Gynostemma Planting Methods and Key Techniques

When Gynostemma (Jiaogulan) is mentioned, most people probably do not know much about it. In fact, Gynostemma is a fine tea with many benefits for the human body; in addition, it can also be used as medicine, so the whole plant is a treasure, and it is cultivated in many regions. So what are the techniques for planting Gynostemma?

1. Land preparation and fertilization:

Choose a shady spot with good drainage and irrigation and fertile soil if possible. After choosing the land, plow and harrow it finely to loosen the soil, make the beds, and make later management and harvesting easier. Then apply sufficient base fertilizer and disinfect the soil. The base fertilizer is mainly farmyard manure, combined with an appropriate amount of lime. Pay attention to the fertilizer amount: farmyard manure is about 650kg per mu, and lime about 25kg, to ensure Gynostemma has enough nutrients for growth.

2. Sowing and raising seedlings:

(1) Seed selection: Gynostemma seeds that are gray and dull with spots indicate that the seeds are relatively mature and have strong germination capacity; pick out the light-colored immature seeds. Fresh seeds have a very high germination rate, so when selecting seeds we must pay attention to how fresh they are. Seeds stored for 6 months basically cannot germinate.

(2) Sowing time: spring and autumn each year. These two seasons are relatively warm and suitable for seed germination and seedling emergence.

(3) Sowing: sow the seeds evenly into the soil, then cover with soil to keep warm. Under normal management, seedlings emerge in 8-12 days, and after the seedlings have grown for about one and a half months they can be transplanted and set out.

3. Field management techniques:

(1) Water and fertilizer management: 5-7 days after successful planting, topdressing should begin, and later topdress in good time according to the plant's growth. As for watering, keep the soil moist, but pay attention to the amount of water; never allow waterlogging. If there is a lot of rain, excessive water may cause the plants' roots to burn.

(2) Pest and disease control: During the growth period, Gynostemma may suffer from powdery mildew, leaf spot, southern blight, cutworms and other pests and diseases, so preventive measures should be taken in advance. For those already affected by pests or diseases, apply the appropriate treatment in good time.

4. Timely harvesting:

The best time to harvest Gynostemma is before flowering and fruiting, when the plants are about 1-8 m tall. This is because before flowering the nutrient content in the plants is at its highest, and at this time the color, aroma, flavor and quality of the plants are at their peak. When harvesting, be careful to leave the roots, because Gynostemma is a regenerating plant, and after leaving the roots it can regrow from the old stubble.

Overall, Gynostemma is still quite easy to grow. As long as you choose good land, select good seeds, and do a good job with water and fertilizer management, pest and disease control, and so on, it will be fine.