Artificial Cultivation and Planting Methods for Houttuynia cordata

Houttuynia cordata, also known as ceyuergen, jicai, choucao, yulincao, goutieer, etc., is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Houttuynia in the family Saururaceae. It is cold in nature, pungent and bitter in taste, has antibacterial and antiviral, heat-clearing and detoxifying effects, and has edible value and medicinal value.

1. Growth Habits and Environmental Requirements Under natural conditions, it often grows wild in shaded mountain areas, along forest edges and roadsides, and in grass clumps beside ditches and low-lying areas. It prefers a warm and humid climate and grows well under shady and moist conditions. It is averse to drought and has a wide range of temperature adaptability. Its underground stems overwinter and will not freeze to death at -10 to 0°C. When the temperature is 12°C, the underground stems grow and can sprout. In the early growth stage, it requires 16 to 20°C, and in the underground stem maturation stage, it requires 20 to 25°C. Houttuynia cordata prefers moisture and tolerates waterlogging. It requires moist soil, with field soil water-holding capacity of 75% to 80%. The soil should be slightly acidic, pH 6 to 7. It is not strict about soil requirements, and fertile sandy loam and humus loam are best, but clayey soil can also support its growth. Fertilization should be mainly nitrogen fertilizer, with appropriate application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer. Under conditions of sufficient organic matter, the underground stems grow thick and strong.

2. Site Selection and Bed Preparation Choose plots with loose, fertile soil and convenient drainage and irrigation. If paddy fields are used, plow and sun-dry the field in winter, apply 2000 to 4000 kg of decomposed organic fertilizer and 25 kg of compound fertilizer per 667 sq m, plow and break up the soil and level it, and make beds 1.3 to 1.5 m wide and 30 cm high, with length determined by the terrain, and ditch spacing of 30 to 40 cm. Plant on the bed surface.

3. Planting Houttuynia cordata can be propagated by seed, but root division propagation is more commonly used. Planting can be done in spring and autumn, but spring is better. Planting methods can be hole planting or strip planting. Apply organic fertilizer into the holes or trenches, cover with 2 to 3 cm of fine soil, select disease-free and pest-free, thick underground stems and cut them into 4 to 6 cm short sections, each with 2 to 3 nodes, place them flat in the planting holes or trenches, with plant spacing of 5 to 8 cm, then cover with soil about 5 to 6 cm thick. If the soil is dry, spray water to settle the roots and keep the soil moist.

4. Fertilization Houttuynia cordata mainly uses nitrogen and potassium fertilizers, with a relatively low requirement for phosphorus, but it cannot be lacking. When the seedlings emerge to about 3 cm high, the first topdressing can be applied. Use 1 part decomposed human manure and urine mixed with 4 to 5 parts water, add 2% urea in the manure liquid, and apply by watering. In the middle and late stages, production enters the vigorous growth period, and fertilizer demand increases accordingly. On the basis of ensuring nitrogen fertilizer, apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer in combination, especially potassium fertilizer, which is particularly important for rhizome formation.

5. Field Management In Houttuynia cordata production, intertillage and weeding should be carried out in combination with fertilization. Field management should be strengthened in the middle and late stages. The soil should be kept moist throughout the growth period. Water should be applied timely during drought, and accumulated water should be drained timely during the rainy season. Weed and loosen the soil before row closure. After row closure, combine promotion and control. When the aboveground parts grow excessively, pick the tender stems and leaves timely. When the aboveground stems and leaves turn yellow and become small, apply appropriate topdressing to promote tillering. If the plants are not being kept for seed, remove emerging flower buds timely to avoid consuming large amounts of nutrients through flowering.

6. Pest and Disease Control The stems and leaves of Houttuynia cordata both have a fishy odor, so there are rarely insect pests, but diseases include southern blight, leaf spot, etc. Control methods: 1) Choose reasonable crop rotation, preferably paddy-upland rotation; 2) Choose loose and fertile soil with convenient drainage and irrigation; 3) Strictly select seed, and remove diseased seed stems. 4) Strengthen field management. Pay attention to drainage during continuous rainy seasons, and pay attention to irrigation during drought; 5) In the early stage of disease occurrence, choose mancozeb, chlorothalonil, thiophanate-methyl, etc. for spraying or root drenching.

7. Harvesting Houttuynia cordata can be dug and eaten throughout the year. In spring and summer, pick tender stems and leaves; in autumn and winter, dig underground stems. Artificially cultivated Houttuynia cordata can harvest tender stems and leaves 2 to 3 times. One week after each harvest, diluted human manure and urine or biogas slurry plus an appropriate amount of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer can be applied by watering. When harvesting underground stems, leave a portion or the cut ends. When the temperature rises the following year, they will sprout and emerge. Timely carry out management such as weeding, soil loosening, thinning seedlings, and topdressing. In this way, continuous production can be maintained for many years.