What issues should be noted when introducing Gastrodia elata?
What issues should be noted when introducing Gastrodia elata? Experienced netizens are asked to help explain. Zhongdiwang has compiled the precautions for introducing Gastrodia elata, listed below for netizens to study and reference. Note 1. Whether the local climate is suitable for cultivating Gastrodia elata: The most suitable growth temperature for Gastrodia elata is 20~25°C. If the temperature is too high...
What issues should be noted when introducing Gastrodia elata? Experienced netizens are asked to help explainZhongdiwang has compiled the precautions for introducing Gastrodia elata, listed below for netizens to study and reference.
Note 1. Whether the local climate is suitable for cultivating Gastrodia elata:
The most suitable growth temperature for Gastrodia elata is 20~25°C. If the temperature is too high or too low, Gastrodia elata will grow more slowly or even enter dormancy. Especially when the temperature is too high, rot of the tubers is also likely to occur.
Therefore, Gastrodia elata is most suitable for planting in mountainous areas with slightly higher altitude, luxuriant forest growth, cool summer climate, and relatively high air humidity. To plant Gastrodia elata in other areas, efforts must be made to improve local climatic conditions. Especially when planting Gastrodia elata in low mountains, in summer there must be ventilation, cooling, and moisture retention to prevent the tubers from rotting. If the environment is unsuitable, it is best not to introduce Gastrodia elata rashly.
Note 2. Whether there is a site suitable for cultivating Gastrodia elata:
To plant Gastrodia elata, trees such as cork oak (Quercus variabilis), sawtooth oak (Quercus acutissima), and Mongolian oak (Quercus dentata), which have solid, rot-resistant wood and thick bark that does not easily fall off, are needed as fungal wood, and at the same time natural broad-leaved forest humus soil that is rich in organic matter, slightly acidic, loose and breathable, and free of diseases and insect pests is needed as culture soil.
Before introducing Gastrodia elata, first investigate whether such resources exist nearby. In addition, the cultivation site for Gastrodia elata is also very important; it requires clean surroundings, few miscellaneous bacteria, fresh air, and relatively high humidity. If the environment is too dry and beginners spray water improperly, it can easily cause tuber rot.
Note 3. Whether the Gastrodia elata fungal bed is ready:
Gastrodia elata differs from ordinary plants. It is a strictly heterotrophic organism and cannot manufacture nutrients itself. It can only grow by relying on its associated fungus, Armillaria mellea, to provide nutrients.
Therefore, to plant Gastrodia elata, an Armillaria mellea bed must first be prepared. Generally, when introducing Gastrodia elata in late autumn and early winter, it is necessary to start introducing the fungal strain and culturing fungal wood in June to August, so that after the Gastrodia elata is introduced back it can be sown smoothly. If the fungal bed is prepared at the same time as the introduction, not only will investment increase, but first-year yield will also be relatively low and benefits poor.
Note 4. Whether the season for introducing Gastrodia elata is suitable:
Because the seeds of sexual reproduction of Gastrodia elata have a relatively short storage period and propagation is relatively difficult, farmers currently basically introduce white-headed tubers and small tubers as seed. Gastrodia elata is generally sown as soon as it is harvested, and the best sowing and harvesting season is around November in late autumn and early winter.
When introducing Gastrodia elata in winter, it is necessary to prevent the seed tubers from freezing injury; when introducing Gastrodia elata in spring, if the temperature is already high and Gastrodia elata has begun to sprout and grow but there is no Armillaria mellea to provide nutrients in time, then Gastrodia elata will grow poorly and yield will decrease noticeably. In other seasons, it is not suitable to introduce Gastrodia elata.
Note 5. Whether the Gastrodia elata seed supplier is reliable:
At present there are many units supplying Gastrodia elata seed, but there are also many false advertisements and false information, so farmers must be extremely cautious when introducing seed. Farmers with the means should preferably go to regular national research institutes and colleges to obtain seed from relevant experts, or go directly to the main producing areas of Gastrodia elata to obtain seed.
If there is wild Gastrodia elata locally, wild Gastrodia elata can also be purchased as seed. Under no circumstances should you believe small advertisements sent or distributed, and do not easily order by mail without an on-site investigation.
Note 6. Gastrodia elata seed should be quantified according to the size of the planting site:
Taking the common pit cultivation of Gastrodia elata in mountainous areas as an example, if each pit is laid with two layers of fungal wood, each layer using 10 pieces of fungal wood, and beside each piece of fungal wood 5 Gastrodia elata seed tubers of about 20 grams are placed, then each pit requires 2 kg of Gastrodia elata seed of about 20 grams.
Because Gastrodia elata varieties and seed tuber sizes differ, the specific seed purchase still needs to be adapted flexibly. For red Gastrodia elata, the amount of seed used per pit can be slightly smaller; for dark Gastrodia elata, the amount of seed used per pit should be slightly larger. If the seed tubers are small, the amount used per pit can be slightly smaller; if the seed tubers are large, the amount used per pit should be appropriately increased. If too much seed is purchased, planting costs will increase; if too little seed is purchased, the yield for that year will be affected.
Note 7. Gastrodia elata seed must be selected for high quality:
It is best to introduce Gastrodia elata seed that has been planted for 1-2 generations after sexual reproduction; such Gastrodia elata seed has vigorous vitality, fast growth, and high yield. Small white tubers or small tubers can both be used as seed, and the seed tuber size is best around 20 grams. In addition, the seed tubers should be fresh, yellow-white, free of diseases and insect pests, and free of wounds. Any Gastrodia elata that is aged, damaged, or carrying diseases and insect pests should not be used as seed.
Note 8. Protection of Gastrodia elata seed during preservation and transport:
For transport of seed tubers, packaging with heat-preserving and breathable materials is needed, with materials such as moss used to separate each layer of seed tubers, and a certain humidity should be maintained to prevent the seed tubers from losing water, suffering freezing injury, or receiving mechanical damage during transport. Never package and transport the seed tubers directly in airtight plastic bags, so as to avoid losses.
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