How to Grow Coptis chinensis Well? A Detailed Explanation of Key Planting Techniques
We are all certainly familiar with the word Coptis chinensis. Even if we do not know what Coptis chinensis looks like, the word itself is deeply engraved in our memory. There is not much wild Coptis chinensis left now, but the annual demand for Coptis chinensis is still very high, so many people have taken up artificial cultivation. However, problems are always encountered during cultivation, so today Qinnong Net brings you the cultivation methods for Coptis chinensis. Let us take a look together at how to grow Coptis chinensis well.
1. Site Selection and Land Preparation
For planting Coptis chinensis, it is best to choose semi-sunny mountainous land with slanting sunlight, because it has relatively strict requirements for light. In its early growth stage, its demand for light is not great, so it is quite shade-loving, but as it gradually grows, its demand for light increases, so semi-sunny mountainous land best meets this condition. Next, the soil is best on plots that are relatively loose, with good permeability, good drainage and sufficient nutrients. When preparing the land, it should be deep-ploughed at least about 15 cm, then beds should be made, with a bed width of about 1.5 m, then furrows should be opened, and finally the bed surface should be leveled and it is ready for planting.
2. Sowing and Raising Seedlings
Because the growth cycle of Coptis chinensis is relatively long, if it is directly sown in the field, the resulting Coptis chinensis will grow unevenly and be difficult to manage, so we first raise seedlings and then transplant. There are three sowing periods: the first is the period at the end of September, the second is the beginning of December, and the last is the period in February, all of which can be used for sowing. We evenly scatter the seeds on the seedbed, then cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil, then wet the soil and cover it with a layer of manure residue or rice straw. Of course, a layer of plastic film can also be placed on top, which will make sprouting faster.
3. Reasonable Transplanting
When the Coptis chinensis seedlings grow to about 10 cm, we can transplant them. The emergence time of Coptis chinensis is generally around March, so it is best for us to transplant around May, as the survival rate of transplanting in this period will be much higher. We transplant at a spacing of 10 to 15 cm between rows and about 10 cm between plants. This density makes later management more convenient and is also more conducive to the growth of Coptis chinensis.
4. Fertilizer and Water Management
Fertilizer and water management is very important in the growth process of Coptis chinensis. If high yield is desired, then fertilizer and water must be applied well. After transplanting, we need to water immediately, which can help the transplanted Coptis chinensis better adapt to the new environment and improve the survival rate. Next, about three days after transplanting, the first topdressing is needed, mainly by watering with a mixture of cake fertilizer and manure urine water. During the flowering period, flower fertilizer needs to be applied once, mainly by watering with phosphate fertilizer. Finally, when the tubers expand, potassium fertilizer should be applied once. Each fertilization is best combined with watering and weeding.
5. Scientific Management
The first step in management is to establish shade objects in the field, which is most important in the early growth stage of Coptis chinensis. If there are no shade objects, it is very easy to cause sunscald. Next, the light in the later period should be relatively sufficient, so it is best to set up shade objects that can diffuse light, which will be more convenient. The next step is pruning of branches and leaves. In order to enhance the ventilation of the field, we need to add this step of pruning in the second year. Then there is field weeding. We generally adopt the method of intertillage weeding, which can enhance the permeability of the soil.