A Detailed Guide to Ophiopogon japonicus Market Prices and Cultivation Techniques
Ophiopogon japonicus, also known as mai men dong or dwarf lilyturf, is a perennial evergreen plant commonly found in shady, damp places under forests and on hillsides. Its small tuberous roots are widely used medicinally for moistening the lungs and relieving coughs, and for promoting fluid production and quenching thirst. So how much does Ophiopogon japonicus cost per jin? What are its cultivation techniques?
I. Introduction to Ophiopogon japonicus:
1. What is Ophiopogon japonicus?
Ophiopogon japonicus is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant in the Liliaceae family. It resembles chives, grows about 30cm tall, and has slender, clustered leaves. Its flowers form pale purple racemes, and its fruits are dark blue or blackish-blue spheres. Its roots are spindle-shaped fleshy roots with high medicinal value.
2. Where does Ophiopogon japonicus grow?
Ophiopogon japonicus is a perennial herbaceous plant, mostly growing in woodlands, along streams, and in shady hillside spots below 2000 meters in altitude. It is cultivated in Zhejiang, Fujian, Anhui, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan and other parts of China, with Sichuan and Zhejiang being the main producing areas.
II. How much does Ophiopogon japonicus cost per jin?
Market prices for Ophiopogon japonicus vary, generally around 25 to 60 yuan per jin, but prices differ depending on the place of origin, the market, and the time of sale. For example, in the Sichuan area the price is about 75 yuan per jin, in the Anhui Bozhou market about 40 yuan per jin, and in Mianyang, Sichuan about 68 yuan per jin. If it is a general commercial grade price, it is about 26 to 29 yuan per jin; if it is a market price, it is about 50 yuan per jin. So the specific price still needs to be checked at the local market.
III. What are the cultivation techniques for Ophiopogon japonicus?
1. Site selection and land preparation: What kind of land is suitable for planting?
Ophiopogon japonicus is suited to growing in loose, fertile soil with good drainage, so when choosing a site, try to select sandy loam for planting. After choosing the site, deep-plow the soil about 25cm, apply an appropriate amount of compost or calcium fertilizer, then dig furrows about 40cm wide and beds about 1.5 to 1.7 meters wide to make later planting easier. When choosing the site, try not to plant it on land where other crops have been grown, to avoid disease. At the same time, when fertilizing, apply about 1800 kg of compost per mu, along with 60 kg of calcium fertilizer or 1300 kg of barnyard manure.
2. Planting and raising seedlings: How to plant?
(1) Seedling selection and treatment: Before planting the seedlings, choose seedlings that are dark green in color and grow vigorously, cut off the surrounding residual fibrous roots or part of the stem base, and divide them into individual plants. If they cannot be planted promptly, the roots can be soaked in water to prevent moisture loss, but the seedling-keeping time should not exceed 1 day, and they must be watered once every day.
(2) Planting time: Planting can be done on any non-rainy day around Qingming.
(3) Planting method: Ophiopogon japonicus generally uses the method of division propagation. Specifically, plant the treated seedlings into the holes, then cover with soil, water appropriately, and place them in a shady environment.
3. Field management techniques: What are the water and fertilizer requirements?
(1) Cultivation and weeding: Ophiopogon japonicus is a fibrous-rooted plant, so half a month after planting the seedlings, weed once. By October, weed once every month, and loosen the soil according to how loose the soil is, to prevent it from becoming compacted.
(2) Water requirements: Ophiopogon japonicus has relatively high water requirements. Generally, the growth period and the expansion period need more water, so water more during this time. At other times, determine the amount of watering based on the dryness and moisture of the soil. Generally, water more in summer, drain water during the rainy season in July to August, and water less in winter to prevent pest and disease problems.
(3) Fertilizer requirements: Ophiopogon japonicus has relatively high fertilizer requirements. Generally, starting in May, apply farmyard manure once in combination with loosening the soil, to ensure sufficient nutrients.
(4) Pest and disease control: During the growth period of Ophiopogon japonicus, pests and diseases such as black spot disease, root-knot nematode disease, white grubs, mole crickets, and wireworms will appear, so control measures must be well carried out. For pests and diseases, apply the appropriate treatment promptly.
The above is a detailed introduction to the market prices and cultivation techniques of Ophiopogon japonicus. I hope it is helpful to everyone.