Rush Planting Methods and Cultivation Technique Key Points

Rush is mainly used to clear heat and promote urination, as well as to treat conditions such as lymphatic issues, bleeding, nephritis, and edema. At the same time, it has certain therapeutic effects on diabetes, mastitis, cystitis, insomnia, and night crying in children. It grows in relatively warm areas, mainly along riversides, streams, ditches, swamps, and other relatively moist zones. Today we will mainly learn about the planting methods for rush.

1. Site Selection and Land Preparation

Rush is a moisture-loving plant, but the humidity of the planting site should not be too high, otherwise it will affect the normal growth of rush. Therefore, we should choose a plot with sufficient water supply but a complete drainage system for planting. Before planting, we need to plow the field, level the land, then evenly spread sufficient organic compost as base fertilizer, and finally deepen the water level in the field to about 10 cm, then wait for planting.

2. Propagation Methods

There are two main propagation methods for rush, namely seed propagation and clump division propagation. Seed propagation is usually carried out by direct seeding, sowing at a distance of 30 cm per row in the field, while clump division propagation uses old clumps of rush for division, then planting the rush in the same way as rice transplanting. Each plant should have at least 8 to 10 old clumps, so that the yield of planted rush will be higher.

3. Reasonable Close Planting

In order to improve the yield and quality of rush, we should carry out reasonable close planting of the rush grown in the field. For the clump division propagation method, we usually plant at a distance of 40 cm per row and 30 cm per plant at the time of planting. For the seed propagation method, since only the row spacing is considered at sowing, after the rush seedlings emerge we should thin and fill in seedlings at a certain distance to ensure uniform seedlings in the field and a reasonable density of rush.

4. Field Management

If using seed propagation, when the rush grows to about 10 cm we need to weed, and do so together with fertilization, which can promote the growth of rush and also allow the fertilizer to achieve its maximum effect. If using clump division propagation, we need to wait until the rush sends out new branches and leaves before weeding and fertilizing. Each year, rush basically only needs weeding and fertilization twice, and reasonable fertilization should also be carried out according to the specific growth conditions of the rush.

5. Scientific Harvesting

Rush is generally harvested every autumn. The harvesting standard is when the tips of the rush stems gradually turn withered and yellow. Next, during harvesting, the rush is usually cut from a position close to the water surface. Finally, the cut rush needs to be dried in the sun, then the pith and skin of the rush are separated, and tied into small bundles for sale.