How to grow Lysimachia christinae (moneywort) from seed? A detailed guide to the latest planting methods
Moneywort is also known as Luodi Jinqian, Qianqianjin, Lianqiancao, etc. It is a perennial herb of the genus Lysimachia in the family Primulaceae, widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of both hemispheres. In China, it grows wild or is cultivated artificially in various places south of the Yangtze River. The whole plant is used as medicine and has the effects of draining dampness and relieving jaundice, promoting diuresis and treating strangury, and detoxifying and reducing swelling. Now let us take a look at how to grow moneywort from seed!
Growth habits
Moneywort often grows on hillside grasslands, roadsides or ditch edges. It likes moisture and warmth, fears high temperatures, and tolerates low temperatures. It grows well within a temperature range of 16-24°C, and the overwintering temperature should not be lower than 5°C. When the room temperature exceeds 30°C, plant growth will be inhibited. It has strong adaptability to the pH of water, but it is best to keep it between 6.5 and 7.5.
Seed sowing
The seedling-raising method for moneywort is the same as that for general vegetables. Before sowing, soak the seeds in 40°C warm water for 24 hours, remove them and dry them, then broadcast them on the seedbed. After sowing, cover with 1 cm of sieved fine soil. Generally, the seeds begin to germinate after 7 days. When the seedlings grow to 15 m, they can be transplanted. However, because moneywort seeds are very small, difficult to collect, and the seedlings grow slowly, cutting propagation is mostly used.
Planting management
1. Site selection and land preparation: Moneywort is best planted in fertile sandy loam and cool, moist plots. Before land preparation, apply 5000-6000 jin of decomposed organic fertilizer per mu. After plowing, rake the soil fine and make beds at 1.2 m intervals, with a bed surface width of 90 cm, a ditch width of 30 cm, and a ditch depth of 20 cm.
2. Fertilization management: 20 days after planting moneywort, pour 500 kg of dilute manure water per mu, or apply 1% urea as a liquid fertilizer. When the stems and vines grow to 12-15 cm, apply topdressing once more, with 50 loads of decomposed human and animal manure and urine per mu. If there are missing seedlings in the planting holes, cut longer cuttings to fill them in.
3. Intertillage and weeding: In the first year, before the second topdressing, carry out intertillage and weeding once. If weeds grow again, they can simply be pulled by hand. In the second year, after the beginning of spring and before moneywort sprouts, carry out intertillage, loosening the soil, and weeding as well. After that, carry out intertillage, loosening the soil, and weeding once every year.
4. Pest and disease control: During the growth of moneywort, it is susceptible to damage by Ge Yu, snails, and others. You can choose to drench with 1000 times dilution of 90% trichlorfon crystal, or broadcast 8% metaldehyde granules or 10% metaldehyde granules. Broadcasting on a clear evening can kill adults or young snails.
5. Harvesting and processing: Moneywort can be harvested when it grows to 40-50 m long. After drying in the sun, it becomes the finished product. The finished product is required to be green, free of impurities, and free of mildew. If the finished product cannot be sold immediately, it can be stored in a cool, dry place and covered with nylon plastic paper.