What are the latest key points for growing Pseudostellaria heterophylla?

Pseudostellaria heterophylla has a very broad range of uses, is in great demand on the market, and has excellent prospects for cultivation. Today we will briefly discuss the basic key points for growing Pseudostellaria heterophylla.

Choosing the plot, applying sufficient base fertilizer

Choose a hillside plot of red-yellow soil, ideally second-year fallow land after one year of cropping; the plot must not hold standing water after rain. The plot must be finely cultivated and formed into beds 1 m wide, with furrows 25 cm wide and 15 cm deep. On the leveled bed surface, open furrows crosswise at a row spacing of 12-15 cm and a depth of 6-9 cm. Per mu of plot, apply 15-20 kg of NPK compound fertilizer and 40 kg of superphosphate, or 2000-2500 kg of human and livestock manure plus 40 kg of superphosphate, as base fertilizer, and add an appropriate amount of carbofuran mixed into the base fertilizer to control damage by termites, cutworms and the like.

Planting at the right time, ensuring planting quality

Planting can be done from late October to December, generally in early November. For seed roots, choose larger, pest- and disease-free, intact tuberous roots as seed roots. Place the seed roots into the furrows at a plant spacing of 6-7 cm, with the buds pointing upward and slightly tilted; never plant them vertically. After planting, cover the seed with soil and farmyard manure. Too sparse a density affects yield, while too dense a density increases the amount of seed used and raises production costs; about 40 kg of seed roots are needed per mu. The planting depth should preferably be 6 cm; too deep and the tuberous roots are fat but fewer in number, affecting yield; too shallow and the tuberous roots are small and prone to branching, and in dry weather they easily dry out and die, affecting yield and quality. After planting, water promptly to settle the roots.

Strengthening field management to ensure a bumper harvest

In February-March, after the seedlings are fully emerged, carry out intertillage to loosen the soil and remove weeds. When loosening the soil, do not step on the beds; stand in the furrows to work. Combined with fertilizing, apply per mu 1500-2000 kg of human and livestock manure and 8 kg of compound fertilizer, watered on. In April-May, carry out intertillage and weeding twice, with topdressing according to seedling condition. Pseudostellaria heterophylla is sensitive to waterlogging, high temperatures and drought. After rain, clear the furrows and drain water promptly; in the dry season, water promptly.

Harvesting in time, storing the seed

In June the aboveground part of Pseudostellaria heterophylla begins to wither; after withering, cut off the yellow leaves of the aboveground part and then dig it up. This is the seed-saving period for Pseudostellaria heterophylla; generally the seed is kept in the growing plot by intercropping spring soybeans in the seed plot. When the Pseudostellaria heterophylla plants are completely yellow and withered, the soybeans use their branches and leaves to shade and cool the plot, which helps the seed survive the summer safely. After harvesting Pseudostellaria heterophylla, sun-dry it for 2-3 days; once dried, the fine roots are brittle and can be knocked off by turning it a few times in time, then winnow away the fibrous roots with a winnowing basket, and it can be sold as medicinal material.