A Detailed Guide to Growing Shenyancao (Ainsliaea fragrans, also known as Apricot-leaf Rabbit-ear Wind)
Shenyancao is a traditional Chinese medicine distributed in Yunnan, China, and has certain effects on acute and chronic nephritis, cystitis, bronchitis and so on. So, how do you grow Shenyancao? Let's find out together!
1. Choosing and preparing the land
Shenyancao has extremely strong resistance and has no particular requirements for the planting site. Generally, any land that can grow crops can be used to grow Shenyancao, and some plots that cannot grow crops can also be used to grow Shenyancao. Still, when choosing a planting site, try to choose soil that is convenient for irrigation and drainage and transport, fertile, and well aerated. Next, the planting site should be far from pollution sources so as not to affect the quality of the medicinal material. When preparing the land, plow the soil deeply and apply plenty of farmyard manure, doing so together with the deep plowing; mix the soil and fertilizer evenly, then level the land for planting, form ridges and make furrows, and it is ready for planting.
2. Scientific propagation
The most common propagation methods for Shenyancao are seed propagation and division propagation, and seed propagation is also the most commonly used planting method. Generally, we evenly scatter Shenyancao seeds in the prepared field for cultivation. Sowing is usually done in drills, with a row spacing of about 35 cm. Division propagation, on the other hand, uses the newly grown rhizomes of Shenyancao; after dividing them, plant them at a density of 30 cm between rows and 25 cm between plants.
3. Watering and fertilizing
When planting by seed propagation, seedlings generally emerge in about one to three weeks, while with division propagation, new roots generally grow about five days after planting. During the seedling stage of Shenyancao, we should maintain a certain level of moisture in the field, usually around 40 percent. After the seedlings emerge, if there is no rainfall, then timely continued watering is needed to promote seedling growth. During this period, reasonable thinning and replanting of seedlings are also needed. After transplanting, the first topdressing is needed, and manure and urine water can be used for irrigation, mainly nitrogen fertilizer. Throughout the entire growth process of Shenyancao, we need to water it irregularly. From seedling emergence to harvest, the number of waterings is about six to eight times, and the number of topdressings is about three to four times.
4. Cultivation and weeding
Cultivation and weeding are also very important in the growth process of Shenyancao, because during the growth of Shenyancao, weeds also grow very quickly. So we need to weed frequently. Generally, the first cultivation and weeding are carried out after transplanting, and cultivation is usually mainly shallow plowing so as not to damage the roots of Shenyancao. Next, weeding should be done according to the growth of the weeds, and it should be done as early as possible to reduce nutrient consumption. Finally, in the later stage, the soil also needs to be loosened irregularly to enhance soil aeration, for example after continuous rainfall or after frequent watering.
The above is the complete introduction to how to grow Shenyancao. We hope it can help you!