How to grow Chinese medicinal herbs? A detailed explanation of the key points of Chinese medicinal herb cultivation techniques

The cultivation of Chinese medicinal herbs mainly includes 5 processes: plot selection, propagation, field management, pest and disease control, and harvesting. The propagation methods of different Chinese medicinal herbs vary somewhat; for example, some Chinese medicinal herbs are propagated by sowing seeds, while others are propagated by stem tubers, but the subsequent management techniques are the same.

1. Plot selection

Plots of loam or sandy loam soil should be selected for planting, with deep soil layers, loose and fertile soil texture, strong water and fertilizer retention capacity, rich in humus, good drainage conditions, and certain irrigation conditions.

2. Land preparation and fertilization

Deep plowing to improve the soil, formula fertilization, and increased application of organic fertilizer. The roots of medicinal herbs go relatively deep into the soil, especially for root-used medicinal herbs, where roots can reach a depth of 50 cm. In order to enhance the soil's water and fertilizer retention capacity, expand the root absorption range and growth space, and promote high yield and high quality of medicinal herbs, after selecting a good plot, large-scale deep plowing should generally be carried out to break through the plow pan, deepen the active soil layer, and achieve deep plowing and fine preparation, so that the entire plow layer is permeable, fine, level, and firm; combined with land preparation, raised beds should be made so that the depth of the entire plow layer is not less than 30 cm, which both deepens the active soil layer and facilitates drainage, ensuring the stable yield of Chinese medicinal herbs. The fertilization of medicinal plants should grasp the following principles:

① Mainly farmyard manure, combined with the application of chemical fertilizers;

② Mainly basal fertilizer, with appropriate application of topdressing;

③ Comprehensive application of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium formula fertilization. Basal fertilizer can be applied in combination with deep plowing, applying fully decomposed barnyard manure or farmyard manure at 4.5×10~6.0×10 kg/hm2, superphosphate at 750 kg/hm2, and ammonium sulfate at 300 kg/hm2. Topdressing during the growth period should be carried out according to the growth period of the medicinal herb and the development status of the medicinal part. In general, to promote stem and leaf growth, more nitrogen fertilizer should be applied; during the fruit-setting period, attention should be paid to supplying comprehensive nutrition mainly based on nitrogen; during the expansion period of the medicinal part, on the basis of increased application of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers, the amount of potassium fertilizer should be increased.

3. Propagation methods

(1) Medicinal herbs directly sown from seed

First, do a good job of sowing with sufficient soil moisture, which is the key to ensuring full emergence after sowing. For plots with insufficient soil moisture, supplementary moisture should be provided before sowing to ensure full, uniform, even, and strong seedlings.

Second, strictly control the sowing rate. If the sowing rate is too large, it not only wastes seeds, but also easily produces old and weak seedlings, and later growth weakens, affecting yield. Generally, it is appropriate to arrange the sowing rate according to 5-6 times the number of retained plants.

(2) Medicinal herbs grown from seedlings and transplanted

① Do a good job of cultivating high-quality seedlings. By adopting measures such as selecting a suitable seedbed, grasping the seedling-raising period, selecting plump and mature seeds or robustly growing plants, and sowing or planting with sufficient moisture and fertilizer, cultivate robust seedlings. In production, the “autumn raising and spring planting method” is generally used.

② Strictly control the transplanting time. The timing of transplanting has a relatively large impact on medicinal herb production. If too early, it is prone to freezing damage; if too late, the growth period is shortened, affecting yield. Generally, transplanting should begin in early to mid-April.

③ Do a good job of grading seedlings. Plant them separately to prevent large seedlings from suppressing small seedlings, causing uneven growth and affecting yield.

④ 3.2.4. Strictly control transplanting density. If seedlings are too sparse, the population is insufficient and yield is affected; if seedlings are too dense, it is easy to cause field shading later, and even lodging, affecting yield and grade. In production, the appropriate transplanting density should be grasped according to the growth habits of the medicinal herb and the size of the seedlings.

4. Field management

(1) Timely thinning and final singling of seedlings, retaining strong seedlings, and ensuring full, even, and strong seedlings. Starting from June, do a good job of intertillage and weeding to reduce unnecessary nutrient consumption and reduce the incidence of pests and diseases.

(2) Scientific topdressing, reasonable drainage and irrigation

Carry out timely topdressing and drainage/irrigation according to the growth of the medicinal herbs and soil quality. Topdressing time: carry out the first topdressing in spring when the seedlings begin to grow; during the vigorous growth period of the medicinal herbs from June to August, apply 2-3 topdressings for growth; in early October, apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to promote the transport of nutrients and promote the development and fullness of the roots. After entering the flood season, strengthen the management of drainage facilities and drain water in time to prevent waterlogging. For medicinal herbs that need to overwinter and grow, in early October, combine fertilization with earthing up around the roots to facilitate overwintering of the rhizomes.

(3) Do a good job of pest and disease control

Underground pests can be controlled by broadcasting “812” or trichlorfon before planting. For the control of aboveground pests, low-toxicity and low-residue pesticides should be selected to reduce pesticide residues and ensure quality. Diseases mostly occur in the hot and rainy summer season, so attention should be paid to timely drainage and waterlogging prevention to reduce humidity. In the early stage of disease onset, use carbendazim, mancozeb, etc. for timely control.