How much does a jin of mustard seeds cost? Plus how to grow them

The seeds and the whole plant of mustard are used medicinally; they can resolve phlegm and calm panting, reduce swelling and relieve pain. The ground seeds are called mustard, used as a seasoning. The pressed oil is called mustard oil. This species is an excellent honey source plant. So how much does a jin of mustard seeds cost? How do you grow them?

1. How much does a jin of mustard seeds cost?

Mustard seeds are not expensive; the specific price is related to factors such as market price, whether they are packaged, the season and the purchasing channel. It is generally around 2-5 yuan/jin. You can shop around before buying.

Mustard seeds, also called mustard seed, are the seeds of plants in the Brassica genus of the Brassicaceae family. The types include black mustard seed, yellow mustard seed, white mustard seed and brown mustard seed. Traditional medicine holds that mustard seed is pungent and warm in nature and enters the lung and stomach meridians. It is good at moving qi and clearing phlegm, warming the middle and dispelling cold, and freeing the collaterals to stop pain. It is often used to treat phlegm-fluid cough and panting, distension and pain in the chest and hypochondrium, numbness of the limbs, joint pain, yin abscess and swelling toxin, and other diseases.

2. How do you grow mustard seeds?

1. Seed selection

For mustard tuber seeds, those with an orange-red color and bright luster are best. After the seeds are bought, they should first be carefully selected. Besides removing mixed-in impurities, plump seeds should also be selected. Because mustard tuber seeds are tiny, they are generally selected by washing in water; that is, the seeds are soaked in water and stirred constantly, the blighted grains and debris are scooped out, and those that sink to the bottom are the plump seeds.

2. Sun-drying the seeds and disinfecting them

After the mustard seeds are selected with water, spread them out in the sun at once to reduce their internal water content, turning them from time to time so that all the seeds can evenly receive the sun, promote the transformation of substances inside them, end dormancy, raise the germination rate, and make emergence more uniform. For disinfection, soak the seeds in a fungicide solution such as carbendazim for 5-10 minutes, stirring constantly so that the seeds fully contact the solution and all pathogens are killed.

3. Soaking the seeds and speeding up germination

Mustard seeds absorbing enough water is good for the transformation of substances inside the seeds and for softening the seed coat to promote sprouting. Soak them in warm water for 3-4 hours; at this time a foliar fertilizer with comprehensive nutrients can be added for them to absorb, so as to increase nutrition, raise the germination rate and help grow strong seedlings. For seed germination, besides air and water, there should also be temperature, so place the soaked seeds in an environment of 25-30°C to ensure early germination and neat, uniform sprouting, which helps with management during the seedling stage.

4. Sowing techniques

For spring cultivation, mustard is grown in late February; for summer cultivation, from early July to late August; for autumn cultivation, from early September to early October. Autumn cultivation is generally the main one. The sowing rate per mu is 1.5-2 kg for spring sowing, 3-4 kg for summer sowing, and 2-3 kg for autumn sowing. Usually broadcast sowing is used, but strive for evenness. After sowing, gently tread over the surface of the bed with your foot so that the seeds and soil are in close contact, which helps the seeds absorb water and emerge earlier. For summer and autumn sowing, 1-2 days before preparing the land, water the land wet and then prepare the land and make the beds.