Figwort Seed Prices and Planting Methods Explained

Figwort is also known as Yuanshen, Black Ginseng, Chongtai, etc. It is a tall herbaceous plant of the genus Scrophularia in the family Scrophulariaceae, often growing in bamboo groves, beside streams, in forests and tall grass. It is distributed in Zhejiang, Sichuan, Hubei, Guizhou, Hunan, Jiangxi and other places in China. Its root is used as medicine and has the effects of clearing heat and cooling blood, nourishing yin and reducing fire, and detoxifying and dissipating masses. Now let us take a look at figwort seed prices and planting methods!

How much is a jin of figwort seeds?

The price of figwort seeds is about 30 to 40 yuan per jin, but prices vary depending on seed quality, variety, place of origin, market and so on. Figwort is commonly propagated by daughter buds, seeds, division and cuttings. In production, daughter buds are generally used for propagation; the propagation rate with seeds is relatively low, but seed propagation grows quickly, can produce a product in one year, and has fewer diseases. At harvest time, select disease-free, robust, white daughter buds 3 to 4 cm long and keep them from the rhizome as propagation material. The south uses winter planting, while the north mainly uses spring planting.

Sowing methods for figwort

1. Sowing time: Figwort cultivation in the south is divided into spring sowing and autumn sowing. Spring sowing is carried out in February, and autumn sowing is carried out from October to early November. Spring sowing can be harvested in the same year, but the quality is relatively poor. Autumn sowing grows quickly, is harvested the following year, and has better quality and yield than spring sowing.

2. Sowing method: Figwort is raised in sunny seedbeds. After the bed is prepared, irrigate and sow. Scatter the seeds evenly or sow in rows, sift some fine soil over them to cover the seeds, then cover with a layer of rice straw or wheat straw to help preserve moisture and warmth.

3. Post-sowing management: Remove the covering straw before the figwort seedlings emerge. Pay attention to maintaining moisture until the seedlings emerge. Weed frequently. After the seedlings emerge completely, thin them 2 to 3 times. Because figwort seedlings grow very thin and weak, apply a small amount of fertilizer. When the seedlings are 6 cm tall, they can be transplanted to the field.

Planting methods for figwort

1. Site selection and land preparation: For figwort planting, choose deep sandy loam soil, or cultivate on sunny slopes of barren hills. The previous crop is best as legumes or grasses. Figwort roots go very deep into the soil and have a strong ability to absorb nutrients, so deep plowing is needed and sufficient base fertilizer should be applied.

2. Cultivation and weeding: When figwort seedlings emerge, pull out weeds as soon as they appear, but when weeding, do not loosen the soil too deeply, to avoid damaging the root tubers. From April to June, carry out cultivation and weeding 3 to 4 times. After June, once the plants have grown larger, there is no need to loosen the soil again, but still pull out any weeds.

3. Timely topdressing: In addition to applying sufficient base fertilizer, before the rows close, topdress 1 to 2 times mainly with phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, and also apply some barnyard manure or compost. Open small holes or furrows beside the plants, apply it, cover with soil firmly, and earth up around the roots.

4. Reasonable thinning: In the second year after figwort is planted, many seedlings will grow from the roots, causing the roots to swell and increasing yield. Pull out the excess plants in time, generally leaving only 2 to 3 plants.

5. Timely topping: When figwort grows to a certain extent, it will send up flower stalks. If the figwort is harvested as a commercial product and not used for seed, remove the flower stalks promptly when they emerge, so that nutrients are concentrated in the root tubers and root swelling is promoted.

6. Watering and drainage: Figwort is relatively drought-tolerant and not waterlogging-tolerant. When drought is especially severe, water appropriately to keep the soil moist, but do not allow heavy waterlogging. In the rainy season, when rainwater accumulates, drain it promptly.

Pest and disease control for figwort

1. Leaf spot disease

[Damage] It is more serious in the rainy season and commonly occurs in both north and south. In severe cases, leaves wither and die.

[Control] Before and in the early stage of the disease, spray 1:1:100 Bordeaux mixture or 65% zineb 500 times solution, once every 7 to 10 days.

2. Southern blight

[Damage] It harms roots and rhizomes. It occurs from June to September and is severe when there is a lot of rain. The roots rot, and diseased plants quickly wilt and die.

[Control] Before planting, soak the planting material in 50% thiram 1000 times solution for 5 minutes, then dry it and plant.

3. Cutworm

[Damage] It harms the rhizomes and young buds of figwort.

[Control] Use 100 grams of 2% methomyl emulsifiable concentrate, add 1 kg of water to dilute it, spray it on 100 kg of fresh grass or vegetables and mix into a poisonous bait to trap and kill them.

4. Red spider mite

[Damage] It harms leaves, causing white spots, yellowing and drying.

[Control] In the early stage of the disease, spray 0.2 to 0.3 degrees Baume lime sulfur mixture for control.