What kind of vegetable is Qingming cai? Introduction to its cultivation methods

Qingming cai, also known as field mugwort or cudweed, is a common wild vegetable found on hillsides, around houses, and in fields. It generally matures around the Qingming Festival and is deeply loved by people for its high medicinal value. So what kind of vegetable is Qingming cai? What are its cultivation methods?

1. What kind of vegetable is Qingming cai?

1. Qingming cai is an annual or biennial herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family and the Gnaphalium genus. The plant height is about 10-50cm. The stem is erect and has many branches, and the branches bear white cottony hairs and oblanceolate or spatulate leaves with pointed tips and narrow bases. The flowers are spherical and bell-shaped, with a total of 3 layers of golden-yellow bracts, and the fruit is oblong. It generally blooms from April to June and bears fruit from August to September.

2. Qingming cai is a wild vegetable with very high nutritional value. It is rich in carotene, vitamins, volatile oils, and more. It has antibacterial, blood pressure-lowering, and pain-relieving effects. Regular consumption can help clear heat and detoxify, lower blood pressure, and relieve cough. In general, patients with coughs, colds, favism, or abnormal vaginal discharge can eat it.

3. Qingming cai is a wild vegetable that grows everywhere during the Qingming period. Generally, in April each year, many people pick some to take home to make Qingming baba or cook soup, etc. The taste is very good and it can have a certain therapeutic effect.

2. What are the cultivation methods for Qingming cai?

1. Site selection and land preparation: What kind of land is suitable for planting?

Qingming cai is suitable for growing in fertile, moist environments, so it does not have high soil requirements. Generally, it can be planted on mountain land, garden land, or grassland. After selecting the site, deeply plow the soil and remove all kinds of weeds in the field. Make a small ditch at a row spacing of 1.5 m for later planting.

2. Sowing and raising seedlings: When is the best time to sow?

(1) Sowing time: It is best to sow from February to March.

(2) Sowing methods: Qingming cai can be sown in drills or broadcast. Broadcasting means evenly scattering the seeds on the seedbed, then covering with a thin layer of soil and watering lightly. Drill sowing means evenly sowing the seeds into furrows or holes, then covering with soil and watering. Of these two methods, broadcasting wastes more seeds and is harder to manage later, but it is simpler, so drill sowing is recommended.

3. Field management techniques: How should it be managed?

(1) Cultivation and weeding: After Qingming cai sprouts, inspect the garden frequently and promptly pull out weeds in the garden. At that time, shallow loosening of the soil can be done to improve soil aeration.

(2) Fertilizer requirements: Qingming cai does not have high fertilizer requirements. Specifically, whether fertilization is needed can be determined according to the plant's growth condition.

(3) Water requirements: Qingming cai does not have high water requirements. It is enough to keep the soil moist, so water more in summer, and take good drainage measures during the plum rain season.

4. Timely harvesting: When is the best time to harvest?

Qingming cai is harvested in batches. Generally, when it grows to about 12cm, the first harvest can be carried out. After new leaves grow, carry out the second harvest. When harvesting, do not wait too late, so that it does not become too old to eat.

The above is a detailed introduction to what kind of vegetable Qingming cai is and its cultivation methods. I hope it is helpful to everyone.