A Detailed Guide to the Types and Cultivation Methods of Medicinal Chrysanthemums
Medicinal chrysanthemum is a commonly used bulk medicinal herb, with its flowers used as medicine; it has the functions of clearing the liver and improving eyesight, and dispelling wind and clearing heat. In recent years, due to the influence of various factors, there has been a relatively large shortfall of chrysanthemums on the market, and prices have risen. Seizing this favorable opportunity to develop cultivation can be profitable. What types of medicinal chrysanthemums are there, and how are they cultivated?
Types of Medicinal Chrysanthemums
Huai chrysanthemum from Henan, Bo chrysanthemum and Chu chrysanthemum from Anhui, and Hang chrysanthemum from Zhejiang are famous medicinal chrysanthemum varieties in China. Their common feature is that the outer ligulate flowers are white. If the ligulate flowers are yellow or red, their medicinal value is poor or they cannot be used medicinally. In addition, Hang chrysanthemum and Gong chrysanthemum have relatively mild medicinal properties and are mainly used for tea, with medicinal use as a secondary purpose, while Chu chrysanthemum and Bo chrysanthemum are mainly used medicinally and can also be used for tea.
Cultivation Techniques for Medicinal Chrysanthemums
1. Propagation Methods In production, medicinal chrysanthemums are often propagated by root division and cuttings. 1. Small root division propagation: After winter begins each year, select and keep the root crowns of robust plants, cover them with compost or farmyard manure to keep them warm for overwintering. In February to March of the following year, uncover the manure and soil, and spray once with diluted human excrement and urine to promote the growth of sprouting branches. In April, when the seedlings are 15 cm to 25 cm tall, dig out the root crowns, select robust new seedlings with many adventitious roots, and plant them in the field. 2. Cutting propagation: In April each year, select thick new branches growing from the root crowns as cuttings, remove the tips, cut them into small sections 12 cm to 15 cm long, cut the lower end into a slanted opening, dip it in yellow mud slurry, and insert it into the prepared seedbed to half its length. After insertion, water it, shade it, and keep it moist, and strengthen management. When the cuttings have grown new roots and two new leaves, they can be transplanted to the field.
2. Transplanting The planting site should be chosen in a place with relatively high terrain, convenient drainage, facing the sun and sheltered from the wind, and with fertile sandy loam soil. Plow twice, apply 2000 kg per mu of mixed fertilizer such as barnyard manure and grass skin ash as base fertilizer, rake level and make beds (100 cm wide, 15 cm high). Between April and May, open holes at a spacing of 40 cm between plants and rows, with a hole depth of 5 cm. Choose cloudy and rainy days for transplanting, plant 1 to 2 seedlings per hole, and water after planting.
3. Field Management Chrysanthemums like fertilizer. In addition to applying base fertilizer, 3 to 4 rounds of intertillage and topdressing are also required. The first time is during the period when the seedlings begin to grow after planting, applying 1000 kg per mu of diluted human excrement and urine; the second time is when branching begins, applying 1500 kg to 2000 kg per mu of diluted manure water; the third time is before budding, applying 1000 kg per mu of a mixed fertilizer of barnyard manure, plant ash, and superphosphate (about 15 kg), applied around the root zone, and soil should be banked up after application; before budding, a 20% superphosphate aqueous solution can also be sprayed on the leaf surface for foliar topdressing to increase flower yield. Timely topping is an important measure for increasing the yield of medicinal chrysanthemums. The first time is before transplanting, removing the terminal buds of the main stem; the second time is when the plant has grown 3 to 4 side branches 30 cm long, removing their terminal buds; the third time is carried out before Minor Heat to promote more branching and lay a good foundation for more flowering later.