How to grow burdock seeds so they thrive?
Burdock seed is a traditional Chinese medicine with extremely high medicinal value, and its market value and price are both very good, making it an excellent cash crop. So, how do you grow burdock seed? Let's take a look together below.
How to grow burdock seed?
1. Propagation method
Propagate by seed; the seed germination rate is 70%-80%, and at a temperature of 20°C, seedlings emerge 10 days after sowing. At 15-18°C, seedlings emerge in half a month. Sow around Grain Rain, mainly by direct sowing, divided into drilling and hole sowing, with a few raised as seedlings for transplanting. If the soil is dry, water before sowing; after the water seeps in, open holes at a row spacing of 60-80 cm and a plant spacing of 50-60 cm, with holes 6-10 cm deep, sow 7-8 seeds per hole, cover with 3 cm of soil, and sow 22.5-30 kg per hectare. In some places, autumn sowing is adopted, around October, using the same method as spring sowing.
2. Fertilizer and water management
When the seedlings grow 2-3 true leaves, or after they turn green again the following year, thin the seedlings appropriately, loosen the soil, and remove weeds. Water during drought to promote seedling growth, and carry out a first shallow loosening of the soil; the second loosening is done in July-August. Combine thinning and replanting, leaving 2 strong seedlings per hole; for drilling, leave one seedling at a plant spacing of 50 cm. Before the weeds set seed in late autumn, a second weeding must be carried out, along with topdressing and hilling soil to promote more branches and more flowers and fruits. After each soil loosening, topdress: use 22,500-37,500 kg of decomposed human and animal manure per hectare, or apply 120-150 kg of ammonium sulfate at the seedling stage, and apply 225-300 kg of superphosphate at the flowering stage.
3. Harvesting and processing
(1) Burdock is harvested in the second year after sowing; because the flowering period differs, the maturation period is not uniform. In September, when the involucre turns yellow, harvest successively, cut the aboveground part, dry it in the sun, then thresh the seeds centrally, remove impurities and dry again in the sun, and store the seeds in cloth bags or gunny bags.
(2) When picking, stand on the windward side, and fasten cuffs and collar tightly to prevent the sharp spines from irritating the skin. After all picking is finished, dig up the underground roots immediately, scrape off the black skin, dry in the sun, and place in a ventilated and dry place.
At present, burdock seed is in short supply on the market, and the planting benefits are quite considerable. Friends who are interested can try growing it. The above is all the content on how to grow burdock seed, and the cultivation techniques and efficacy of burdock seed. We hope it is helpful to everyone.