What should be noted during the process of growing Gastrodia elata?
What should be noted when growing Gastrodia elata? We ask netizens to help explain. Zhongdi Web has compiled the points to note when growing Gastrodia elata, listed below for netizens' reference. 1. Suitable cultivation time for Gastrodia elata: Gastrodia elata cultivation is generally from late October of the current year to April of the following year. From late October to early December, the soil freezes...
What should be noted when growing Gastrodia elata? We ask netizens to help explainZhongdi Web has compiled the points to note when growing Gastrodia elata, listed below for netizens' reference.
1. Suitable cultivation time for Gastrodia elata:
Gastrodia elata cultivation is generally from late October of the current year to April of the following year. Sowing before the soil freezes from late October to early December is winter planting; sowing after the soil thaws in March-April is spring planting; in high-altitude mountainous areas the sowing time can be extended to May.
2. Selection of the Gastrodia elata growing site:
For the cultivation site you can choose any land or field plot such as in front of or behind the house, wild sloping land, orchard land, and so on, with sandy loam soil that has strong air permeability and water permeability being the best. The soil pH is 5-6.
3. Requirements for building beds when growing Gastrodia elata:
On flat ground, beds can be made on the spot with a width of 80 cm, a depth of 10 cm, and unlimited length; on wild sloping land, build terraced horizontal beds according to the slope and terrain, with about 1 m between beds, and keep trees and weeds at the bed edges as much as possible to provide shade and prevent the bed banks or bed ridges from collapsing. In orchard land, build beds according to the terrain and dig drainage ditches around them.
4. Sowing and cultivation method for Gastrodia elata:
Arrange segments of fungal wood with a diameter of 5-8 cm and a length of 30 cm in a square frame shape like a grid at the bottom of the bed, placing 15 fungal wood segments per square meter at set positions. Then scatter fungal branches with a diameter of about 2 cm and a length of 10 cm into the empty spaces inside the fungal wood square frames, scattering about 2 kg of fungal branches in each square frame space, level with the fungal wood.
Then spot-sow Gastrodia elata seeds at both ends and both sides of each fungal wood segment, sowing 66 seeds per square meter at set points, about 500 g. Finally, fill the gaps between the fungal wood and fungal branches with moist sandy loam or humus soil with a pH of 5-6 until the fungal wood is covered to a depth of 2 cm, cover the entire bed surface with 10-20 cm of dry branches, leaves, and weeds, and clear the drainage ditches properly.
5. Key points for daily management of Gastrodia elata:
1. Management of growing temperature:The suitable temperature for Gastrodia elata production is 13-25 degrees (10 cm below the soil surface); within this temperature range, the higher the better. Temperature control is important work in the management of imitating wild cultivation of Gastrodia elata.
In winter, prevent freezing. In areas below 1000 m in altitude, covering with 10-20 cm of branches, leaves, and weeds after planting is sufficient; in areas above 1000 m, the covering can be thickened to 30 cm. In summer and autumn, prevent high temperatures and drought. In addition to using shade materials to prevent high temperatures, water supplementation can also be used to lower the soil temperature. Water supplementation should be carried out after sunset and after the soil temperature drops.
2. Management of growing moisture:From winter to the following spring (before Qingming), control the soil temperature at 10%-20%. From April to June, increase soil moisture to about 60%. From June to August, Gastrodia elata enters the peak growing period, and nutrient accumulation reaches its peak; at this time it is appropriate to retain water and lower temperature, preserve soil moisture and drain waterlogging, and carry out comprehensive management. By September, nutrient accumulation in Gastrodia elata enters the late stage and reaches the physiological maturity stage; at this time the soil moisture in the bed should be controlled below 40%. In late October, the soil temperature has dropped to 10 degrees C, and Gastrodia elata enters dormancy, so the soil can be uncovered and digging can begin. About 7 kg of fresh Gastrodia elata can be dug per square meter.
6. Methods for preventing and controlling diseases and insect pests of Gastrodia elata:
The main pests harming the growth of Gastrodia elata include mole crickets, white grubs, and white ants. Control methods: First, when cultivating Gastrodia elata, scatter 5% chlordane powder and "Termite Killer King" pesticide around the bed; second, use the patented product, the white ant control trap, to trap and kill white ants.
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