How to Plant Typha Pollen (Pu Huang)? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Cultivation Techniques
Typha pollen (Pu Huang) is the dried pollen of Typha angustifolia, Typha orientalis and related plants of the family Typhaceae, and is one of the herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine. In China, Typha pollen is mainly produced in Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Anhui, Hubei and other places, and is mainly used to treat diseases such as hematemesis, traumatic bleeding, amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea. So do you know how to plant Typha pollen? Today, follow along as we take a quick look at its cultivation techniques.
1. Planting site management
Typha pollen likes high temperatures and high humidity, tolerates low temperatures and has strong adaptability. It has low requirements for the planting site environment; generally, marshland, lakes, shallow shoals, paddy fields and the like with relatively deep mud in the soil layer and rich organic matter content are all suitable. In addition, the soil is best when loose on top and firm below, as this makes it convenient to manage field moisture and to work the soil and fertiliser. When preparing the land, base fertiliser should be applied at the same time; the base fertiliser is mainly manure and urine, though of course other organic fertilisers can be used instead. Finally, level the land and Typha pollen can be planted.
2. Propagation and cultivation techniques
Typha pollen is generally propagated by division, though seed propagation is used in some places; even so, division remains the main method. The best time for propagation is March to April each year, but planting can be done anytime between March and June; generally speaking, once the temperature is 15 degrees or above, we can plant. Before planting, we should select vigorous divisions for planting, then plant them in holes with both row spacing and plant spacing of 50 cm, generally planting two small plants per hole.
3. Field management
After Typha pollen is planted, we need to carry out field management, the most important part of which is moisture management. After planting, the water in the field should not be too much or too shallow; in the early stage, about 15 cm is sufficient, as this can raise the surface temperature and thus increase the survival rate of Typha pollen. But be careful not to let the soil dry out, which would affect the normal growth of Typha pollen. Then, as Typha pollen grows, we can gradually raise the water level, but the deepest must not exceed 1.2 m. One month after planting, if Typha pollen shows slowed growth or poor development, it needs timely topdressing, mainly with decomposed farmyard manure, controlling the amount of fertiliser according to the specific situation. Finally, during the growth of Typha pollen, we should tidy up the plants that are growing chaotically or too densely, and if necessary it is best to rotate to another field for planting. Of course, we should also pay attention to weeding to reduce nutrient consumption.
4. Harvesting and disease prevention
The most common pest in Typha pollen cultivation is aphids, which we can usually control with dimethoate, but note that no pesticide of any kind may be sprayed within half a month before harvesting. Secondly, harvesting of Typha pollen should be done properly; generally a knife is used to cut off the upper half of the plant, or it is pulled up by hand. When harvesting, we also need to be careful not to damage the roots of Typha pollen, so as not to affect the yield and quality of the coming year.
Typha pollen is not only a traditional Chinese medicine; it can actually also be eaten as a vegetable, though its main edible part is its tender stems and leaves, which are rich in protein and other nutrients, making it a very healthful green vegetable too.