Detailed Explanation of Key Points in Cultivation Techniques of the Medicinal Herb Milk Thistle

Milk thistleis an annual herb, with the seeds used medicinally; it has the functions of mildly clearing heat and detoxifying, protecting the liver and promoting bile flow. It is not particular about soil conditions and has strong drought and cold resistance. Sown in spring of the same year and harvested in autumn, it is simple to manage and delivers good returns.

1. Milk thistle grows about 1 m tall, flowers from June to July, and fruits from July to August. It is a sun-loving plant and can grow in ordinary soil.

2. Sow directly between Qingming and Lixia. Make shallow furrows 2 cm deep with a row spacing of 30 cm, sow the seeds evenly into them, cover with soil and rake level, then press down lightly. If the soil is moist, no watering is needed. Before sowing, it is best to soak the seeds for one day, take them out and mix them with damp sand, and wait 2-3 days before sowing; this gives faster and more uniform emergence.

3. When the seedlings are 6-10 cm tall, thin them to a final stand, using a plant spacing of 20-30 cm, or adjusted according to the site. After establishment, a chemical fertilizer can be applied to promote growth, generally 10-15 kg of urea per mu, along with a foliar spray of potassium dihydrogen phosphate, sprayed once every 15 days for 3 consecutive times, to increase fruit weight. Pay attention to watering in dry weather and to drainage in the rainy season.

4. From August to September the fruits mature successively. Pick them, dry them in the sun and thresh out the seeds; these are the finished product.