How much do Orychophragmus violaceus seeds cost? Detailed planting methods
Orychophragmus violaceus, also known as Zhuge cai, February blue, and caizihua, is an annual or biennial herbaceous plant of the genus Orychophragmus in the Brassicaceae family. It gets its name because it blooms with blue-purple flowers around the second lunar month. It often grows on plains, in mountainous areas, along roadsides, and at field edges. It can be cultivated as an ornamental flower and can also serve as a common wild vegetable in early spring. Let us take a look at Orychophragmus violaceus seed prices and planting methods below!
How much do Orychophragmus violaceus seeds cost per jin?
The price of Orychophragmus violaceus seeds is about 30 to 50 yuan per jin, but prices vary greatly depending on seed quality, variety, market, and other factors. Orychophragmus violaceus has a strong ability to self-propagate; once sown, it can form its own colony year after year. Each year from May to June, after the seeds mature, they fall into the soil on their own. In September, green seedlings emerge, the small seedlings overwinter, bloom in late spring, set seed in summer, and continue year after year. Because the seed source is abundant, the price is cheap, and sowing costs only a few tenths of a yuan per square meter, so it is adopted by many greening projects, parks, and tourist attractions.
Sowing methods for Orychophragmus violaceus
1. Sowing time: Orychophragmus violaceus can be sown in summer or autumn, but August to September is most suitable. Each gram contains 300 to 400 seeds. The sowing rate is about 1 kg per mu, or about 1 to 2 grams per square meter. If the spray-sowing method is used, the amount per unit area should preferably be increased by 10 to 20%.
2. Sowing method: Orychophragmus violaceus can be sown by broadcasting or drilling. For drilling, the row spacing needs to be 15 to 20 cm. For broadcasting, after sowing, the soil needs to be turned and covered with a tool. If conditions permit, special tools or machinery can be used for sowing.
3. Post-sowing management: Orychophragmus violaceus can still establish seedlings when manually broadcast on soil that has not been plowed, and it has a strong ability to resist weeds. Cultivation and management can be relatively extensive. In addition, some freshly harvested seeds have after-ripening physiological characteristics, and early sowing results in a low germination rate.
Planting methods for Orychophragmus violaceus
1. Soil: Orychophragmus violaceus is not strict about soil requirements, but it is best to choose loose, fertile, and well-drained sandy soil. For pot cultivation, the requirements for potting soil are higher. You can use 6 parts garden soil, 2 parts perlite, and 1 part plant ash, mixed evenly, and sufficient base fertilizer should be placed in the pot.
2. Light: Orychophragmus violaceus is a short-day plant with strong shade tolerance. It does not need too long of daily sunlight. With a certain amount of scattered light indoors, it can grow, bloom, and set seed normally.
3. Temperature: Orychophragmus violaceus has strong cold resistance, and temperature regulation can be extensive. In winter, if there are heavy frosts and snow, some leaves may freeze, but in early spring it can still sprout new leaves, bloom, and set seed as usual.
4. Fertilization: Orychophragmus violaceus is fertilized 4 times a year: flower bud fertilizer in early spring, vigorous-growth fertilizer after flowers fade, fruit-strengthening fertilizer after fruit set, and seedling-strengthening fertilizer before winter. Spraying a 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution once on the leaves during the bud stage and young fruit stage makes the flower colors more brilliant and the fruits fuller.
5. Pests and diseases: Common pests in Orychophragmus violaceus cultivation include aphids, cabbage caterpillars, snails, and leafminers. If pests are found, chemical control should be carried out promptly. For downy mildew, spray a 50% Yimeijing 500-fold solution.
6. Pruning: To maintain a better ornamental effect, Orychophragmus violaceus must be controlled so that it does not set seed. Generally, during the seed-setting period, use a lawn mower to trim it to a height of 10 to 15 cm.