Detailed Explanation of Key Points on Chrysanthemum Cultivation and Processing Techniques
We are all familiar with chrysanthemums, and there are many different types. This article mainly introduces the cultivation and processing techniques of chrysanthemums grown for tea. The flower heads of chrysanthemums can be used as medicine, with effects of clearing the liver and improving eyesight, dispelling wind and dissipating heat, and clearing heat and detoxifying. Bozhou chrysanthemum from Anhui, Huaiju from Henan, Qiju from Hebei, and Hangbaiju from Hangzhou are all important export Chinese medicinal materials of our country.
I. Introduction to Chrysanthemum
A warm climate and sunny environment are suitable for the growth of chrysanthemums. Chrysanthemums are cold-tolerant but afraid of waterlogging. However, during the seedling and flowering stages, their water and fertilizer needs must be met for them to grow and develop. Chrysanthemums are short-day plants and are very sensitive to day length. They can only bud and bloom when receiving no more than 10 hours of light per day.
II. Site Selection and Land Preparation
The land for planting chrysanthemums should be well-drained, fertile, loose soil rich in humus. Clay soil, low-lying land, and saline-alkali land are not suitable for planting chrysanthemums. In the autumn and winter of the previous year, plow the land to let it weather and become loose. Before transplanting in the following spring, deep plow the soil to about 25 cm, and apply base fertilizer in combination with land preparation: 2000 kg of decomposed barnyard manure per mu, plus 15-20 kg of superphosphate, then break up the soil and rake it level, and make beds according to local conditions.
III. Propagation Techniques
Chrysanthemums are usually propagated by three methods: division, cuttings, and layering.
(1) Division: In November, after harvesting the chrysanthemum flowers, cut the chrysanthemum stems off at ground level. Select robust, disease-free plants and dig out all their roots, then replant them in a fertile plot and apply a layer of farmyard manure to keep them warm through the winter. In March-April of the following year, uncover the manure and water them. In April-May, when the chrysanthemum seedlings grow to 15 cm tall, dig out the whole plant and divide it into several plants, then immediately plant them in the field. When planting, dig holes with a plant and row spacing of 40 cm, and plant 1-2 seedlings per hole. After planting, cover with soil, press firm, and water to settle the roots. Generally, one mu of old seedlings can plant about 15 mu of production field.
(2) Cutting propagation: In April-May or June-August, select thick, disease-free new shoots as cuttings. Take the middle section and cut it into 10-15 cm pieces. Cut the lower end near a node into a horseshoe-shaped slant, keep 2-3 leaves at the top, and remove all the lower leaves. Treat the cuttings with plant hormones, then insert the cuttings into the seedbed with a row spacing of 20-25 cm and a plant spacing of 6-7 cm. Press firm and water. After about 20 days, they will take root. Apply human and livestock manure water once every month. When the seedlings are 20 cm tall, they can be moved out of the nursery for transplanting.
(3) Layering propagation: Select robust, pest- and disease-free chrysanthemum plants as mother plants. When the chrysanthemums grow to a certain height, press their stems and branches down against the soil between the rows on both sides, so that they take root in the ground and send out shoots, thereby growing into new chrysanthemum plants.
IV. Cultivation Management
1. Seedling stage management: After planting, weed frequently and combine this with loosening the soil. If seedlings encounter high temperatures, build a shed for shade and increase watering frequency. Apply appropriate fertilizer in the early seedling stage; generally apply about 500 kg of thin clear manure water per mu, combined with fertilizers such as plant ash. If there are showers or rainy weather, especially during the plum rain season, pay attention to timely drainage.
2. Intertillage and weeding: After the chrysanthemum seedlings are transplanted and survive, carry out 4-5 weedings before the bud stage. Each weeding should be shallow rather than deep, and at the same time earth up the soil to prevent the chrysanthemum seedlings from lodging. After each intertillage and weeding, earth up promptly. After later fertilizing, earthing up can also be combined to maintain soil moisture and increase drought resistance.
