How to grow cudweed? A detailed guide to the latest planting methods

Cudweed is a very popular wild vegetable in recent years; in some places it is also called Gnaphalium affine, and in others it is called swallow flower, etc. Foods made with cudweed are very beneficial to the human body when eaten regularly, and have certain therapeutic effects on rheumatism, bronchitis, stomach problems, etc., while also helping to soften blood vessels. So now many places are also carrying out large-scale artificial cultivation. Today let us take a look at how it is grown.

1. Choosing and preparing the land

Cudweed was originally a wild plant, so when choosing a planting site we first need to understand its growth habits, see where it generally grows, and then make a specific choice. Usually we choose relatively moist and relatively fertile land for planting, and the water source at the planting site should be fairly abundant, which makes irrigation convenient. The land actually does not need much effort to prepare: clear the weeds and debris from the field and turn the soil over, and finally dig a series of small furrows in the field at intervals of about one meter to one and a half meters.

2. Sowing at the right time

Cudweed seeds are relatively fragile, and under higher temperatures the seeds are very difficult to germinate, so it must be planted at the right time. We also need to make a specific analysis based on the climate differences between northern and southern China. Usually it is best to sow in February or March of spring. There are two sowing methods, broadcast sowing and drill sowing. Broadcast sowing is simpler than drill sowing, but later field operations will be a bit more troublesome, so it is recommended to use the drill sowing method.

3. Field management

Cudweed grows relatively slowly, but because it has strong resistance itself, field management is also relatively simple. After cudweed emerges, just pull out the weeds in the field, maintain soil moisture, and apply fertilizer according to the specific growth conditions of the cudweed. It also has no pests or diseases, so no pest and disease control is needed. At the same time, herbicides must never be used for weeding, because cudweed itself is a kind of grass, and this will directly cause the cudweed to die.

4. Harvesting properly

Cudweed grows unevenly; some grow faster, so it needs to be harvested in batches. However, the first harvest is slightly different from later harvests. At the first harvest, wait until the cudweed has grown to about 20 cm, then pull it up by the roots. For each harvest afterward, we mainly harvest the tender branches of the cudweed, so that after harvesting the cudweed will grow new branches and leaves again and can continue to be harvested. This is very convenient. At the same time, note that it must not be harvested too late; once it is too old, it is useless.