The Latest Cultivation Techniques and Methods Tutorial for Huaimi (Sophora japonica flower buds)
Huaimi, also known as sophora flower and sophora flower rice, is the dried flower and flower bud of Sophora japonica, a plant in the Fabaceae family. It has extremely high medicinal value, with the effects of cooling blood and stopping bleeding, and clearing liver heat and purging fire. It is mainly used to treat bloody stool, hemorrhoidal bleeding, bloody dysentery, headache and dizziness, and other conditions. At present, it is widely cultivated throughout our country, so how is Huaimi cultivated? Let's find out together.
1. Site selection and land preparation
Huaimi has low soil requirements and can be cultivated in places with deep soil layers. It can also grow normally in lime soil and mildly saline-alkali soil. The best soil is sunny, moist, deep, fertile sandy loam with good drainage. After selecting the site, deep plow 60 cm, break up the soil finely and rake it level, then make beds 70 cm wide. Apply sufficient base fertilizer; generally, apply 500 kg of decomposed organic fertilizer or 5 kg of urea per mu, and 3000-4000 kg of farmyard manure. Spread it evenly on the bed surface and mix it thoroughly with the soil.
2. Seed germination promotion
Generally, seeds can be collected from October to winter. Select plants over 30 years old that are robust and free from pests and diseases for seed collection. After collecting the seeds, soak them in water, then rub off the fruit skin to obtain the seeds. In early March, soak them in 80°C hot water for 5-6 hours. After removing them, mix them with twice their volume of sand, spread them flat indoors at a thickness of 20-25 cm, sprinkle wet sand on top to cover them completely so the seeds are not exposed, then cover with a layer of plastic film to keep them warm and moist and promote seed germination. At the same time, turn them frequently so that the moisture of the upper and lower layers is consistent and germination is uniform. When one third of the seeds have cracked open, they can be sown.
3. Sowing and seedling raising
Generally, ridge sowing in the field is used, with ridges made at 50-65 cm spacing. When sowing, open shallow furrows on the ridges about 7 cm deep. After sowing, apply base fertilizer, then cover with 5 cm of soil and press it firm. After sowing, pay attention to maintaining soil moisture, and also watch out for bean seed fly damage. After the seedlings emerge uniformly, thin them 2-3 times, and set the spacing at 10-15 cm between plants. From May to August, weed according to field conditions and keep the nursery clean. During the rainy season, pay attention to drainage to prevent waterlogging. After the seedlings drop their leaves and before the ground freezes, dig up the seedlings, grade them, heel them in for overwintering, and transplant them the following year.
4. Transplanting management
After the soil thaws the following year, transplant one-year-old seedlings at a row spacing of 70×40 cm. At the same time, carry out watering and fertilizing. Usually, after 2 years of cultivation, in the third year select large seedlings 1 m tall for permanent planting. Substandard small seedlings are cultivated for another year before permanent planting. After permanent planting, strengthen management, apply sufficient water and fertilizer, and enhance the plants' disease resistance. In addition, do a good job of pest and disease control to prevent harm to plant growth and development. Harvest in summer when the flower buds form, dry them promptly, remove branches, stems and impurities, and then the medicinal Huaimi is obtained.
The above is an introduction to Huaimi cultivation techniques. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.