A Detailed Guide to the Latest Planting Time and Methods for Chinese Yam (Dioscorea opposita)
Chinese yam is a medicinal plant, also called shanyao (Dioscorea opposita). It generally grows in the south and in the southwest and northwest regions, such as Zhejiang, Sichuan and Tibet. This Chinese yam mainly strengthens the spleen and stomach, treats diarrhea, and has tonifying benefits for the lungs and kidneys. It is often used as medicinal material. Chinese yam can be cultivated artificially; the specific cultivation time and methods are what this article will cover today.
1. Choosing varieties
Among the common Chinese yams today, the commonly planted varieties all have superior growth vigor; the common ones are Japanese yam and fine-haired long yam. Among them, the Japanese variety is an excellent variety with good adaptability and quality. If it is widely promoted in our country, it is believed that the quality will surpass that of ordinary varieties. However, you can choose a quality variety suited to the local soil.
2. Planting time
The planting time is roughly in spring; specifically, it depends on the outdoor temperature in spring. Generally, when the temperature is above 10, planting can begin. It should not be high temperature, nor should it be exposed to severe cold. Because of environmental and climatic influences, each place may be earlier or later; it is roughly when the aboveground plants can begin to grow. Then you can plant.
3. Planting treatment
There are no seeds; planting can only rely on corms for propagation. Generally, seed corms are kept at harvest time and then continue to be planted. Usually the whole corm can be kept for seed, or it can be cut into small sections with plump buds, which can be planted directly in the field. For planting, trenches are opened and planting is done directly; the spacing is about 10 cm, and the row spacing is 20 cm. The planting depth is all about 3 to 4 cm; it should not be too deep, as that is unfavorable for sprouting, and if too shallow, the corm easily loses water.
4. Carrying out management
Dig drainage ditches in the field, with two ditches dug horizontally and vertically in the middle, and also dig ditches around the perimeter; the ditches should be more than 20 cm deep for good drainage. Plant in ridge rows; raise 30 cm wide strip ridges in the field, then open ditches on the ridges and plant, leaving shallow ditches between rows, about 10 cm deep is enough. For planting, apply base fertilizer at 1500 jin of farmyard manure per mu. Topdressing can be done several times; when fertilizing, remember to water.
Chinese yam is planted in spring after the temperature rises, or in autumn when the temperature holds steady. There are some details to note when planting. Management must also be careful and free of mistakes. Chinese yam can be said to be a relatively easy plant to grow. The planting method is also relatively simple, but management must be done well.