How much does Figwort seed cost per jin? Detailed guide to planting time and cultivation techniques

Figwort, a name in traditional Chinese medicine, is a herbaceous plant of the Scrophulariaceae family, with the effects of clearing heat and cooling the blood, nourishing yin and reducing fire, and detoxifying and dissipating masses. So, how much does Figwort seed cost per jin? When should it be planted? What are the cultivation techniques?

1. How much does Figwort seed cost per jin? When should it be planted?

The price of Figwort seed is about 40 to 50 yuan per jin, but prices vary depending on seed quality, variety, place of origin and market. Figwort is commonly propagated by daughter buds, seeds, division and cuttings; in production, daughter bud propagation is generally used, as the propagation rate from seed is relatively low, but seed propagation grows quickly, producing a harvestable crop in just one year, and with fewer diseases. In southern China, Figwort is planted in both spring and autumn; spring sowing is done in February, and autumn sowing from October to early November. Spring-sown crops can be harvested the same year, but the quality is relatively poor; autumn-sown crops grow quickly and are harvested the following year, with better quality and yield than spring sowing.

2. What are the cultivation techniques?

1. Site selection and land preparation: For Figwort cultivation, choose deep sandy loam soil, or plant on the sunny slopes of barren hills; previous crops of legumes or grasses are best. Figwort roots go very deep into the soil and have a strong ability to absorb nutrients, so deep ploughing and sufficient basal fertilizer are needed.

2. Intertillage and weeding: When Figwort seedlings emerge, pull out any weeds as they appear, but when weeding, do not loosen the soil too deeply, to avoid damaging the root tubers; from April to June, carry out intertillage and weeding 3 to 4 times. After June, once the plants have grown large, there is no need to loosen the soil again, but still pull out any weeds.

3. Timely topdressing: In addition to sufficient basal fertilizer, apply 1 to 2 topdressings of mainly phosphorus and potassium fertilizer before the rows close, along with some barnyard manure or compost, applied in small holes or furrows beside the plants, then covered with soil and firmed, and earth up around the roots.

4. Reasonable thinning: In the second year after planting, Figwort sends up many seedlings from the roots, which makes the roots swell and increases yield; promptly pull out the excess shoots, generally leaving only 2 to 3 plants.

5. Timely topping: When Figwort reaches a certain size, it sends up flower stalks; if the Figwort is being grown for the commercial crop and not for seed, promptly remove the flower stalks as they emerge, so that nutrients concentrate in the root tubers and promote root swelling.

6. Watering and drainage: Figwort is relatively drought-tolerant and not waterlogging-tolerant; when drought is especially severe, water lightly to keep the soil moist, but do not flood it heavily; in the rainy season, drain promptly if water accumulates.