What should be noted during the process of planting dwarf lilyturf (Ophiopogon japonicus)?

Dwarf lilyturf has relatively high use value; it is not only an ornamental plant, but also has extremely high medicinal value. In recent years, the market demand for dwarf lilyturf has grown larger and larger, but the scale of dwarf lilyturf cultivation has not changed much, so the market has gradually seen a shortage of supply. The market price of dwarf lilyturf has also risen somewhat, and naturally some people have seen the business opportunity and started cultivating it. So today let us take a look together at what we need to pay attention to when planting dwarf lilyturf.

1. Varieties

After many years of cultivation, many varieties of dwarf lilyturf have appeared, but only two varieties are still grown the most, namely upright-type dwarf lilyturf and creeping-type dwarf lilyturf. The difference between them is that upright-type dwarf lilyturf produces larger fruit of good quality, but its yield is relatively low, while creeping-type dwarf lilyturf has high yield, but the fruit is not very large. So when planting, we can plant the two varieties together, because the management and planting methods are the same, and in this way the economic benefits can also be guaranteed.

2. Soil

The previous crop land for dwarf lilyturf cultivation cannot be land previously used for melons, fruits and the like, because such soil has more pests and diseases, and at the same time the soil fertility is not sufficient to maintain the normal growth of dwarf lilyturf. Secondly, the dwarf lilyturf planting site cannot be chosen in a place where water accumulates, and continuous cropping cannot be carried out either. The soil pH of the planting site should be moderate, or slightly alkaline; it cannot be planted in acidic soil. Therefore, when choosing the site, a pH test should be done, and when preparing the land it should be leveled properly, with a drainage system prepared in advance to facilitate later irrigation and drainage.

3. Temperature

Dwarf lilyturf is generally planted around April and May each year. At this time the temperature has basically already risen, with the average temperature basically reaching around 18 to 20 degrees, and it is best to choose a cloudy day for planting, so that the survival rate of planting can be basically guaranteed. Dwarf lilyturf is a plant that likes warmth and moisture, but it cannot survive in an environment with very strong light and too high a temperature, so in summer we need to do shading and cooling treatment. At the same time, its cold resistance is good, and it can germinate and grow normally at low temperatures.

4. Method

The planting method for dwarf lilyturf generally adopts division and transplanting. Many people have not grown it before and buy seeds, so they need to purchase seedlings from outside. Then they must pay attention to choosing vigorous, pest- and disease-free, relatively robust seedlings for planting. Before planting, we need to cut off the tubers and fibrous roots on the seedlings, and then plant them at a spacing of 30 cm per row and 20 cm per plant.

5. Water and fertilizer

After planting, water the dwarf lilyturf seedlings in time, as this can promote the growth of their root system and thereby increase their survival rate. Secondly, dwarf lilyturf is a moisture-loving plant, so the soil humidity in the field is best kept above 70 percent. In winter, try not to irrigate, but loosen the soil appropriately, as this is beneficial for water absorption and storage. Fertilization management for dwarf lilyturf needs to be carried out scientifically according to its growth and development stages. In addition to base fertilizer, generally two fertilizations are needed each year. The first fertilization is when the dwarf lilyturf seedlings grow new roots, mainly applying urea, phosphate fertilizer and potassium fertilizer by hole application or furrow application. The second is when the tubers of dwarf lilyturf swell, applying an appropriate amount of calcium fertilizer on the basis of the first fertilization for irrigation.

6. Pests and diseases

The main diseases of dwarf lilyturf are root rot and leaf spot, and the most common pest is nematodes. Root rot and leaf spot mostly occur in the hot and rainy summer season. Usually we can prevent them by soaking seeds with chemicals, fertilizing scientifically to improve soil structure, and strengthening field water management, and when the disease occurs, use Bordeaux mixture for control, which needs to be sprayed at least two to three times to cure it.