3. Water and fertilizer management: Chrysanthemums like fertilizer. In addition to sufficient base fertilizer, 5 topdressings should be applied during the growing period. The first is after transplanting and greening, applying 10-15 kg of urea to promote seedling growth. The second is when the plants branch, applying cake fertilizer and human manure per mu. The third fertilization is at the bud stage. Fertilize after each topping.
4. Topping: Topping is one of the key measures to make the main stem of chrysanthemums thick and strong, increase branching, reduce lodging, increase flowers, and raise yield. It should be done on sunny days. The first time is when the seedlings are about 30 cm tall, remove 3-5 cm of the terminal bud of the main stem. The second time is around early to mid-July, when the plant has sent out 3-4 new branches about 30 cm long, remove the terminal buds of the branches. The third time is before the end of August, depending on plant growth; carry it out when the plant type is too tall and the number of branches is relatively small, but the last topping should not be too late, so as not to delay budding and flowering and expose the plants to early frost damage. In addition, remove excessively vigorous branches. The chrysanthemum tops removed at each topping should be gathered and taken out of the field for disposal.
V. Pest and Disease Control
Common chrysanthemum diseases include root rot, downy mildew, and brown spot. In rainy seasons, chrysanthemums are prone to whole-plant leaf withering; when pulled up, the root system is seen to be moldy and rotting, and there are root-knot nematodes, seriously affecting chrysanthemum growth. The control method is to treat chrysanthemum seedlings and planting holes with low-residue fungicides before transplanting; in addition, diseased plants should be pulled out promptly. In the rainy season, drain field water promptly. Other pests and diseases can be handled by conventional methods.
VI. Harvesting and Processing
Sulfur-free harvesting and processing of chrysanthemums is advocated, but sulfur-free drying often reduces the active content. Here are several commonly used harvesting and processing techniques.
(1) Harvesting techniques: Choose sunny days for harvesting. If there is continuous rainy weather, harvesting can also be done in the rain. After harvesting, spread the flowers on clean plastic sheeting or bamboo mats to prevent heating, and air-dry the moisture on the flowers (1 day, no more than 2 days at most), then carry out fixation or sulfur fumigation.
1. Tai chrysanthemum harvesting: Harvest white-tip flowers, when the flowers are about to open but not yet open and have just revealed white tips.
2. Duo chrysanthemum harvesting: Generally harvested from Frost's Descent to the Beginning of Winter, when the flower center has opened 2/3 and the flowers are 80-90% fully open.
(2) Processing methods: There are many ways to process chrysanthemums. In order to keep the flower shape beautiful and keep sulfur from exceeding the standard, the method of first fixation and then drying is now mostly used, while some still use traditional methods.
1. First fixation, then drying.
A. Fixation: This means killing the chrysanthemum to prevent the petals from loosening and falling off, the aroma from being lost, and the quality from declining. It is best to use boiler steam for fixation, which generally can be completed within half a minute. If the quantity is small, steaming with boiling water steam for 2-5 minutes can also achieve the fixation effect. During operation, the water must first be brought to a boil, and after steam rises in the pot, put in the chrysanthemums to steam. Be careful not to soak them in water.
B. Drying: After fixation, directly pour the flowers into drying trays or bamboo sieves and place them in a drying room to dry. On sunny days, they can also be dried in the sun after fixation. When the quantity is small, they can also be dried on a smokeless heated kang.
2. Drying room baking.
The traditional processing method for Gongju is to place them in a drying room for drying and curing, using smokeless charcoal as fuel, with the drying room temperature controlled between 40-50°C. Spread the chrysanthemums on bamboo curtains. When the flower color is dried to ivory white, take them out of the drying room, then place them in a ventilated and dry place until completely dry.
3. Sulfur fumigation.
The traditional processing of Bozhou chrysanthemum is to cut the plants together with the stems when the petals are generally white, tie them into small bundles, hang them upside down in a ventilated and dry place to dry. They must not be exposed to the sun, otherwise the aroma will be poor. When the flowers have wilted, the flowers can be picked off, placed in a fumigation room, and fumigated with sulfur to whiten them. After fumigation, spread them thinly to dry, then pack them in boxes. Traditional Qiju, on the other hand, is cut together with the stems, tied into small bundles, then sulfur-fumigated, after which the flowers are picked and dried.
