What are the planting conditions for Amomum villosum? A detailed explanation of the latest cultivation requirements

Amomum villosum may be something many people have never heard of. Also known as lesser cardamom, it is a seasoning and also a medicinal herb. It is extremely popular in some regions, and it is also cultivated artificially in various regions of China. The planting benefits are good, and many people want to grow it, but it has certain requirements for the growing environment. Let us take a look at the planting conditions for Amomum villosum below.

1. Temperature requirements

Amomum villosum is a typical tropical and subtropical rainforest plant. It likes a warm and cool environment, and temperature has an enormous influence on its growth and flower bud differentiation. It is suitable for growing at an annual average temperature between 22-28 degrees, grows slowly between 14-19 degrees, and can briefly tolerate low temperatures of around 0 degrees. In winter, the monthly average temperature is required to be above 12 degrees, otherwise its flower buds will not sprout. The higher the temperature, the faster its flower bud differentiation, and it can also bloom earlier and increase yield. The temperature during the flowering period should be above 22 degrees and below 30 degrees; too high or too low will affect flowering.

2. Water requirements

Amomum villosum likes a moist environment and fears both drought and waterlogging. It is suitable for planting in areas with annual rainfall above 1000 mm, and yields are highest at 1400 mm of rainfall. It is suitable for growing at relative humidity above 80%, but if there is too much soil moisture, it will affect root respiration and very easily cause root rot. During the flowering period, the humidity requirements are extremely high: air humidity must reach above 80%, and soil water content should be 35%, so as to ensure flower opening and stigma vitality and facilitate pollination.

3. Light requirements

Amomum villosum is a shade plant and needs a low-light environment during growth. It avoids strong light and sun exposure. During the seedling stage, it needs a certain amount of light, but strong light will cause young trees to wilt, so shade must be provided well, with a shading degree of 70%-80% being suitable. If the shading degree exceeds 80%, the plants grow thin and weak and tillering decreases, but if the shading degree is lower than 30%, under strong sunlight the plants become dwarfed and the leaves turn yellow and dry, and they are also prone to freezing damage in winter.

4. Soil requirements

Amomum villosum is a perennial plant. It consumes a large amount of nutrients every year, and it also has creeping stems densely covering the ground, so loosening the soil during planting is inconvenient. In addition, its root system is relatively shallow and it fears drought. Therefore, its soil requirements are relatively strict. It is advisable to choose sandy loam with deep soil layers, loose and fertile texture, rich humus, and strong water and fertilizer retention capacity for planting. Although sandy soil and clay soil can also be used for planting, fertilization work must be done well before planting, mainly with organic fertilizer, appropriately combined with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers and trace elements.

The above is an introduction to the planting conditions of Amomum villosum. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.