Detailed explanation of high-yield cultivation techniques for Agastache rugosa (huoxiang): plant it this way for higher yields

Agastache rugosa, also known as tuhuoxiang, paixiangcao, shanbohe, yehuoxiang, etc. The whole plant is used medicinally. It has effects such as clearing heat and relieving summer heat, promoting qi movement and resolving dampness, and strengthening the stomach and stopping vomiting. Clinically it is mainly used to treat wind-cold common cold, vomiting and diarrhea, chest tightness, headache, and other conditions. The huoxiang oil extracted from it is a raw material for making many Chinese patent medicines. It is distributed throughout both northern and southern parts of China.

Morphological characteristics: It is an annual herbaceous plant of the Lamiaceae family. It is a perennial upright herb. The plant height is 0.5-1.5 m, and it is aromatic. The leaves are opposite, and the petioles are 1- cm long; the leaf blades are cordate-ovate to oblong-rounded-lanceolate, with blunt teeth on the margins. Verticillasters are gathered into terminal spike-like inflorescences; the corolla is pale purple-blue, the upper lip is slightly concave, and the lower lip is 3-lobed. The nutlets are ovate and short-rounded. The flowering period is June-July, and the fruiting period is July-August.

I. Growth habits: Agastache rugosa prefers a warm, humid environment with sufficient sunlight. It has no strict requirements for soil, but loam with deep soil layers, loose fertility, and rich organic matter is best. Saline-alkali land, heavy clay, and low-lying land are not suitable for planting.

II. Land preparation and fertilization: Select a field suitable for growth and carry out intensive cultivation. In combination with land preparation, apply sufficient base fertilizer: apply 3000 kg of farmyard manure, 20 kg of urea, and 50 kg of phosphate and potassium fertilizer per mu. Then make beds and wait for sowing.

III. Sowing: Agastache rugosa is propagated by seed. Direct sowing is mostly used, and seedling transplanting can also be used. Sowing periods include spring sowing and autumn sowing. Spring sowing is around Qingming, and autumn sowing is around Shuangjiang. Direct sowing: Sow Agastache rugosa seeds on the prepared bed surface at a row spacing of 30×25 cm. Water to preserve soil moisture and promote germination. The sowing rate is 1 kg per mu. Raising seedlings: Evenly scatter Agastache rugosa seeds onto the prepared bed surface, lightly loosen the surface soil so that the soil covers the seeds. Water to preserve soil moisture and promote germination. After the seedlings emerge uniformly, strengthen field management. When the seedlings are 15 cm tall, they can be transplanted. The sowing rate is 2 kg per mu. Transplanting: Set Agastache rugosa seedlings on the prepared bed surface at a row spacing of 30×25 cm. Plant 2-3 plants per hole. Water to preserve soil moisture and promote survival.

IV. Field management: After Agastache rugosa seedlings emerge uniformly or after transplanting survives, attention should be paid to cultivating and weeding. Water frequently in dry weather and drain promptly in rainy weather. Before and after the rows close, apply topdressing once: each time apply 20 kg of urea and 5 kg of potassium dihydrogen phosphate.

V. Pest and disease control: The main diseases of Agastache rugosa include leaf spot and wilt. Before onset, 65% mancozeb can be used for control, and in the early stage of onset, 50% carbendazim can be used for control. Among insect pests, there are red spiders, which can be controlled with Sanfangling. Silver Y moth larvae bite and eat the leaves and can be killed with fenvalerate. For underground pests, use phoxim with poisoned bait to trap and kill them.

VI. Harvesting and processing: Agastache rugosa is generally harvested at full flowering stage. At harvest, cut the entire Agastache rugosa plant down close to the root and sun-dry it before selling it for medicinal use. In the south, it can be harvested 2 times a year. The yield per mu is 300-500 kg. The best quality is dry, with many leaves and a strong fragrance.