Methods for the Prevention and Control of Pests and Diseases of Apocynum venetum and Key Technical Points

Apocynum venetum, also known as red hemp, tea-leaf flower, red willow seed, etc., is an upright subshrub 1.5-3 m tall, generally about 2 m tall and up to 4 m at most. It grows in sandy soils along riverbanks, in mountain gullies and on mountain slopes. In China, Apocynum venetum is distributed in all provinces (autonomous regions) north of the Huai River, the Qinling Mountains and the Kunlun Mountains. It has the effects of clearing heat, lowering blood pressure, strengthening the heart and promoting diuresis, and is used to treat heart disease and other conditions. Apocynum venetum rarely develops diseases during its growing period. The main disease is leaf spot. If leaf spot is found during the growing period, it should immediately be prevented with a 600-800 times dilution of 50% Tuzet; if application is needed again, the interval should be 7-10 days. Diseased plants should be removed promptly, and garden sanitation should be carried out well at harvest time, with diseased plants gathered and destroyed to reduce sources of infection.