How to Plant Plantain Seeds? A Complete Guide to the Latest Planting Methods
Plantain seed, also known as Asiatic plantain, depressed plantain, plantain kernel, etc., is the dried mature seed of Plantago asiatica or Plantago depressa of the Plantaginaceae family. It is widely distributed throughout China, often growing in grasslands, riverbanks, ditchesides, meadows, fields and roadsides. Its young plants are edible, and the whole plant used as medicine has the effects of promoting diuresis, clearing heat, improving eyesight and resolving phlegm. Let us take a look together at how to plant plantain seeds!
Sow at the Right Time
The suitable sowing period for plantain seed is late July, and the seedbed should first be placed under a trellis for gourds or yams. The seeding rate for field planting is 40-50 grams per mu, with a seedbed area of 10 sq m. After leveling the seedbed, water it thoroughly, mix the seeds evenly with fine sand, sow them, then cover lightly with fine soil and cover with wet rice straw to retain moisture and help germination. After 60% of the seeds have emerged, remove the covering straw, then cover with a shade net to shade, cool and retain moisture for seedling cultivation. The seedling age is 30-35 days, and strong seedlings with 4-5 fully expanded leaves should be raised.
Apply Sufficient Base Fertilizer
For the plantain seed crop rotation, it is best to choose idle land after harvesting early-maturing peanuts or autumn soybeans, or autumn fallow fields after early rice harvest. Per mu, spread 2000-3000 kg of cattle and pig pen manure plus 40-50 kg of boron-containing compound fertilizer or 1 kg of borax as base fertilizer. After plowing, harrowing and leveling the land, make beds 1.2 m wide and of unlimited length. The furrows should be 30 cm wide and 20 cm deep. Irrigation is needed during autumn and winter droughts, and drainage is essential during rainy spring and summer.
Transplant at the Right Time
The suitable transplanting period for plantain seed is late August to early September. Before transplanting, spray 150 g of dinitramine per mu mixed with 50 kg of water onto the surface soil to control weeds. Transplant on a cloudy afternoon before White Dew. Plant 4 rows per bed at a spacing of 30*20 cm, with one strong soil-bearing seedling per hole, planting 8500-9000 plants per mu. After planting, water with a rooting solution containing 0.2% urea. On the second day after planting, if there is sunny and dry weather, irrigate with running water in the evening so that the bed is thoroughly soaked.
Topdress at the Right Time
The first topdressing for plantain seed is carried out 7 days after frost, applying 5 kg of urea per mu mixed with 1000 kg of water. After 10 days, apply the second topdressing (same amount as before). About 25 days after planting, spray 100-150 g of borax and 150 g of methamidophos mixed with 50 kg of water on the leaves to promote spike flower differentiation and prevent aphid damage. Around October 1, the plants should be more than 20 cm tall, with leaves more than 10 cm wide and about 10 large leaves per plant, to encourage the growth of many large spikes and lay a good foundation for a high yield.
Harvesting and Processing
1. Seed harvest: Plantain seed can be harvested when the husks of the lower fruits on the spike begin to turn light brown, the husks of the middle fruits begin to turn yellow, and the upper fruits have finished flowering. It is best to harvest in the morning or on cloudy days. After the seeds are sun-dried, store them in a dry place.
2. Whole plant harvest: When the plantain seedlings grow to 6-7 leaves and 13-17 cm in height, they can be harvested for use as a vegetable. The medicinal efficacy is highest in the late vigorous growth stage and before the spike stage, when the spike has emerged to the same length as the leaves but has not yet flowered, and the whole plant can be cut for harvest.
Pest and Disease Control
1. Powdery mildew
[Damage] A layer of grayish-white powder appears on the surface or underside of the leaves, and eventually the leaves wither and die.
[Control] Spray with 50% thiophanate-methyl 1000 times dilution at the early stage of the disease.
2. Aphids
[Damage] They damage the plant leaves and cause reduced yield.
[Control] Spray with 10% imidacloprid wettable powder 1500 times dilution for a good effect.
3. Spike blight
[Damage] The spike is gradually infected from top to bottom, becoming dark brown and necrotic, directly affecting the yield and quality of plantain.
[Control] In March and April, use 4 packets of 40% Huoba wettable powder per mu, or alternate with 80% allicin and Aopuan.