How to Grow Senna Well? Detailed Planting Methods and Techniques
Senna plays a very important role in our daily lives. It is one of the main ingredients in laxatives and can be used to moisten the intestines and relieve constipation. A tea called senna tea has also appeared on the market; it is a health tea that can be used for weight loss and slimming, but the proportion of senna must be strictly controlled, otherwise it will cause gastrointestinal discomfort. So how do you grow senna? Let's take a look together below.
1. Site Selection and Land Preparation
Senna is relatively suited to growing in dry environments, so the planting site is generally on higher ground, with relatively good drainage, strong soil permeability, sufficient soil fertility, and loose sandy soil. About one month before planting, we should turn over the soil to give it enough time to be sun-dried and for the soil to be broken up fine. There must be no waterlogged spots in the field. At the same time, dig trenches in the field at intervals of about 1.5 m for drainage, and finally spread the base fertilizer well and wait for sowing.
2. Scientific Sowing
The most commonly used planting method for senna is direct seeding. It is relatively suited to sowing in hot, dry seasons, and it can be grown in many places. Before sowing, the land needs to be watered first, then the seeds are sown at a row spacing of 70 cm and a plant spacing of 60 cm, then covered with soil, and finally a layer of grass is laid on top, which can keep the land moist. Another planting method is raising seedlings and transplanting. The seedling raising is similar to seed sowing. When the seedlings grow to about 10 to 15 cm, transplant them at a reasonable density.
3. Field Management
Senna does not need too much water during its growth process, but it still needs watering, so we must strictly control watering. Water once in the early stage of senna growth, and then water during its vigorous growth period. In weather with more rainfall, drain the water from the field in time, otherwise it will affect its growth. During its growth process, fertilization is generally needed multiple times, mainly nitrogen fertilizer, to promote the growth of senna branches and leaves, and then an appropriate amount of phosphorus fertilizer can be applied. When senna grows to a certain length, remove the flower buds and terminal buds in time, which can promote the growth of senna. The last thing to note is to carry out intertillage and weeding irregularly to maintain soil permeability.
4. Pest and Disease Control
Because the planting time of senna is relatively special, the probability of damping-off disease occurring during this period is very high, so we must make preventive preparations in time, strengthen field management, and then use Bordeaux mixture for prevention. After the disease occurs, wettable zineb can be used for treatment. At the same time, during this period, Pieris butterfly larvae will also appear, and we can combine trichlorfon for control.