When to sow Schizonepeta? A detailed guide to the best sowing time
Schizonepeta has a relatively strong ability to adapt to the environment and has relatively low environmental requirements, and quite a few farmers grow Schizonepeta. So when do you sow Schizonepeta?
1. When to sow Schizonepeta?
Schizonepeta can be sown in either spring or autumn. Spring sowing is generally from early March to early April, and autumn sowing is generally from September to October. The sowing time in the south and the north may differ, so sowing should be done according to the local climate conditions.
2. Schizonepeta cultivation techniques
1. Tillage: The main nutrients for growing Chinese medicinal herbs come from the soil, so site selection and tillage of the planting site are the basic conditions for successful cultivation. We not only need to consider the ecological environment it requires, but also need to consider the national standards for Chinese medicinal materials. We should choose flat, fertile, sunny soil with convenient drainage and irrigation that meets national planting standards in all respects. Next is to apply plenty of base fertilizer, mainly compost, barnyard manure and organic fertilizer. Prepare the land and make beds, forming flat beds or raised beds respectively according to differences in terrain.
2. Cultivation: Schizonepeta is generally sown in March and April in spring and in September and October in autumn, and the most commonly used propagation method is seed propagation. We need to select mature, plump seeds that are dark brown or brown in color and undamaged by pests and diseases, and sow them by broadcasting or drilling. Generally the row spacing is kept at about 20 cm; scatter the seeds evenly, then cover with soil to bury the seeds. Note that you should firm the soil with your feet and water appropriately to keep the soil moist, which can promote emergence of seedlings.
3. Field management: Generally it takes about ten days to half a month for seedlings to emerge. Our field management of Schizonepeta is generally divided into three stages, namely seedling-stage management, growth-stage management and late-growth-stage management. In the seedling stage of Schizonepeta, that is, when it is about 4 to 5 cm tall, one intertillage and weeding should be carried out, and when the seedlings grow to about 8 to 10 cm, then thinning and planting out need to begin. The distance between each plant is about 15 cm, and at the same time reasonable watering and fertilizing should be carried out, with nitrogen fertilizer as the main fertilizer. During the growth stage, intertillage and weeding are needed about every 20 days; when Schizonepeta grows to about 25 cm, a small amount of potassium fertilizer should be applied appropriately, and when it is 30 cm tall, cake fertilizer is mainly used, combined with phosphate fertilizer and potassium fertilizer. In the late growth stage, they just need to be allowed to grow naturally, and the growth of Schizonepeta should be maintained to improve the quality and yield of Schizonepeta.
4. Pest and disease control: The main diseases of Schizonepeta are root rot, damping-off, stem blight and black spot. We need to strengthen field management, carry out drainage in a timely manner, and enhance the resistance of the plants through fertilization; secondly, dexon, Bordeaux mixture, carbendazim and the like can be used respectively for control. The most common pests are cutworms, mole crickets, moths and so on. In the early stage of pest occurrence, we can use Bacillus thuringiensis emulsion, and when the pests are severe, pyrethroid pesticides need to be used for spraying and killing.
Schizonepeta has relatively high medicinal value and can be used to calm phlegm, dispel wind, stop vomiting and treat influenza, headache and fever. Some people also pick the tender leaves to stir-fry as a dish, and the benefits of growing it are quite good.