Latest Field Management Techniques and Methods Tutorial for Balloon Flower

Balloon flower is both an ornamental plant and a good medicine used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat coughs. In Northeast China it can also be eaten as a pickled vegetable. Its uses can be said to be very wide-ranging. In the past it grew wild on the mountains, and farmers planted small amounts at home. Now, due to the demand of large pharmaceutical manufacturing, large-scale artificial cultivation has begun, and after planting it still needs to be well maintained for growth and development. That is what I will introduce to you next.

1. Site Selection

Balloon flower is suitable for growing in deep, fertile soil, and the requirements for drainage and irrigation should be somewhat convenient. It is especially suitable for growing on sunny hillsides. It can even adapt to barren land.

2. Land Preparation and Sowing

The fleshy root of balloon flower is relatively long, so when planting, high ridges should be made, about 30 cm. The ridge surface can be about 1 m to 1.5 m, and then a water ditch more than 30 cm deep and wide should be opened. If the soil is heavy and clayey, some plant ash and river sand can be mixed in and applied into the soil together with base fertilizer, stirred together, and then the beds made. When turning the soil, it must be broken up; it can be plowed two more times to keep the soil loose. The soil can be turned somewhat deeper, which is beneficial for rooting.

3. Fertilizer and Water

Before sowing, base fertilizer is applied throughout, at about 400 jin per mu. Homemade grass fertilizer is about 80 jin. When fertilizing, some chemicals can be mixed in to sterilize and kill insects. During the seedling stage, apply more fertilizer and water; it can be applied once every two to three days. Early fertilization is mainly quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer, such as urea, and the application amount, timing, and frequency are determined by the growth of the aboveground branches and leaves. Later, as the fleshy root expands, topdressing and watering are needed most, mainly potassium fertilizer and a small amount of phosphorus and calcium fertilizer. Be sure to apply it together with watering, but there must be no waterlogging, to prevent root cracking.

4. Disease Control

1. Moisture

If water accumulates after rain and the field is too wet, root rot will occur and harm the roots. After being affected, black-brown spots appear, and later the plant rots and dies. A water solution of carbendazim can be used to irrigate the affected area.

2. Disease Prevention

Powdery mildew mainly harms the leaves. When the disease occurs, the diseased leaves are covered with gray powder, and in severe cases the whole plant withers. At the early stage of the disease, a water solution of lime sulfur mixture or triadimefon can be sprayed.

The above are the main field management measures for balloon flower. Perhaps they are not comprehensive enough, but the important content is basically included. As for some small details in the actual planting process, I believe you will experience them when you really plant it, and you will also accumulate your own valuable experience.