The Latest Datura Cultivation Techniques: A Step-by-Step Guide
Datura is a plant in the Solanaceae family, phylum Angiospermae, and a very beautiful flower. Wild varieties can be found in many places across our country. Datura not only has ornamental value but is also one of the main raw materials for making anesthetics. Moreover, the leaves, flowers and seeds of Datura can all be used as medicine, with effects such as relieving asthma and pain, and dispelling cold and detoxifying. So how should Datura be cultivated? Below, the editor brings you the cultivation techniques for Datura. Let's take a look!
1. Site Selection and Land Preparation
Datura is suitable for planting in soil that is sheltered from the wind and faces the sun, with sufficient fertility, loose and deep texture, and good drainage and irrigation. Before sowing, check whether residual herbicides or pathogens are present. Land preparation should be carried out in a timely manner. Before winter arrives, deep plowing and tilling should be done to a depth of no less than 30cm, and disinfection work should be done well to prevent residual harmful substances in the soil from affecting the growth of Datura. Land preparation should be carried out together with fertilization, applying sufficient base fertilizer, which should mainly be decomposed farmyard manure. After fertilizing, rake the soil level. In the spring of the following year, prepare the land again and make field beds to facilitate management and harvesting after sowing.
2. Sowing and Seedling Raising
After preparing the land, sow at the appropriate time around the Beginning of Spring. Select plump seeds with no obvious wounds, and first do the work of soaking the seeds to promote germination and disinfection. Then control the planting density well and dig the planting holes, with a planting spacing of about 60 cm * 45 cm. The planting holes should not be too deep; about 3-4 cm is sufficient. Because Datura seeds are relatively small and do not have strong ability to push through the soil, those planted too deep are difficult to emerge, and the growth ability after emergence will also decline noticeably. Scatter 5 seeds into each planting hole, cover with fine soil, and press down to preserve soil moisture. If raising seedlings, the best time for transplanting is around the end of May.
3. Field Management
After successful final thinning, when the seedlings grow to about 9 cm, thin them in time, removing seedlings that are too weak, affected by pests or diseases, or dead. The number of seedlings in each planting hole must not exceed 2. Then, when the seedlings are about 16 cm tall, carry out thinning again, increasing the number of seedlings in the planting holes to about 4. After final thinning, topdressing should be applied immediately. In the middle and later stages of growth, manage water and fertilizer well according to the growth condition of the plants. During the growth of Datura, cultivation and weeding should also be done well, no fewer than 2 times, and soil should be properly banked up to prevent the plants from lodging.
4. Pest and Disease Control
Datura does not have very strong disease resistance, and some pests and diseases often harm its growth. Common pests and diseases of Datura include black spot disease, aphids, ladybirds and so on. We should prevent pests and diseases from occurring, because once they occur, the growth of Datura will certainly be affected, causing some unnecessary losses. Strengthen field management, reduce the presence of pathogens, and lower the incidence of disease. Also prepare control agents for various common pests and diseases to avoid sudden outbreaks.
The above is a brief introduction to Datura cultivation techniques. What we need to note is that Datura is toxic and quite strongly so, and it must never be eaten raw. After accidental ingestion, symptoms of poisoning will appear within 20 minutes to 30 minutes, such as drowsiness, spasms and so on, and in severe cases it will lead to death. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and we hope it can help everyone!