The above are chrysanthemum cultivation and processing techniques. We hope they are helpful to you. To learn more agricultural knowledge, please follow Huinong Classroom!
How to Cultivate Chrysanthemums: Chrysanthemum Cultivation Techniques
Chrysanthemum is a traditional famous flower of our country. It is deeply loved by the general public for its varied flower shapes, brilliant colors, elegant and delicate fragrance, and habit of braving cold frost. So how are chrysanthemums cultivated? The editor shares chrysanthemum cultivation techniques with you.
Chrysanthemum is a plant of the Asteraceae family, and its flower heads are used as medicine. It is a major commonly used Chinese medicinal material, with effects of dispelling wind and dissipating heat and clearing the liver and improving eyesight. It mainly treats externally contracted wind-heat, dizziness, and headache. Regular drinking of chrysanthemum tea has the effects of preventing heatstroke, eliminating irritability, and improving mood and eyesight. Chrysanthemums are cultivated throughout the country. Among the famous ones, Bozhou chrysanthemum from Anhui, Hangbaiju from Zhejiang, Huaiju from Henan, and Qiju from Hebei are important export Chinese medicinal materials of our country, sold far to Hong Kong, China, Macao, China, and Taiwan, China. Chrysanthemums like a warm climate and a sunny environment. They can tolerate cold but are afraid of waterlogging. However, they cannot lack water during the seedling and flowering stages. Chrysanthemums are short-day plants and are very sensitive to day length. They can only bud and bloom when receiving no more than 10 hours of light per day.
Planting and Cultivation Techniques
1. Site selection and land preparation: Chrysanthemums have low requirements for soil, but it is best to choose well-drained, fertile, loose soil rich in humus for growth. Clay soil and low-lying land are not suitable for planting, saline-alkali land is not suitable for planting, and continuous cropping should be avoided.
2. Propagation methods: There are division propagation and cutting propagation.
① Division propagation: In November, after harvesting the chrysanthemum flowers, cut the chrysanthemum stems off at ground level. Select robust, disease-free plants, dig out all their roots, and replant them in a fertile plot. Apply a layer of farmyard manure to keep them warm through the winter. In March-April of the following year, uncover the manure and water them. In April-May, when the chrysanthemum seedlings grow to 15 cm tall, dig out the whole plant, divide it into several plants, and immediately plant them in the field. When planting, use a plant and row spacing of 40 cm, dig holes, and plant 1-2 seedlings per hole. After planting, cover, press firm, and water to settle the roots. Generally, one mu of old seedlings can plant about 15 mu of production field.
② Cutting propagation: In April-May or June-August, select thick, disease-free new shoots as cuttings. Take the middle section, cut it into 10-15 cm pieces, treat the cuttings with plant hormones, then insert the cuttings into the seedbed with a row spacing of 20-25 cm and a plant spacing of 6-7 cm. Press firm and water. After about 20 days, they will take root. Apply human and livestock manure water once every month. When the seedlings are 20 cm tall, they can be moved out of the nursery for transplanting.
③ Transplanting: Division seedlings are transplanted in April-May, and cutting seedlings in May-June. Choose cloudy days, after rain, or the evening of sunny days. On the prepared bed surface, dig holes at a row and plant spacing of 40 cm each, with a hole depth of 6 cm. Then dig up the seedlings with soil. Plant 1 plant per hole for cutting seedlings, and 1-2 plants per hole for division seedlings. After planting, cover with soil, press firm, and water to settle the roots.
Field Management After Planting
1. Intertillage and weeding: After the chrysanthemum seedlings are transplanted and survive, carry out 4-5 weedings before the bud stage. Each weeding should be shallow rather than deep, and at the same time earth up the soil to prevent the chrysanthemum seedlings from lodging.
2. Topdressing: Chrysanthemums like fertilizer. In addition to sufficient base fertilizer, 5 topdressings should be applied during the growing period. The first is after transplanting and greening, applying 10-15 kg of urea to promote seedling growth. The second is when the plants branch, applying cake fertilizer and human manure per mu. The third fertilization is at the bud stage.
