Asparagus Fern Cultivation Precautions and Market Price Per Jin Introduction

Asparagus fern (Asparagus cochinchinensis) is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Asparagaceae family. Its tuberous roots are spindle-shaped and are generally dug in autumn and winter. After processing, it is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine with the effects of nourishing yin and moistening dryness, and clearing fire and relieving cough. So, what are the precautions for cultivating asparagus fern? How much is the price per jin?

I. Precautions for cultivating asparagus fern

1. Soil: Asparagus fern has well-developed tuberous roots that reach as deep as 50 cm into the soil. It is suitable for growing in deep, loose and fertile, moist and well-drained sandy loam (black sand soil) or soil rich in humus. After selecting the plot, plow deeply and harrow to prepare the land, level and crush the soil, and make raised beds 100 cm wide.

2. Sowing: Sow seeds in late March or from early September to early October. First dig furrows in the bed, with a furrow spacing of 20-24 cm, a furrow depth of 5-7 cm, and a seed spacing of 2-3 cm. After sowing, cover with plant ash, fine soil, and rice straw. After seedlings emerge, promptly insert bamboo poles or wooden stakes to let the seedlings climb and grow upward.

3. Temperature: Asparagus fern likes warmth, fears high temperatures, and is not tolerant of severe cold. The suitable growth temperature is 18-20°C. After sowing, if the temperature is 17-20°C and there is sufficient humidity, seedlings emerge 18-20 days after sowing. In summer, water to lower the temperature; in winter, the temperature must not be lower than 5°C to avoid frost damage.

4. Light: Asparagus fern likes shade and fears strong light. After the seeds germinate, a shed should be built for shading, or crops such as corn can be used between the beds for shade. In summer, when light is strong, appropriately increase the degree of shading; in autumn and winter, thin out branches to increase light penetration; in open areas, insert branches for shade, sparse in spring and autumn and dense in summer.

5. Watering: Asparagus fern likes semi-moist soil. Because its tuberous roots are fleshy roots, if humidity is too high, the roots will rot; if humidity is insufficient, the tubers will not grow very large. Keeping soil humidity between 45%-50% is sufficient. However, during the seedling stage, the soil should often be kept moist, and in drought, water frequently.

6. Fertilization: Asparagus fern is a fertilizer-tolerant plant and needs sufficient base fertilizer and multiple topdressings. Apply topdressing once when the seedlings are more than 40 cm tall, and thereafter apply topdressing 3 times each time a batch of new seedlings grows. The fertilizer should mainly be human and livestock manure. When fertilizing, do not let the fertilizer touch the roots, and cover with soil after fertilizing.

7. Cultivation: Generally, the first intertillage is carried out in April-May. Afterwards, whether to cultivate depends on the growth of weeds and the degree of soil compaction. Intertillage should achieve loose soil and thoroughly remove weeds. Cultivation should be shallow to avoid damaging the roots and affecting tuberous root growth.

8. Diseases and pests: The main disease of asparagus fern is root rot. Drainage work should be done well, and some quicklime powder should be scattered around diseased plants. Pests include red spiders and aphids, which can be controlled by spraying pesticides. Usually pay attention to cleaning the garden, and bury deeply or burn fallen leaves and dead branches. Plants with severe pest damage should be cut out.

9. Harvesting: Asparagus fern generally needs 3 years of cultivation before it can be harvested. The harvest time is from October to before sprouting in March of the following year. Harvest on sunny days. During harvesting, pull out the inserted stakes, cut off the stems and vines, dig the soil around the roots, take out the large tuberous roots, and leave the small tuberous roots for seed.

II. How much is the price of asparagus fern per jin?

Asparagus fern on the market is mainly cultivated and wild. Cultivated ones are a little cheaper, and wild ones are a little more expensive. Here, information provided by the Chinese Medicine Materials World Network, Kangmei Chinese Medicine Network, and 8u58 Medicinal Materials Network is referenced. The prices of asparagus fern are as follows. This is for reference only, and the specific price is subject to the local market.

1. Chinese Medicine Materials World Network: Wild whole roots (Southwest China) sell for 70 yuan/kg in the Anguo medicine market, 75 yuan/kg in the Bozhou medicine market, 72 yuan/kg in the Hehuachi medicine market, and 70 yuan/kg in the Yulin medicine market; cultivated whole roots (Guangxi) sell for 57 yuan/kg in the Anguo medicine market, 58 yuan/kg in the Bozhou medicine market, 55 yuan/kg in the Hehuachi medicine market, and 52 yuan/kg in the Yulin medicine market.

2. Kangmei Chinese Medicine Network: Asparagus fern (large) from Guangxi, 73 yuan/kg in the Bozhou market, 68 yuan/kg in the Anguo market, 65 yuan/kg in the Chengdu market, 65 yuan/kg in the Yulin market, 72 yuan/kg in the Puning market, and 70 yuan/kg in the Lianqiao market; asparagus fern (small) from Guangxi, 58 yuan/kg in the Bozhou market, 55 yuan/kg in the Anguo market, 55 yuan/kg in the Chengdu market, 56 yuan/kg in the Yulin market, 60 yuan/kg in the Puning market, and 60 yuan/kg in the Lianqiao market.

3. 8u58 Medicinal Materials Network: The price of cultivated whole roots is 57 yuan/kg, and the price of wild whole roots is 73 yuan/kg.

The above are the precautions for cultivating asparagus fern and the price introduction. We hope it is useful to everyone.