How to Plant Dwarf Lilyturf (Ophiopogon japonicus)? Detailed Guide to Cultivation Methods and Key Technical Points

The taste of dwarf lilyturf (Ophiopogon japonicus) is somewhat bitter, but its efficacy is very strong; eating dwarf lilyturf has the benefits of lowering blood sugar, lowering blood pressure, and moistening the lungs to quench thirst. At present, dwarf lilyturf sells very well on the market, so many people want to grow it to increase their economic returns. So the first step is to understand its cultivation techniques.

How to Plant Dwarf Lilyturf

1. Growth habits: Dwarf lilyturf prefers a warm and humid environment. A loose, fertile, well-drained sandy loam soil is better. During the early growth stage, appropriate shading is needed; if exposed to direct strong light, the leaves turn yellow and growth and development are affected. It can tolerate low temperatures of 0 degrees C, and tolerates moisture and fertilizer.

2. Site selection and land preparation: Choose a sandy loam soil that is convenient for irrigation and drainage and is loose and fertile. After plowing and harrowing several times, apply 2000-3000 kg of farmyard manure per mu, rake it evenly and form beds, with a bed width of 1-1.2 m and a height of about 20 cm.

3. Division propagation: Around Qingming, dig out the old plants, cut off the tuberous roots, fibrous roots and old rhizomes, divide the clustered plants into individual plants, and cut off 1/3 of the leaf length, just enough that the leaves do not fall apart. First soak the seedlings in clean water for 10-15 minutes, then open holes for planting at a plant-row spacing of 16 cm X 26 cm, planting 4-6 seedlings per hole at a depth of about 3 cm, and water with settled-root water after planting.

How to Grow Dwarf Lilyturf

1. Planting time: The suitable planting period for Sichuan dwarf lilyturf is from late March to early April, while in Zhejiang it is planted from May to early June.

2. Planting method: When planting Sichuan dwarf lilyturf, first open furrows at a row spacing of 10-13 cm, about 5-6 cm deep, place 2-4 seedlings every 6-8 cm in the furrow, place them vertically in the furrow, then fill the shallow furrow with soil, press with a flat hoe or step with the foot, and compact the covering soil on both sides of the seedlings. Immediately after planting, irrigate thoroughly once, requiring about 10500 kg of seedlings per hectare. For planting Zhejiang dwarf lilyturf, first use a planting knife to cut the soil and open furrows. For a two-year harvest, the row-plant spacing is 20 cm * 16 cm; for a 3-year harvest, the row-plant spacing is 26-33 cm * 20-23 cm, planting 8-9 seedlings per hole. The base of the same cluster of seedlings should be neat and inserted vertically into the soil, then press the soil above, at a depth of about 4 cm.

3. Reasonable intercropping: In the main dwarf lilyturf production areas, the majority of medicinal herb growers are accustomed to intercropping in dwarf lilyturf fields, which not only increases income but also benefits dwarf lilyturf growth; intercropping can reduce direct sunlight. In the Sichuan production area, in summer and autumn, two seasons of corn are generally interplanted (one row of corn for every 6 rows of dwarf lilyturf), and in winter garlic and other crops are interplanted.

4. Watering to keep seedlings alive: Dwarf lilyturf prefers moist soil, especially immediately after planting, when it should be thoroughly watered so that the soil and the base of the seedlings are fully in contact, which helps early rooting and survival. Water once again after several days. Generally, it can turn green in 15 days. After that, water in a timely manner according to soil moisture, and in the rainy season drain accumulated water from the field in time to prevent root rot.

How to Fertilize Dwarf Lilyturf

Dwarf lilyturf has a relatively long growth period and requires more fertilizer. In addition to applying sufficient base fertilizer, timely topdressing should also be done according to its growth conditions. Generally, topdress more than 3 times: the first time in mid-July, the second time in early August, and the third time in early November. During topdressing, nitrogen fertilizer should not be excessive, so as to avoid excessive vegetative growth of the aboveground part. In the Zhejiang production area, in addition to base fertilizer, apply some superphosphate in the holes during planting and mix it into the soil to increase yield. Spring and autumn are the periods when tuberous roots expand and rhizomes elongate and increase, and at the same time tillering is vigorous; at this time, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be applied heavily.

Pest Control of Dwarf Lilyturf

1. Mole crickets. Commonly known as "earth dogs." Both adults and nymphs can cause damage by biting and eating seedling roots. Three generations occur per year, overwintering as adults or nymphs. They begin to appear in March-April of the second year. They are mostly active at night, like to fly, and have phototaxis and coprophagy. Control methods: (1) Before planting, in combination with land preparation, use 0.5 kg of 50% phoxim emulsifiable concentrate per mu, add water to make an 800-fold solution, spray the soil surface, and turn the surface medicinal soil into the ground. (2) During the dwarf lilyturf growth period, use 3 kg of 5% phoxim granules or 3 kg of 5% isofenphos-methyl granules per mu, mix with 20-30 kg of fine soil, mix evenly and scatter on the bed soil surface. (3) Use aromatic substances for trapping and killing.

2. White grubs. They generally occur in August-September, damaging roots and seedlings and affecting growth. They can be sprayed and killed with a 200-fold solution of 90% trichlorfon.

As long as you master the planting method of dwarf lilyturf, it is still quite simple to grow. Before planting, you need to understand its growth habits, and then choose an appropriate time for planting. After planting, timely additional fertilization is also required. Dwarf lilyturf is also easily attacked by pests, so pest control work must also be done well.