How to grow madder? Master these key technical points
Madder, also known as Xuejianchou, Dixue, and Fengchecao, is a Chinese herbal medicinal plant that can be taken both internally and externally. It mainly has the effects of cooling blood, stopping bleeding, and resolving blood stasis, and is mainly used to make hemostatic medicines. It is mainly distributed in Northeast China, North China, Sichuan, and Tibet. Currently, what is available on the market is mainly wild resources. Below, the editor brings you its cultivation techniques. Let's take a look.
1. Land preparation and fertilization
Madder prefers a cool and humid environment, has strong cold tolerance, and fears waterlogging. It requires loose, fertile sandy loam rich in organic matter. Areas with overly poor soil or low-lying land prone to water accumulation are not suitable for planting. Before planting, first clear away weeds and residual plant debris, then, in combination with deep plowing, apply 3000 kg of farmyard manure and 50-80 kg of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer per mu, and then make beds to facilitate drainage.
2. Propagation
The previous crop can be propagated by seeds and cuttings. Among these, sowing can be divided into spring sowing and autumn sowing. Spring sowing is around Qingming Festival, and autumn sowing is before the soil freezes. When sowing, open shallow furrows on the bed surface, then scatter the seeds into the furrows, then cover with soil, water, and preserve soil moisture. The furrow spacing is 30 cm, and 3 kg of seeds are sown per mu. For cuttings, select healthy, well-developed stems and vines free of pests and diseases, cut them into cuttings with 2-3 nodes each, insert them into the soil at a plant and row spacing of 10×5 cm, then water, preserve soil moisture, and provide shade.
3. Field management
Whether by sowing or cuttings, the plants must be cultivated for one year before transplanting. When transplanting, set the seedlings on the bed surface at a plant and row spacing of 50×30 cm, water, and preserve soil moisture to promote survival. After madder seedlings emerge uniformly, pay attention to intertillage and weeding to prevent weeds from competing for nutrients. Intertillage and loosening the soil can allow the root system to grow smoothly. Also pay attention to moisture. Water promptly during drought, and in rainy weather pay attention to drainage and waterlogging prevention to avoid root rot. But when the seedlings grow to 30 cm, set up a frame and supports so they can climb.
4. Pest and disease control
The main diseases in madder cultivation include root rot, brown spot, and powdery mildew, and the main pest is aphids. Root rot mainly occurs during high temperatures in summer. It causes the planted branches and leaves to shrink, the leaves to yellow and fall off, and the root system to rot and die. When the disease occurs, lime water or Tuzet can be sprayed for control. Brown spot mainly occurs in July, mainly damaging leaves, and may occur together with root rot. When the disease occurs, Bordeaux mixture or zineb can be sprayed for control. Powdery mildew can be controlled by spraying lime sulfur mixture. Aphids can be controlled by spraying dichlorvos or insecticides.
The above are madder cultivation techniques. I hope they can help you. If you want to learn more about medicinal herb cultivation knowledge, please follow us.