Latest prices for Atractylodes lancea seeds and a detailed guide to growing them

Atractylodes lancea is a major traditional Chinese medicinal material, once mainly sourced from the wild, but due to large-scale destructive digging of Atractylodes lancea, wild resources are on the verge of exhaustion, and at the same time there is no large-scale artificial cultivation, causing the market price of Atractylodes lancea to trend upward, so growing Atractylodes lancea is a good money-making project, now let us take a look at Atractylodes lancea seed prices and planting methods!

How much is a jin of Atractylodes lancea seeds?

The price of Atractylodes lancea seeds is about 200 to 250 yuan per jin, but it varies depending on seed quality, variety, place of origin and the market. Atractylodes lancea is widely cultivated in medicinal gardens all over China, usually sown Atractylodes lancea is harvested after 3 to 4 years, while transplanted Atractylodes lancea is harvested after 2 to 3 years. Maocangzhu is mostly dug in autumn, and northern Atractylodes lancea can be dug in both spring and autumn, but the quality is good when dug after autumn until before the seedlings emerge in early spring of the following year. Wild Maocangzhu can be dug in spring, summer and autumn, but the quality is best when harvested in August.

Sowing methods for Atractylodes lancea

1. Seedbed preparation: Atractylodes lancea is generally raised as seedlings in early April. On the selected plot, apply chemical fertilizer or farmyard manure; diammonium phosphate is best as the chemical fertilizer, 40 jin per mu is enough, then rake level and fine, make beds, and before making the beds apply insecticide to prevent underground pests from damaging the seedlings.

2. Sowing and covering with grass: Atractylodes lancea can be sown in drills or broadcast. For drill sowing, open furrows across the bed surface and evenly scatter the seeds into the furrows; for broadcast sowing, evenly scatter the seeds directly on the bed surface. Use 3 to 4 kg of seed per mu, cover with grass after sowing, water frequently to keep the soil moist, and remove the covering grass after the seedlings emerge.

3. Timely transplanting: Thin the seedlings when the Atractylodes lancea seedlings are about 3 cm tall, and transplant when they are about 10 cm tall. The planting spacing is about 15×30 cm. After planting, cover with soil, press firm and water. Generally, transplanting on rainy days or in the afternoon makes it easier to survive.

Planting methods for Atractylodes lancea

1. Land preparation and fertilization: For growing Atractylodes lancea, choose loam soil, sandy loam soil or humus loam soil with deep soil layers, good drainage, loose and fertile texture and plenty of sunlight for making beds. Apply 2000 kg of farmyard manure per mu, usually using the large-ridge high-bed technique.

2. Cultivation and weeding: During the seedling stage of Atractylodes lancea, weed and loosen the soil frequently. After transplanting, pay attention to cultivation and weeding. If the weather is dry, water in good time, and this can also be done together with topdressing.

3. Reasonable topdressing: During the seedling stage of Atractylodes lancea, apply 2000 kg per mu of thoroughly decomposed dilute human and livestock manure water. In June to July, apply 2500 to 3000 kg of thoroughly decomposed human manure and urine plus 15 kg of superphosphate. In October, open furrows between the rows and apply thoroughly decomposed stable manure or compost, then water and cover with soil after application.

4. Irrigation and drainage: When growing Atractylodes lancea, if drought occurs, water in good time to keep the soil moist. In the rainy season, pay attention to timely drainage to prevent waterlogging, so as to avoid root rot and seedling death, and to prevent reduced yield and quality.

5. Bud removal and seed retention: In commercial fields of Atractylodes lancea, remove the flower buds in good time at the budding stage so that nutrients are concentrated for the growth of the underground rhizome. For seed fields, choose loose and fertile land and healthy, disease-free planting material, appropriately thin flowers and buds, and cultivate excellent seeds and seedlings.

6. Harvesting and processing: Atractylodes lancea can be harvested 3 to 4 years after sowing or 2 to 3 years after transplanting. In spring or autumn, after the aboveground stems and leaves wither in October to November, choose a sunny day to dig up the rhizomes. Shake off the soil from the dug rhizomes, remove the remaining stems, dry in the sun or dry by heat, then knock off the fibrous roots and it is ready.

7. Pest and disease control: Northern Atractylodes lancea is easily damaged by aphids. Remove dead branches and fallen leaves in good time, bury them deeply or burn them. During the outbreak period, spray with 50% fenitrothion 1000 to 2000 times solution or 40% dimethoate emulsifiable concentrate 1500 to 2000 times solution, once every 7 days, continuously until there is no pest damage.