How to Grow Senna Well? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Cultivation Techniques

Senna plays a very big role in our daily life. It is one of the main ingredients in laxatives and can be used to moisten the intestines and relieve constipation, and a tea called senna tea has also appeared on the market. It is a health tea that can be used for weight loss and slimming, but the proportion of senna must be strictly controlled, otherwise it will cause gastrointestinal discomfort. So how do you grow senna? Let's take a look together below.

1. Site Selection and Land Preparation

Senna is relatively well suited to growing in a dry environment, so the planting site is generally on the higher side, with relatively good drainage, strong soil permeability, sufficient soil fertility, and loose sandy soil. We should turn and prepare the soil about one month before planting, so that it has enough time to be sun-dried and the soil texture is broken up finely. There must be no waterlogged spots in the field, and at the same time ditches should be opened in the field at intervals of about 1.5 m for drainage. Finally, spread the base fertilizer well and wait for sowing.

2. Scientific Sowing

The most commonly used planting method for senna is direct seeding, and it is relatively well suited to sowing in the hot, dry season. It can be planted in many places where we live. Before sowing, the land needs to be watered wet first, then the seeds are sown at a row spacing of 70 cm and a plant spacing of 60 cm, then covered with soil, and finally a layer of grass is placed on top, which can keep the land moist. Another planting method is raising seedlings and transplanting. The seedling raising is similar to seed sowing, and when the seedlings have grown to about 10 to 15 cm, they can be transplanted at a reasonable density.

3. Field Management

Senna does not need too much water during its growth process, but it still needs to be watered, so we must strictly control the watering. Water once in the early stage of senna growth, and then water during its vigorous growth period. In weather with more rainfall, drain the water from the field in time, otherwise it will affect its growth. During its growth process, fertilization is generally needed multiple times, mainly nitrogen fertilizer, to promote the growth of senna's branches and leaves, and secondly phosphorus fertilizer can be applied in an appropriate amount. When senna has grown to a certain length, remove the flower buds and terminal buds in time, which can promote the growth of senna. The last thing to note is to carry out intertillage and weeding irregularly to maintain soil permeability.

4. Pest and Disease Control

Because the planting time of senna is relatively special, the chance of damping-off disease occurring during this period is very high, so we must make preparations for prevention in time, strengthen field management, and then use Bordeaux mixture for prevention. After the disease occurs, wettable zineb can be used for treatment. At the same time, during this period it will be accompanied by the appearance of pierid butterfly larvae, which we can control together with trichlorfon.