Cultivation Techniques and Management Methods for Inula japonica

Inula japonica, also known as Jinfo flower, Jinfo grass, etc., Latin scientific name: Inula japonica Thunb., is a perennial herb belonging to the Asteraceae family and the genus Inula, mainly distributed in Northeast China, North China, East China, Central China and Guangxi and other places. It is harvested when the flowers bloom in summer and autumn, impurities are removed, and it is dried in the shade or in the sun.

1. Climate and soil: A warm and humid climate is most suitable. It grows well in fertile sandy loam or humus loam.

2. Land preparation: Autumn plowing should be carried out before sowing, and base fertilizer should be applied at 6000-8000 jin per mu. In late March of the following year, shallow plowing should be done once more, then the soil should be raked level and beds should be made, with a bed width of 1-1.2 m.

3. Planting and seed propagation: Open shallow furrows at a row spacing of 30 cm for drilling, sow the seeds evenly into the furrows, cover with a thin layer of soil, press lightly, and then water. The sowing rate is 1.5-2 jin per mu. For seedling raising in a sunny bed, carry it out 10-15 days earlier than direct sowing. After the bed surface is leveled, water heavily once. After the water seeps down, sowing can begin. After broadcast sowing, cover with a thin layer of soil, and seedlings emerge in about 10-14 days. When the seedlings have 3-4 true leaves, transplant them at a row spacing of 30×15 cm. Division propagation: Carry it out from mid-April to early May. Open holes at a row spacing of 30×15 cm, dig out the new plants growing beside the mother plant, and plant them separately in the holes, planting 2-3 seedlings per hole, so that the roots spread out in the hole. After covering with soil and pressing firmly, water.

4. Field management: In dry weather, water in time. When the surface soil becomes compacted due to hot drought or after heavy rain, loosen the soil in time to reduce water evaporation.