How to Grow Patchouli? Latest Planting Techniques and Methods Tutorial
Patchouli is a plant that serves both as medicine and food; its whole herb can be used medicinally, and patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) is the authentic variety among the Agastache species and one of the ten major Guangdong medicines. It has a long cultivation history, mature cultivation techniques, simple planting management, and broad market prospects, so how do you grow it? Let's take a look.
1. Site Selection and Land Preparation
Patchouli is suitable for growing in warm, well-drained sandy loam, especially brown soil or black sandy loam rich in humus, with a soil pH of 4.5-5.5 being ideal. Patchouli is often rotated with other crops; it is not tolerant of strong sunlight or frost, so it is mostly rotated with rice. After the rice harvest, plow the plot and make beds 60-80cm wide and 30-40cm high.
2. Propagation Methods
Patchouli rarely flowers, so cuttings are mostly used for propagation when planting. Seedlings should be selected from robust plants with lush branches and leaves and no pests or diseases. Cut a section of branch about 40cm long, preferably one whose pith is white, and plant immediately after cutting by digging holes and planting, with a hole spacing of about 20-25cm. Insert the cut cuttings into the holes to a depth of about half the length of the seedling, then cover with soil and press firm. After cutting, before the branches have rooted, avoid direct sunlight, so cover with grass and water frequently.
3. Field Management
About 20 days after planting, they will root, and at this point fertilization can begin. For the first fertilization, dilute manure and urine with water and apply; afterward, fertilize once every half month, for 2-3 times in a row. For the second fertilization, use 350-400 kg of human and animal manure and urine per mu; for the third, in addition to topdressing 350-400 kg of human and animal manure and urine, also add 3.5-4 kg of ammonium sulfate, diluted with water before application.
4. Pests and Diseases
The main diseases of patchouli include angular leaf spot, root rot, and brown spot. Among these, angular leaf spot and brown spot mainly damage the leaves, and both can be controlled by spraying Bordeaux mixture. Root rot mainly damages the root system and stem; when it occurs, there are no obvious symptoms on the aboveground parts, so prevention is the main approach. Diseased plants should be pulled out promptly, and the disease holes disinfected with lime powder. The main pests are aphids and leaf rollers, which can be controlled by combining manual capture with chemical pesticides.
The above is an introduction to patchouli cultivation techniques. We hope it helps you. For more cultivation knowledge, please stay tuned to us.