3. Bud thinning: After chrysanthemums branch, around Grain Full, when the seedlings are 25 cm tall, carry out the first pinching. On a sunny day, remove 1-2 cm of the terminal bud. After that, pinch once every half month, and stop after Great Heat. Otherwise, there will be too many branches, insufficient nutrition, and the flower heads will become small and fine, which instead affects the yield and quality of chrysanthemums.
4. Pest and disease control: Common chrysanthemum diseases include root rot, downy mildew, and brown spot. In rainy seasons, chrysanthemums are prone to whole-plant leaf withering; when pulled up, the root system is moldy and rotting, and there are root-knot nematodes, seriously affecting chrysanthemum growth. The control method is to treat chrysanthemum seedlings and planting holes with carbofuran before transplanting, which can avoid rot; in addition, diseased plants should be pulled out promptly. In the rainy season, drain field water promptly. Other pests and diseases can be handled by conventional methods.
Harvesting and Processing
Generally harvested from Frost's Descent to the Beginning of Winter. The suitable harvest time is when the flower center has opened 2/3. Choose sunny days to harvest chrysanthemums, and process promptly after harvesting to prevent rot and discoloration. Each production area has traditional processing methods. The processing method for Bozhou chrysanthemum is as follows: when the flowers are in full bloom and the petals are generally white, cut the plants together with the stems, tie them into small bundles, hang them upside down in a ventilated and dry place to dry. They must not be exposed to the sun, otherwise the aroma will be poor. When dried to 80%, the flowers can be picked off, placed in a fumigation room, and fumigated with sulfur to whiten them. After fumigation, spread them thinly and dry for 1 day until dry. Then pack them in boxes. The processing method for Gongju is: place them in a drying room for drying and curing, using smokeless charcoal as fuel, with the drying room temperature controlled between 40-50°C. Spread the chrysanthemums on bamboo curtains. When the flower color is dried to ivory white, take them out of the drying room, then place them in a ventilated and dry place until completely dry. The yield of chrysanthemums per mu is generally about 100 kg. The best quality is large flowers, white or bright yellow, thick petals or many tightly packed petals, and a fresh fragrance.
The above is the relevant knowledge on chrysanthemum cultivation techniques shared by the editor. We hope it is helpful for your chrysanthemum planting!
Chrysanthemum Cultivation Techniques
Overview
Chrysanthemum is a plant of the Asteraceae family, and its flower heads are used as medicine. It is a major commonly used Chinese medicinal material, with effects of dispelling wind and dissipating heat and clearing the liver and improving eyesight. It mainly treats externally contracted wind-heat, dizziness, and headache. Regular drinking of chrysanthemum tea has the effects of preventing heatstroke, eliminating irritability, and improving mood and eyesight. Chrysanthemums are cultivated throughout the country. Among the famous ones, Bozhou chrysanthemum from Anhui, Hangbaiju from Zhejiang, Huaiju from Henan, and Qiju from Hebei are important export Chinese medicinal materials of our country, sold far to Hong Kong, China, Macao, China, and Taiwan, China. Chrysanthemums like a warm climate and a sunny environment. They can tolerate cold but are afraid of waterlogging. However, they cannot lack water during the seedling and flowering stages. Chrysanthemums are short-day plants and are very sensitive to day length. They can only bud and bloom when receiving no more than 10 hours of light per day.
Cultivation Techniques
1. Site selection and land preparation: Chrysanthemums have low requirements for soil, but it is best to choose well-drained, fertile, loose soil rich in humus for growth. Clay soil and low-lying land are not suitable for planting, saline-alkali land is not suitable for planting, and continuous cropping should be avoided.
