How to Grow Cnidium monnieri? Latest Planting Techniques and Method Tutorial

Cnidium monnieri, also known as wild fennel, Cnidium fruit, and Cnidium seed, is a perennial herb of the genus Cnidium in the Apiaceae family. It is distributed in most parts of China and often grows on hillsides, grasslands, roadsides, in thickets, and under forests. When used as medicine, it has the effects of warming the kidneys, strengthening yang, drying dampness, dispelling wind, and killing insects, and it has relatively high cultivation value. Let us take a look at the planting techniques for Cnidium monnieri below!

Land Preparation and Fertilization

Cnidium monnieri has strong adaptability, prefers a cool and moist environment, and likes water and fertilizer. It is not strict about soil requirements and can generally be cultivated in ordinary soil, but loam soil with a thick layer, loose texture, and fertility is best. Choose a field with flat terrain, loose and fertile soil, and rich organic matter, and carry out intensive cultivation. In combination with land preparation, apply sufficient base fertilizer: 3000 kg of farmyard manure, 20 kg of urea, and 50 kg of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer per mu. Then make beds, clear the drainage ditches, and wait for sowing.

Sowing Methods

Cnidium monnieri is propagated by seed. The sowing periods include autumn sowing and spring sowing. Autumn sowing is in September to October, and spring sowing is around Qingming. Before sowing, first soak the seeds in water for 12 hours, mix them evenly with 2 times their volume of wet sand, and sow after 2 to 3 days. During the treatment period, pay attention to stirring and keep the temperature and humidity consistent from top to bottom. Seeds sown in winter do not need treatment. When sowing, first use a seed drill to open shallow furrows on the prepared bed surface, evenly scatter the seeds into the furrows, then turn the rake over and level it twice so that the soil covers the seeds. Water to keep the soil moist to help emergence. The sowing rate is 2 to 3 kg per mu.

Field Management

Cnidium monnieri grows very quickly. After the seedlings emerge evenly, attention should be paid to cultivating and weeding. Water immediately in dry weather, and drain promptly in rainy weather. After budding, apply topdressing once, with 5 kg of urea and 5 kg of potassium dihydrogen phosphate per mu. However, usually no chemical fertilizer is applied in the first year of planting to avoid lodging. It can be planted twice in succession in one year, and the second time does not require sowing seeds again.

Pest and Disease Control

The main disease of Cnidium monnieri is leaf spot disease, which can be controlled by spraying with 500 times diluted 40% carbendazim in the early stage of the disease, once a week for 3 consecutive sprays. For powdery mildew, triadimefon can be used for control in the early stage of the disease. The main pests include patterned green caterpillars that bite and eat the leaves, or armyworms that eat the flower buds. They can be killed with phoxim and fenvalerate.

Harvesting and Processing

Cnidium monnieri takes 3 months from sowing to harvest. Those sown around the Start of Winter are harvested in mid-June, spring-sown ones are harvested in mid-July, and summer-sown ones are harvested in mid-September. When 90% of the seeds are mature, cut off the upper seed-bearing branches with a sickle, dry them in the sun, thresh, and winnow out impurities, and they can be sold as medicine. Those with yellow color, plump seeds, and strong fragrance are considered the best quality. The yield is 200 kg per mu.