Detailed Guide to Ophiopogon japonicus Planting Techniques and Field Management
When it comes to Ophiopogon japonicus, I believe everyone is fairly familiar with it! Ophiopogon japonicus is a relatively common medicinal herb in our daily lives, with good effects on preventing and treating certain ailments. So do you know how Ophiopogon japonicus is planted? Let's find out together below!
Ophiopogon japonicus Planting Techniques
1. Seedling preparation and treatment. Ophiopogon japonicus is propagated by division. In Sichuan around Qingming, and in Zhejiang from Lixia to Mangzhong, when digging up Ophiopogon japonicus, select plants with dark green color and robust growth, cut off the tuberous roots and fibrous roots, divide into individual plants, trim off residual fibrous roots, cut off part of the stem base (to the extent that a white core appears at the cut surface of the rhizome and the leaves do not spread apart), and plant immediately. If planting cannot be done in time, the seedlings must be "nursed": soak the stem bases of the seedlings in clean water for a moment so they absorb enough moisture, then stand them upright in bundles on loosened soil already dug in a shady spot, and cover with soil around them for storage. If the temperature is too high, water once a day or every other day. The nursing period should not exceed 7 days.
2. Planting. In Sichuan in April, in Zhejiang in May, choose a sunny or cloudy day to carry out. Sichuan adopts furrow drilling: row spacing about 15 cm, depth about 5 cm. First apply diluted pig manure water into the furrow, then plant seedlings at a plant spacing of 6-9 cm, with 3 plants per clump; after planting, cover with soil, press firmly, and tamp down so that the seedlings stand upright and stable, achieving level ground and upright seedlings. Zhejiang adopts hole planting: hole depth 3-5 cm, row spacing 25 cm, plant spacing 15 cm, with 9-10 seedlings per hole. Cover the base and press firmly.
Field Management of Ophiopogon japonicus
1. Intertillage and weeding: Ophiopogon japonicus is a fibrous-rooted plant and needs loose soil, strictly preventing compaction. From planting to harvesting, loosen the soil and weed in a timely manner after watering or rain. From May to July, weeds grow quickly and vigorously, so weeding should be carried out promptly along with loosening the soil; loosening should be shallow to avoid damaging the roots, and the field should be kept free of weeds throughout the growing period.
2. Timely topdressing: Ophiopogon japonicus has a long growing period and a high fertilizer demand. Generally starting in May each year, topdress 3-4 times along with loosening the soil, mainly with farmyard manure, supplemented with a small amount of compound fertilizer.
3. Reasonable irrigation and drainage: After planting Ophiopogon japonicus, keep the soil moist at all times to facilitate seedling emergence. From July to August, irrigation can be used to lower temperature and protect the roots, but waterlogging should be avoided, so irrigation water and rainwater should be drained promptly.
Pest and Disease Control
The main disease of Ophiopogon japonicus is black spot, which is severe during the rainy season. Control methods: select robust, disease-free plants as seed plants, and soak them in 1:1:100 Bordeaux mixture for 5 minutes before planting; drain accumulated water promptly during the rainy season to reduce field humidity; in the early stage of disease, sprinkle 100 kg of plant ash per mu in the early morning when the dew has not dried; during the disease period, spray 1:1:100 Bordeaux mixture or 65% zineb 500-fold solution once every 10 days for 3-4 consecutive times.
The main pest of Ophiopogon japonicus is root-knot nematode. Control methods: practice rotation with gramineous crops; do not choose sweet potato, cowpea, potato or other root vegetables as the previous crop or intercrop; combined with land preparation, apply 20% methyl isothiophos emulsion or 5% granules at 250-300 g per mu, make into poisoned soil and spread in the furrow, then turn into the soil to control nematodes. White grubs occur in August-September and can be killed by spraying 90% trichlorfon 200-fold solution.
Growth Characteristics
It prefers a warm and humid climate. In the main producing areas of Sichuan and Zhejiang, the annual average temperature is between 16-17°C, and the annual rainfall is above 1000 mm. It is slightly cold-tolerant; at a low temperature of -10°C in winter, the plants will not suffer freezing damage, but growth and development are inhibited, affecting tuberous root growth. In mountainous areas or North China where the annual temperature is relatively low, although it can still grow well, the tuberous roots are smaller and fewer. It is suitable for slight shade; under strong sunlight, the leaves turn yellow, which is unfavorable for growth and development. But too much shade easily causes excessive growth of the aboveground part, which is also unfavorable for growth and development. Drought and waterlogged accumulation both have significantly adverse effects on the growth and development of Ophiopogon japonicus. It is suitable for loam and sandy loam with loose texture, fertility and good drainage; soil that is too sandy or too clayey is not suitable for cultivating Ophiopogon japonicus. Continuous cropping for 3 years or more should be avoided; it must be rotated for 3-4 years before planting again.
As described above, Ophiopogon japonicus has a very wide range of uses. In particular, some health-care and wellness products processed from Ophiopogon japonicus on the market are very popular and sought after by consumers, with extremely high economic value. The benefits and prospects of planting Ophiopogon japonicus are quite good!