What are the key points of Mesona chinensis cultivation techniques?

Mesona chinensisBecause its branches and leaves can be boiled in water to make grass jelly, it is called "Mesona chinensis" (grass jelly plant). Grass jelly is the best green food for relieving summer heat and quenching thirst in the south, and has always been loved by people. Therefore, the value of Mesona chinensis is getting higher and higher. Last year, the retail price of its dried product reached 10-14 yuan per kg. Each 667 sq m yields 1500-2500 kg of dried grass, with an output value of 8000-12000 yuan, and the planting cost per 667 sq m for self-propagated seedlings, including labor wages, does not exceed 1500 yuan. If Mesona chinensis is processed into grass jelly, the economic benefit will double.

1. Characteristics of Mesona chinensis. Mesona chinensis, also known as Xianren dong, Xianren cao, and Xian cao, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Lamiaceae family. It grows in clumps and creeps along the ground, with opposite leaves, shallow roots and a well-developed root system, and strong regeneration ability. The branches are about 40 cm long. The whole growth period is about 210 days. It is suitable for various soils. It goes dormant when the temperature is below 10°C, begins to grow when the temperature is above 10°C, and grows vigorously below 20°C. It is relatively drought-tolerant but not waterlogging-tolerant. Throughout the whole growth period there are no diseases or insect pests, and pigs, cattle, chickens, and ducks do not eat it. It can be planted at the edges of fields, on soil ridges and banks, and in front of and behind houses, and one planting brings benefits for many years.

2. Cultivation techniques. Choose a field with good fertilizer and water conditions, turn over the soil, break it up, rake it level, and open surrounding ditches so that water does not accumulate. For 667 sq m, evenly broadcast 20 loads of decomposed pig and cattle pen manure and 50 kg of calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizer on the soil surface, then plow again, and then make beds 1.2 m wide, 0.3 m high, and with an average width of 0.3 m. Level and finely crush the bed surface, and remove weeds. Begin planting when the temperature reaches above 10°C (Mesona chinensis has extremely strong vitality; as long as it is kept moist after planting, it can basically be planted all year round). When planting, dig furrows at a row spacing of 27 cm, and at a plant spacing of 20 cm place a pinch of composted human manure slurry mixed with plant ash or fermented oil cake mixed with plant ash and soil, mix well, and plant. Do not plant too deep; it is best to cover the root system with soil. After planting, water thoroughly to settle the roots. If drought occurs, water it. About one week after the seedlings survive, apply the first fertilizer with 10% human urine water, then every 10 days apply 5 kg of urea per 667 sq m together with 20 loads of dilute human urine. After one month, choose a sunny day for intertillage and weeding. Be sure not to damage the root system, and for 667 sq m use 20 loads of fresh pig and cattle pen manure to cover the gaps between plants and rows to prevent weed growth. After about 45 days, when the branches are about 35-40 cm long, harvesting can begin, with 4-5 harvests per year.