How to Plant Agastache rugosa Seeds? Planting Methods and Precautions

Agastache rugosa (Korean mint) has been used in China for a very long time. Perhaps because most regions of China are inland, people have had more opportunities to use and understand plants, which is why there is such a systematic understanding of plant uses and effects. With the passage of time, this plant, once a wild herb of the countryside, has gradually become something people cultivate.

How to plant Agastache rugosa

Agastache rugosa prefers high temperatures and a sunny environment; it grows poorly in shaded places. Areas with an annual average temperature of 19-26°C are more suitable for its growth. When the temperature is above 35°C or below 16°C, growth slows or stops. It likes to grow in humid, rainy environments and is afraid of drought, requiring annual rainfall of more than 1600 ml. It is not strict about soil and can grow in general soils, but deep, fertile, loose sandy loam or loam is best. It is afraid of waterlogging; when planted in low-lying land prone to water accumulation, the roots rot easily and the plant dies. Seeds remain viable for 2-4 years, so seeds from the previous year can be sown. Seed germination requires light conditions, the optimum germination temperature is 18-22°C, and germination takes 7-10 days.

Agastache rugosa Seed Planting Methods and Precautions

1. Broadcast sowing: Mix the seeds with fine sand or plant ash, spread them evenly over the seedbed surface, pat the bed surface gently with a thin board so that the seeds make close contact with the bed surface, and cover with 1 cm of soil. Drilling: Open shallow furrows along the bed at a row spacing of 25-30 cm, with a furrow depth of 1-1.5 cm, water thoroughly, mix the seeds with fine sand and sow them evenly into the furrows, cover with 1 cm of soil, and press lightly.

2. Sowing rate for raising seedlings: 2-4 g/m2, with 500-800 g of seed used per 667 m2 of field. Finally, cover the bed surface with plastic film to keep warm and moist.

3. Planting out: When the seedlings are 12-15 cm tall with 4-6 true leaves, plant them at a spacing of 25 cm between plants and 40 m between rows on a cloudy day, watering with dilute manure water; plant 6-7 thousand plants per 667 m2, and water thoroughly with rooting water after planting.

4. Thinning and filling in seedlings: After sowing Agastache rugosa, when the temperature is 13-18°C and soil moisture is suitable, seedlings emerge in 10-12 days. When the seedlings are 10-12 cm tall, thin them, removing the weak and keeping the strong. For drilling, seedlings can be fixed at a spacing of 10-12 cm between plants, with the two rows staggered. For hole sowing, keep 3-4 strong seedlings per hole.

5. Timely planting out: When Agastache rugosa seedlings are 12-15 cm tall with 4-6 true leaves, plant them at a spacing of 25 cm between plants and 40 cm between rows on a cloudy day, watering with dilute manure water; plant 6-7 thousand plants per mu, and water thoroughly with rooting water after planting. If missing plants are found after they survive, fill in the seedlings on a cloudy day.

6. Topdressing management: For the first topdressing of Agastache rugosa, after loosening the soil when the seedlings are 3 cm tall, apply 1.5-2 kg of decomposed dilute human and livestock manure water per square meter; thereafter, apply it when the seedlings are 7-10 cm, 15-20 cm, and 25-30 cm tall respectively. Water after fertilizing, and stop topdressing after the rows close.

7. Drainage and drought resistance: Agastache rugosa likes a slightly moist soil environment. After sowing and transplanting, if there is drought without rain, water (irrigate) promptly to protect the seedlings against drought. In rainy weather and after irrigation, clear the ditches and drain promptly to prevent water accumulation, which causes root rot.

8. Timely harvest: Harvest Agastache rugosa by picking tender stems and leaves and young seedlings from April to June, or harvesting at full bloom from July to August. On a sunny day, cut the plants level with the ground, then sun-dry, heated-dry, or shade-dry them. The yield is 4500-7500 kg per hectare. Those with green stems and branches, dryness, many leaves, and a rich aroma are considered best.

Common Pest and Disease Control of Agastache rugosa

1. Ring spot disease. It occurs from spring to autumn. Before onset, spray a 200-fold solution of non-toxic high-fat film; in the early stage of onset, spray a 500-1000-fold solution of 50% carbendazim; at the end of autumn, remove diseased residue to reduce sources of infection.

2. Brown spot disease. It occurs in Northeast China from July to August; control measures are the same as for ring spot disease.

3. Spot blight. It occurs in Northeast China from June to August; control methods are the same as for ring spot disease.

4. Root rot. Drain accumulated water promptly. When diseased plants are found, pull them out and destroy them promptly, and disinfect the diseased holes with lime or drench them with a 500-fold solution of 50% carbendazim.

5. Aphids. Spray with a 1000-1500-fold solution of 40% dimethoate emulsifiable concentrate.

6. Red spider mites. They occur most severely from June to August in dry weather; spray to kill with a 1500-2000-fold solution of 40% dimethoate emulsifiable concentrate.

7. Silver-striped leaf moth. From May to October, the larvae bite and eat the leaves. Spray to kill with a 1000-fold solution of 90% crystallized trichlorfon.

Perennial Root Propagation of Agastache rugosa

The advantage of transplanting perennial roots is that they survive extremely easily; the perennial roots can sprout around May of the following year. Use scissors to cut off the dead aboveground stems close to the ground, then water once with dilute manure water to promote growth. When the seedlings are about 9-15 cm tall, dig them up on a rainy or cloudy day and transplant them to the field with soil. Control a reasonable spacing between plants and rows when transplanting. After planting, immediately water once with dilute manure water to help them survive. Perennial root transplants begin to flower from late June to early July; those sown in spring of the same year flower in mid-July.

For large-scale cultivation of Agastache rugosa, sowing is mostly used, but this is not the only propagation method for Agastache rugosa. The perennial root propagation and cutting propagation in this article are both very suitable for Agastache rugosa, so the method of planting Agastache rugosa can be appropriately adjusted according to the actual environmental conditions we are in.