Detailed Explanation of Saffron Cultivation Techniques and Management Methods
Saffron is an extremely precious traditional Chinese medicinal herb with powerful activity and strong efficacy. It is widely used in the beauty, cosmetics and spice industries. Many people now like to use it for health preservation, and its price is high. Because of its powerful efficacy and high price, many people are attracted to growing it, so how should saffron be cultivated? Let's take a look at the detailed introduction.
1. Land preparation and fertilization
At present, saffron cultivation in China mostly adopts the method of field propagation and indoor flower harvesting, and this method can be used to cultivate it in all parts of China. Before planting, choose fertile, loose soil with good drainage and slight alkalinity. It is best to plant on gentle slopes or hillside land. One month before planting, apply 3000-4000 kg of farmyard manure per mu and 200-300 portions of other fertilizers, then deeply plow them into the soil, rake evenly and level the beds.
2. Sowing
Saffron is propagated by corms. Sowing is generally carried out in August-September. Before sowing, the lateral buds of the corms should be removed. Generally, according to the size and weight of the corms, 1-3 terminal buds are retained and the rest are removed. After bud removal, place the corms in a cool area to dry for 2-3 days so the wounds heal. For sowing, the drill method is mostly used. Open furrows 5-8 cm deep on the bed surface, with row spacing controlled at 15-20 cm. Water once thoroughly so the water fully penetrates the soil, then place the corms flat in the furrows at 10 cm intervals, paying attention to keeping the terminal buds facing upward, and then cover with soil. Generally, 20000 corms are used per mu, amounting to 400-500 kg.
3. Field management
After sowing, if the temperature is lower than 5 degrees, it is unfavorable for corm germination, so at this time film should be applied promptly. This can prevent freezing cold, increase soil temperature, and also reduce weed growth. When the seedlings break through the soil, the film should be broken promptly to release the seedlings, so that the seedlings are exposed outside the plastic film and grow quickly. If the film is not broken in time, it may affect corm growth. When the temperature rises after the beginning of spring the following year, the ground should be uncovered promptly. After the ground is uncovered, timely cultivating and weeding should be carried out. Be careful not to cultivate too deeply, so as not to damage the plant roots. This is the rapid growth period of daughter corms. While cultivating and weeding, topdressing should be carried out promptly to ensure what is needed for corm enlargement. Generally, 3000-4000 kg of organic fertilizer is added per mu, and fertilization can be carried out together with several applications. In addition, according to plant growth, foliar fertilizer can be sprayed 2-3 times to promote corm growth. After entering April, saffron enters the late growth stage. At this time, the field should be checked frequently. If lateral buds are found growing, they should be removed promptly to avoid affecting corm growth.
4. Pest and disease control ⟧11⟧In spring, from February to April, the temperature begins to rise. This is the peak growth season for saffron, but it is also a period of high incidence of pests and diseases. At this time, pest and disease control work should be done well to avoid affecting yield and quality. Saffron is highly prone to rot disease and wilt disease. In severe cases, these diseases can cause large-scale plant death and are extremely harmful. The control method is to disinfect the plants. Therefore, generally after uncovering the film, carbendazim should be used promptly to spray the plant roots for control.
In spring, from February to April, the temperature begins to rise again. This is the peak growing season for saffron crocus (Crocus sativus), but it is also a period when pests and diseases occur frequently. At this time, pest and disease control work must be done well to avoid affecting yield and quality. Saffron crocus is highly prone to rot disease and wilt disease; in severe cases, these diseases can cause large-scale plant death and are extremely harmful. The control method is to disinfect the plants, so generally after the film is removed, carbendazim should be sprayed promptly on the plant roots for prevention and control.
5. Harvesting
May is the harvesting period for saffron. After saffron blooms, the red styles and stigmas of the pistils should be picked promptly. When mid-to-late May arrives, the aboveground stems and leaves of saffron begin to wither and turn yellow, and at this time the corms can be harvested. During harvesting, dig out the corms together, remove the branches, leaves and residual roots, place them in the field to dry slightly for 2-3 days, and then store them indoors in a ventilated, cool place until planting after August.
The above are saffron cultivation techniques. We hope this can help you. To learn more about saffron cultivation knowledge, please stay tuned to us.