick the fruit, spread it out to dry, thresh, sieve, and winnow away impurities. Put the seeds in cloth bags and store them in a cool, dry place. The seeds have a short lifespan and lose their germination ability after one summer, so the timing needs to be grasped well.

2. Seed planting techniques: The sowing time for seeds should be in early spring each year. In the south, February to March; in the north, March to April. They can be direct-sown or raised as seedlings and transplanted. For direct sowing, the row spacing is 40-50 cm. After sowing, the soil covering should not be too thick; 0.5 cm is appropriate, or just enough to cover the seeds. If the soil covering is too thick, it is difficult for the seeds to emerge. After emergence, pay attention to loosening the soil, weeding, and thinning. When the seedlings are 10-15 cm tall, thin them to a final spacing of 20-30 cm between plants. The spacing between seedlings is the key to ensuring their growth.

Mugwort cultivation techniques

1. Planting density. The planting time is February to March each year. When planting, pay attention to seedling height, generally 5-10 cm. Choose a time when the ground is moist (preferably after rain or on a cloudy day), separate seedlings from the stem base of the mother plant, and plant them at a spacing of 30 cm × 40 cm, with 2-3 plants per hole, then cover with soil and press firmly. If there is no rain within 2-3 d after planting, drip water to preserve soil moisture. Plant 150 plants/m2, with an average dry mugwort leaf yield of 4 g per plant, and a single yield of about 5250 kg/hm2 of dry mugwort leaves. Just grasp this degree.

2. Field plowing and preparation. In early April each year, carry out 1 intertillage and weeding to a depth of 15 cm. In early to mid-June, after harvesting Qiai mugwort, turn and sun the garden plot, remove residual branches and fallen leaves, and thin out overly dense stem bases and perennial roots to a depth of 15 cm. This can ensure that it is not attacked by diseases and insect pests.

3. Fertilizer application. After mugwort planting survives, when the seedlings are 30 cm tall, apply 90 kg/hm2 of urea as a seedling-promoting fertilizer, broadcast it on rainy days, and spray it on the leaves on sunny days. In early November, apply farmyard manure, stable manure, cake fertilizer, etc. as base fertilizer. When fertilizing, pay attention to the amount; too much is also not acceptable.

4. Water management. When watering mugwort, there must never be standing water. In dry seasons, use leaf-surface sprinkler irrigation when the seedlings are below 80 cm tall, and flood irrigation of the whole garden when the seedlings are above 80 cm tall. In addition, water appropriately once a month.

Precautions for growing mugwort

1. Pest control: Mugwort is very susceptible to pest attack. Common pests generally include aphids, scale insects, and red spiders. Once pests appear, they will affect its growth and also cause damage to branches and leaves. After discovery, they should be caught promptly or controlled by spraying pesticides.

2. Propagation: Mugwort generally has two propagation methods, rhizome propagation and seed propagation. Before sowing, it is best to apply sufficient base fertilizer, and when watering, do not allow standing water, so as to avoid diseases. Management after propagation is also very important.

The methods for growing mugwort are actually not difficult. When planting, you must do a good job of selecting seeds, and then plant at the appropriate time. The planting density needs to be well controlled, and fertilizing, watering, and preventing pests and diseases are all inevitable factors in ensuring its growth, so management must be strengthened.