How to Plant Dwarf Lilyturf (Ophiopogon japonicus)? Detailed Cultivation Methods and Techniques
Perhaps many people are not very familiar with dwarf lilyturf. Dwarf lilyturf is not the grass we see everywhere in daily life; it is a kind of Chinese herbal medicine with high medicinal value and very good effects on treating cough and other diseases. Let's learn about this grass together!
How to Plant Dwarf Lilyturf
Dwarf lilyturf (Ophiopogon japonicus), also known as lilyturf, ribbon grass, maidong, and cundong, is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant of the genus Ophiopogon in the family Liliaceae. Its fibrous roots are relatively thick and strong, and the tip or middle part of the root often swells into a spindle-shaped fleshy small tuber. The tuberous root is used as medicine. Dwarf lilyturf has high medicinal value and is often used for dry cough due to lung dryness, consumptive cough due to yin deficiency, throat impediment and sore throat, thirst due to fluid damage, internal heat and wasting thirst, restlessness and insomnia, and constipation due to intestinal dryness. Dwarf lilyturf is a perennial herb of the family Liliaceae that grows in clumps. It prefers a warm and humid climate and is suitable for loose, fertile loam and sandy loam with good drainage. Soil that is too sandy or too clayey is not suitable for cultivating dwarf lilyturf. How much do you know about dwarf lilyturf?
Preparation for Planting Dwarf Lilyturf
There are many varieties of dwarf lilyturf planted in various places. According to surveys, the Santai dwarf lilyturf variety developed in Sichuan has strong disease resistance and high yield. Excellent varieties can be selected in various places. When harvesting dwarf lilyturf, cut off the seedlings from the tuberous roots and select the robust ones for seed use. Use a knife to cut off the lower part of the rhizome and the fibrous roots, keeping the upper stem node part so that the leaves do not scatter. Its cross-section shows white radial patterns. The rhizome should not be kept too long, otherwise double stem nodes will occur after planting, fewer tuberous roots will grow, and the yield will be low.
Planting Methods for Dwarf Lilyturf
1. The suitable planting period for dwarf lilyturf is from late March to early April, while in Zhejiang it is planted from May to early June. When planting Sichuan dwarf lilyturf, first open furrows at a row spacing of 10-13 cm, about 5-6 cm deep. In the furrow, place 2-4 seedlings every 6-8 cm, placing them vertically in the furrow, then fill the shallow furrow with soil, press with a flat hoe or tread with the foot, and compact the covering soil on both sides of the seedlings. Immediately after planting, irrigate thoroughly once.
2. For planting Zhejiang dwarf lilyturf, first use a planting knife to cut the soil and open furrows. For two-year harvest, the row and plant spacing is 20 cm * 16 cm; for three-year harvest, the row and plant spacing is 26-33 cm * 20-23 cm. Plant 8-9 seedlings per hole. The base of the same clump of seedlings should be neat and inserted vertically into the soil, then press the soil firmly, about 4 cm deep.
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 carried out according to the growth conditions of dwarf lilyturf. Generally, topdressing is done more than 3 times: the first time in mid-July, the second time in early August, and the third time in early November. When topdressing, nitrogen fertilizer should not be excessive, so as to avoid excessive vegetative growth of the aboveground part. In Zhejiang production areas, in addition to base fertilizer, some superphosphate is applied in the holes during planting and mixed 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.
Field Management of Dwarf Lilyturf
In the main production areas of dwarf lilyturf, the majority of medicinal herb growers habitually intercrop in dwarf lilyturf fields. This not only increases income but also benefits the growth of dwarf lilyturf, as intercropping can reduce direct exposure to the hot sun. Dwarf lilyturf plants are short; if weeds are not removed frequently, they will grow and hinder the growth of dwarf lilyturf. Weeding should be done once half a month after planting. From May to October, weeds are likely to grow, so weeding is needed 1-2 times per month. After winter begins, there are fewer weeds, so the frequency of weeding can be reduced. Weeding should be combined with intertillage.
Although many people are not very familiar with dwarf lilyturf, I hope the information introduced here can be helpful for your planting. As long as you grasp the suitable timing and apply reasonable fertilization when planting dwarf lilyturf, the effect of increasing its yield is relatively obvious.