What are the precautions for growing Prunella vulgaris?

Prunella vulgaris is very common in many rural areas. It is often used by steeping it in water and has high medicinal value. It is also one of the easiest medicinal herbs to grow. Since it has few requirements for the growing environment, Prunella vulgaris can be seen in many places. However, in recent years, the demand for Prunella vulgaris has increased, and combined with environmental damage, artificial cultivation of Prunella vulgaris has gradually begun. So what should be noted when growing Prunella vulgaris? Let's take a look together.

1. Soil

Wild Prunella vulgaris has no requirements for the growing environment, but when cultivating it artificially, we mainly aim to grow high-yield and high-quality medicinal herbs to obtain higher economic benefits, so when planting we need to choose a good planting site. Generally, it is best to choose loam or humus soil with sufficient light, fertile soil, and good drainage and water retention. Heavy clay soil should not be used for planting.

2. Time

For the planting time of Prunella vulgaris, we need to choose the best planting time according to the maturity time of Prunella vulgaris seeds and its growth habits. Usually, we choose to plant in August and September of each autumn. Prunella vulgaris planted at this time sprouts quickly and grows quickly, and it is also relatively convenient to manage, with relatively fewer pests and diseases. Secondly, if the autumn planting time is missed, it can also be sown in spring, but the yield is not as high as that of autumn planting.

3. Density

There are mainly two sowing methods for Prunella vulgaris, namely drilling and broadcasting. For drilling, we need to first open furrows in the prepared land at a spacing of about 15 to 25 cm per row, then evenly sprinkle the seeds into the furrows and cover them with soil. For broadcasting, you can sow directly. After the seedlings emerge, what needs attention is thinning and filling in seedlings. Usually, thinning is carried out at about 20 cm per row and about 15 cm per plant. Reasonable density is a basic condition for high yield. Secondly, we also need to determine the specific density according to the fertility of the soil and the variety of Prunella vulgaris.

4. Fertilizer and water

Fertilizer and water management is a very important point in field management, and it is also the key to high yield of Prunella vulgaris. We need to topdress according to the growth of Prunella vulgaris. After planting, we need to topdress, and manure and urine water can be used for irrigation, which can promote the growth of Prunella vulgaris. Secondly, when the seedlings grow to about 15 cm, apply an appropriate amount of phosphorus fertilizer and calcium fertilizer, and this should be combined with watering. Finally, what should be noted is that while maintaining field humidity, timely drainage should also be carried out.

5. Pests and diseases

Prunella vulgaris has extremely strong resistance, and it is rarely affected by pests and diseases throughout its growth process. If there are any, they are generally damping-off disease and aphids and other diseases and insect pests that harm the branches and leaves of Prunella vulgaris. For damping-off disease, we can usually use Bordeaux mixture for control, and for aphids, we can also use yellow sticky traps to trap and kill them or spray with trichlorfon solution. However, what should be noted is that pesticide control should not be carried out about half a month to one month before harvest, as this will seriously affect the quality of Prunella vulgaris.