Where does Anoectochilus roxburghii grow? Distribution and environment explained in detail

Anoectochilus roxburghii is an extremely rare wild mountain delicacy of the highest grade, also known as golden silk thread, golden earrings, bird ginseng, etc. It is a perennial herb of the genus Anoectochilus in the orchid family. The whole plant is used as medicine and has effects such as clearing heat and cooling blood, dispelling wind and dampness, and detoxifying and relieving pain. In folk legends it is said to cure all diseases and has long been known by the laudatory title of “king of medicine”. Let us take a look below at where Anoectochilus roxburghii grows!

Where does Anoectochilus roxburghii grow?

Anoectochilus roxburghii is distributed in China's Fujian, Taiwan, China, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Hubei and other places. It prefers cool, shady and humid conditions, and especially likes to grow in ditch banks, stone walls and loose, moist soil areas with evergreen broad-leaved trees. Its requirements for environmental conditions are very strict, and it can only grow in remote deep mountains and old forests in a primitive ecological state. It needs a special natural cyclical climate and a clever combination of sunlight, rain and dew in order to grow.

What conditions are needed to grow Anoectochilus roxburghii?

1. Temperature: Anoectochilus roxburghii has relatively strong adaptability to temperature. The suitable temperature for growth is 20-32°C. Under greenhouse coverage, a low temperature of 0-5°C for 30 consecutive days still causes no obvious harm to Anoectochilus roxburghii, while a daily temperature above 34°C for 15 days easily causes leaf curling damage and quality loss.

2. Water: Anoectochilus roxburghii is naturally distributed in forest environments with high humidity and near some streams. Moisture is the most important factor affecting the survival of Anoectochilus roxburghii, but it can survive in environments with dry climate and water-deficient soil. Under artificial cultivation, the relative humidity should be above 70%.

3. Light: Anoectochilus roxburghii is a shade-loving plant, and the light saturation point of its photosynthesis is low. The suitable light intensity is about 3000 lux. Under natural conditions, the canopy density of the upper tree layer is 7%-80%, and the coverage of the lower vegetation is about 40%.

4. Soil: Anoectochilus roxburghii is suitable for rooting in slightly acidic soil. The soil must be loose, breathable and moist. Under natural conditions, it is distributed in humus soil, yellow soil and red soil types. For small-scale planting, peat soil and perlite are recommended.

Can growing Anoectochilus roxburghii make money?

1. Under-forest planting: Under-forest planting of Anoectochilus roxburghii makes use of the environmental conditions under natural forest, and according to the growth requirements of Anoectochilus roxburghii, sites with relatively convenient transportation, dense trees and fertile soil in mountain forests and gentle slopes are selected for planting.

① Investment cost: About 50,000-60,000 plants of Anoectochilus roxburghii can be planted per mu. The cost per seedling is 0.3-0.5 yuan, so the total cost of seedlings is about 30,000 yuan. Inputs such as labor, shade nets, fences and irrigation equipment are about 15,000 yuan.

② Planting profit: At 3-4 grams per plant, the total is about 200 kg. At 300 yuan per kg, the income is about 60,000 yuan. The planting cost input is about 45,000 yuan, the income is 60,000 yuan, and the profit per mu is about 15,000 yuan.

2. Simple greenhouse: Simple greenhouse planting of Anoectochilus roxburghii is based on its suitable growth environment. A production base is established in a place with no industrial pollution, a natural clean water source, convenient sprinkler irrigation and on the shady side near a mountain.

① Investment cost: About 150,000-200,000 seedlings of Anoectochilus roxburghii can be planted per mu. The cost per seedling is 0.3-0.5 yuan, so the total cost of seedlings is about 70,000-90,000 yuan. Inputs such as labor, greenhouses and irrigation equipment are 50,000-70,000 yuan.

② Planting profit: At 3-4 grams per seedling, the total is about 700 kg. At 300 yuan per kg, the income is about 210,000 yuan. The planting cost input is about 150,000 yuan, the income is 210,000 yuan, and the profit per mu is about 60,000 yuan.

3. High-yield greenhouse: The formal high-yield greenhouse for Anoectochilus roxburghii is the method currently adopted by relatively large Anoectochilus roxburghii planting enterprises. It can control temperature, control humidity and ventilate, and the land area utilization rate can reach 200%.

① Investment cost: About 300,000 seedlings of Anoectochilus roxburghii can be planted per mu. The cost per seedling is 0.3-0.4 yuan, so the total cost of seedlings is about 100,000 yuan. Inputs such as labor, greenhouses and irrigation equipment are about 120,000 yuan.

② Planting profit: At 3-4 grams per seedling, the total is about 900 kg. At 300 yuan per kg, the income is about 270,000 yuan. The planting cost input is about 220,000 yuan, the income is 270,000 yuan, and the profit per mu is about 50,000 yuan.