What is the difference between Pinellia pedatisecta and Pinellia ternata? How are they cultivated?

Pinellia pedatisecta is a kind of Chinese medicinal herb with a certain phlegm-resolving and cough-relieving effect. It often grows in fields, low-lying wetlands and other locations, and is mostly found in Yunnan, Guangxi, Guangdong and other places in China. As a plant that likes fertilizer, it has certain requirements for soil and likes to grow on loose, fertile humus soil. There is also another kind called Pinellia ternata, which is also a kind of Chinese medicine and has the effects of resolving phlegm and reducing dryness. Below let us take a look at where the difference between the two lies and how Pinellia pedatisecta is cultivated.

1. What is the difference between Pinellia pedatisecta and Pinellia ternata?

Because the yield of Pinellia ternata is relatively low, some merchants use Pinellia pedatisecta to deceive consumers. In fact, they differ in appearance and effects, and they are not the same medicinal herb, so everyone must pay attention to distinguishing them.

1. Appearance

The tubers of Pinellia pedatisecta are elliptical, semicircular or conical, relatively small, with a light yellow or white outer skin. The skin is not very smooth, and dot-like root scars can be seen on it. Its flowering period is from April to May, and its fruiting period is from June to July.

The tubers of Pinellia ternata are spherical, with a relatively smoother skin, and there is a sunken mark at the central position of the top. Its flesh is firm and powdery, and the cut surface is relatively smooth and clean. Its flowering period is from May to July, and its fruiting period is from August to September.

2. Price

The price of Pinellia pedatisecta is less than one tenth that of Pinellia ternata, generally around ten-plus yuan per jin.

3. Effects

Pinellia pedatisecta tastes pungent and has a certain toxicity. Although its effects are somewhat similar to those of Pinellia ternata, it does not have an antiemetic effect.

Pinellia ternata tastes milder and can stop vomiting, reduce swelling, relieve pain, beautify flower beds, remove dampness, and so on.

2. How is Pinellia pedatisecta cultivated?

1. Soil conditions

Pinellia pedatisecta is suitable for growing in paddy fields with sufficient sunlight, fertile soil, good looseness and convenient irrigation. Before planting, it is best to apply a certain amount of organic fertilizer to help early growth. Human feces, urine, green manure and the like are all good choices.

2. Raising seedlings and planting out

After harvesting Pinellia pedatisecta in the first year, tubers that have not been attacked by pests or diseases and have high yield should be selected as seed. After the skin is slightly dry, they should be stored in a ventilated place. Sowing is carried out in the spring of the following year, and sowing must be even.

More than one month after planting out, when the Pinellia pedatisecta seedlings have grown to about four or five cm, the seedlings can be lifted. During the process of lifting the seedlings, excess soil should be removed, but the tubers of the seedlings should not be allowed to fall off, otherwise the subsequent survival rate will be affected.

3. Daily management

There are three tasks in daily management work: weeding, watering and topdressing. One week after planting out, the amount of watering should be increased, and weeds in the field should be removed immediately to prevent them from competing for nutrient absorption and to keep the main stem strong.

The initial base fertilizer can no longer meet its growth needs, so appropriate topdressing should be carried out 2-3 times to promote the growth of Pinellia pedatisecta seedlings.

4. Pest and disease control

Pinellia pedatisecta is mainly attacked by insect pests, commonly aphids, which cause relatively great damage to the leaves, so timely prevention and treatment are needed.

The above is the answer to the questions of where the difference between Pinellia pedatisecta and Pinellia ternata lies and how to cultivate them. We hope it helps everyone.