Detailed Guide to Cattail Pollen Cultivation Techniques: Methods for Growing Chinese Medicinal Herbs
Cattail pollen (Pu Huang) is the dried pollen of Typha angustifolia, Typha orientalis, and related plants in the Typhaceae family. It is a type of Chinese medicinal herb mainly used to treat hematemesis, traumatic bleeding, amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea, and other conditions. Below is an introduction to the cultivation techniques for the Chinese medicinal herb “cattail pollen”!
1. Planting Site Management
Cattail pollen is characterized by a preference for high temperatures and high humidity, tolerance to low temperatures, and strong adaptability. It does not have high requirements for the planting site environment. Generally, swampy land, lakes, shallow shoals, paddy fields, and similar areas with relatively deep silt in the soil layer and rich organic matter content are all suitable. In addition, the soil is best when it is loose on top and firm underneath, as this facilitates field water management and soil-fertilizer preparation. When preparing the land, base fertilizer should be applied together with the tilling. The base fertilizer is mainly manure and urine, though other organic fertilizers can also be used as substitutes. Finally, level the land and cattail pollen can be planted.
2. Propagation and Cultivation Techniques
Cattail pollen is generally propagated by division of clumps. In some places, seed propagation is used, but division of clumps remains the primary method. The best time for propagation is March to April each year, though planting can be done anytime between March and June. Generally speaking, planting can be carried out when the temperature is 15 degrees or above. Before planting, select vigorously growing divided clumps for planting, then plant them in holes with both row spacing and plant spacing of 50 cm. Generally, two small plants are planted per hole.
3. Field Management
After cattail pollen is planted, field management work is needed, the most important of which is water management. After planting, the field water level should be neither too high nor too shallow. In the early stage, about 15 cm is sufficient, as this can raise the surface temperature and thereby increase the survival rate of cattail pollen. Do not let the soil become dry, as this would affect the normal growth of cattail pollen. As the cattail pollen grows, the water level can be gradually raised, but it must not exceed 1.2 m at the deepest. One month after planting, if cattail pollen shows slowed growth or poor development, timely topdressing is needed. This is generally based on decomposed farmyard manure, with the amount controlled according to specific conditions. During the growth of cattail pollen, remove any plants that are growing in a disorderly manner or are too densely planted. If necessary, it is best to transplant to another field. Pay attention to weeding to reduce nutrient consumption.
4. Harvesting and Disease Prevention
The most common pest and disease during the growth of cattail pollen is aphids, which can be controlled using dimethoate. However, note that no pesticide should be sprayed within half a month before harvesting. Harvesting of cattail pollen should be done reasonably. Generally, a knife is used to cut off the upper part of the cattail pollen, or it is pulled by hand. During harvesting, do not damage the roots of the cattail pollen, so as not to affect the yield and quality of the following year.
The above is Tuliu Network's introduction to cattail pollen cultivation techniques. Cattail pollen is not only a Chinese medicinal herb but can also be eaten as a vegetable. However, its main edible parts are the tender stems and leaves, which are rich in protein and nutrients, making it a very healthful green vegetable.