2. Propagation methods: There are division propagation and cutting propagation.
Division: In November, after harvesting the chrysanthemum flowers, cut the chrysanthemum stems off at ground level. Select robust, disease-free plants, dig out all their roots, and replant them in a fertile plot. Apply a layer of farmyard manure to keep them warm through the winter. In March-April of the following year, uncover the manure and water them. In April-May, when the chrysanthemum seedlings grow to 15 cm tall, dig out the whole plant, divide it into several plants, and immediately plant them in the field. When planting, use a plant and row spacing of 40 cm, dig holes, and plant 1-2 seedlings per hole. After planting, cover, press firm, and water to settle the roots. Generally, one mu of old seedlings can plant about 15 mu of production field.
Cutting propagation: In April-May or June-August, select thick, disease-free new shoots as cuttings. Take the middle section, cut it into 10-15 cm pieces, treat the cuttings with plant hormones, then insert the cuttings into the seedbed with a row spacing of 20-25 cm and a plant spacing of 6-7 cm. Press firm and water. After about 20 days, they will take root. Apply human and livestock manure water once every month. When the seedlings are 20 cm tall, they can be moved out of the nursery for transplanting. 3. Transplanting: Division seedlings are transplanted in April-May, and cutting seedlings in May-June. Choose cloudy days, after rain, or the evening of sunny days. On the prepared bed surface, dig holes at a row and plant spacing of 40 cm each, with a hole depth of 6 cm. Then dig up the seedlings with soil. Plant 1 plant per hole for cutting seedlings, and 1-2 plants per hole for division seedlings. After planting, cover with soil, press firm, and water to settle the roots.
4. Field management
Intertillage and weeding: After the chrysanthemum seedlings are transplanted and survive, carry out 4-5 weedings before the bud stage. Each weeding should be shallow rather than deep, and at the same time earth up the soil to prevent the chrysanthemum seedlings from lodging.
Topdressing: Chrysanthemums like fertilizer. In addition to sufficient base fertilizer, 5 topdressings should be applied during the growing period. The first is after transplanting and greening, applying 10-15 kg of urea to promote seedling growth. The second is when the plants branch, applying cake fertilizer and human manure per mu. The third fertilization is at the bud stage.
Bud thinning: After chrysanthemums branch, around Grain Full, when the seedlings are 25 cm tall, carry out the first pinching. On a sunny day, remove 1-2 cm of the terminal bud. After that, pinch once every half month, and stop after Great Heat. Otherwise, there will be too many branches, insufficient nutrition, and the flower heads will become small and fine, which instead affects the yield and quality of chrysanthemums.
Pest and disease control: Common chrysanthemum diseases include root rot, downy mildew, and brown spot. In rainy seasons, chrysanthemums are prone to whole-plant leaf withering; when pulled up, the root system is moldy and rotting, and there are root-knot nematodes, seriously affecting chrysanthemum growth. The control method is to treat chrysanthemum seedlings and planting holes with carbofuran before transplanting, which can avoid rot; in addition, diseased plants should be pulled out promptly. In the rainy season, drain field water promptly. Other pests and diseases can be handled by conventional methods.
Harvesting and processing: Generally harvested from Frost's Descent to the Beginning of Winter. The suitable harvest time is when the flower center has opened 2/3. Choose sunny days to harvest chrysanthemums, and process promptly after harvesting to prevent rot and discoloration. Each production area has traditional processing methods. The processing method for Bozhou chrysanthemum is as follows: when the flowers are in full bloom and the petals are generally white, cut the plants together with the stems, tie them into small bundles, hang them upside down in a ventilated and dry place to dry. They must not be exposed to the sun, otherwise the aroma will be poor. When dried to 80%, the flowers can be picked off, placed in a fumigation room, and fumigated with sulfur to whiten them. After fumigation, spread them thinly and dry for 1 day until dry. Then pack them in boxes. The processing method for Gongju is: place them in a drying room for drying and curing, using smokeless charcoal as fuel, with the drying room temperature controlled between 40-50°C. Spread the chrysanthemums on bamboo curtains. When the flower color is dried to ivory white, take them out of the drying room, then place them in a ventilated and dry place until completely dry. The yield of chrysanthemums per mu is generally about 100 kg. The best quality is large flowers, white or bright yellow, thick petals or many tightly packed petals, and a fresh fragrance.
Responsible Editor: hjj