What are the latest precautions for growing selfheal (Prunella vulgaris)

Selfheal is very common in many rural areas. It is often used by steeping in water for drinking, has relatively high medicinal value, and is also one of the easiest medicinal herbs to keep alive. Because it has few requirements for the growing environment, selfheal can be seen in many places. But in recent years, the demand for selfheal has increased, and combined with environmental damage, people have gradually begun to cultivate selfheal artificially. So what needs attention when growing selfheal? Let us take a look together.

1. Soil

Wild selfheal has no requirements for the growing environment, but when cultivating it artificially, our main purpose is to grow high-yield and high-quality medicinal material in order to obtain higher economic benefits, so when planting we need to choose the planting site well. Generally, it is best to choose loam or humus soil with sufficient light, fertile soil, and good drainage and water retention. Heavy clay soil is not suitable for planting.

2. Time

For the planting time of selfheal, we need to choose the best planting time according to the maturity time of selfheal seeds and its growth habits. Usually we choose to plant in August and September of each autumn. Selfheal planted at this time sprouts quickly and grows quickly, and it is also relatively convenient to manage, with relatively fewer pests and diseases. Next, if the autumn planting time is missed, sowing can also be done in spring, except that the yield is not as high as that of autumn planting.

3. Density

There are mainly two sowing methods for selfheal, namely drilling and broadcasting. For drilling, we need to first make furrows in the prepared land at a spacing of about 15 to 25 cm per row, then evenly scatter the seeds into the furrows and cover them with soil. For broadcasting, simply sow directly. After the seedlings emerge, what needs attention is thinning and filling in gaps. Usually thinning is done at about 20 cm per row and about 15 cm per plant. Reasonable density is a basic condition for high yield. Next, we also need to make specific density divisions according to the fertility of the soil and the variety of selfheal.

4. Fertilizer and water

Fertilizer and water management is a very important point in field management, and it is also the key to high yield of selfheal. We need to topdress according to the growth of selfheal. After planting, we need to topdress, and manure and urine water can be used for irrigation, which can promote the growth of selfheal. Next, when the seedlings grow to about 15 cm, apply an appropriate amount of phosphorus fertilizer and calcium fertilizer, and this should be combined with watering. Finally, what needs attention is that while maintaining field moisture, drainage should also be carried out in time.

5. Pests and diseases

Selfheal has extremely strong resistance, and during its entire growth process it is rarely affected by pests and diseases. If there are any, they are generally diseases and pests such as damping-off and aphids that harm the stems and leaves of selfheal. For damping-off, we can usually use Bordeaux mixture for control, and for aphids we can also use yellow sticky boards to trap and kill them or spray with trichlorfon solution. However, what needs attention is that about half a month to one month before harvest, chemical control must not be carried out, as this will seriously affect the quality of selfheal.