Detailed Explanation of the Planting Methods and Key Technical Points for Gnaphalium affine

Gnaphalium affine is a very popular wild vegetable in recent years. In some places it is also called shuqucao, and in others yanzihua. Eating foods made with Gnaphalium affine regularly is very good for the human body, with certain therapeutic effects on rheumatism, bronchitis and stomach ailments, and it also helps soften blood vessels. So now many places are also cultivating it on a large scale. Today let us take a look at how it is grown.

1. Site selection and land preparation

Gnaphalium affine was originally a wild plant, so when choosing a planting site we first need to understand its growth habits, see where it generally grows, and then make a specific choice. Usually we choose relatively moist and relatively fertile land for planting, and the water source at the planting site should be fairly plentiful so that irrigation is convenient. The land does not actually require much effort to prepare: clear the weeds and debris from the field and turn the soil over, then dig a series of small furrows in the field at intervals of about one meter to one and a half meters.

2. Sowing at the right time

The seeds of Gnaphalium affine are rather fragile, and under high temperatures the seeds are very hard to germinate, so it must be planted at a suitable time. We also need to make a specific analysis based on the climate differences between northern and southern China; usually it is best to sow in February or March of spring. There are two sowing methods, broadcasting and drilling. Broadcasting is simpler than drilling, but later field operations are a bit more troublesome, so drilling is recommended.

3. Field management

Gnaphalium affine grows rather slowly, but because it has strong resistance itself, field management is also relatively simple. It is enough to pull out the weeds in the field after the Gnaphalium affine seedlings emerge, keep the soil moist, and apply fertilizer according to how the Gnaphalium affine is actually growing. It also has no pests or diseases, so no pest and disease control is needed. At the same time, chemical agents must never be used for weeding, because Gnaphalium affine is itself a kind of grass, and this would directly cause the Gnaphalium affine to die.

4. Harvesting at the right time

Gnaphalium affine does not grow uniformly; some plants grow faster, so it needs to be harvested in batches. However, the first harvest is slightly different from later harvests. At the first harvest, wait until the Gnaphalium affine has grown to about twenty centimeters and then pull it up by the roots. For each harvest after that, we mainly harvest the tender shoots of the Gnaphalium affine, so that after harvesting it will grow new branches and leaves again and can continue to be harvested, which is very convenient. At the same time, note that it must not be harvested too late; once it is too old it is no longer of any use.