How much do Amomum villosum seeds cost? Detailed planting methods
Amomum villosum, also known as Yangchun sand, green-shell sand, Hainan sand, etc., is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Amomum in the ginger family. It is distributed in Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi and Yunnan, and is cultivated or grows wild in shaded and damp mountainous areas. Its fruit is used medicinally to resolve dampness and stimulate appetite, warm the spleen and stop diarrhea, and regulate qi and prevent miscarriage. Let's take a look at Amomum villosum seed prices and planting methods together below!
How much does one jin of Amomum villosum seeds cost?
The price of Amomum villosum seeds is about 60 to 80 yuan per jin, but prices vary greatly depending on seed quality, variety, place of origin, market and so on. Amomum villosum prefers the warm and humid climate of tropical and southern subtropical monsoon rainforests. It is not cold-tolerant and can withstand only brief low temperatures; it dies when frozen at -3°C. It fears drought and avoids waterlogging. It prefers diffused light. It is best cultivated on loam and sandy loam with deep, loose upper layers and strong water- and fertilizer-retention capacity. In production, seed propagation and division propagation are commonly used.
What types of Amomum villosum are there?
1. Green-shell sand: Green-shell sand grows 1 to 2 m tall and blooms in April to May. Its capsule is spherical or elliptical, slightly triangular, green on the outside, with spiny protrusions, and contains many seeds. It matures in August to September.
2. Red-shell sand: Red-shell sand differs from green-shell sand in having larger leaves with fine hairs on the leaf underside, and smaller round fruits that are red on the outside. Its fruiting rate is relatively high, but its quality is poor, so it is not widely cultivated.
3. Yangchun sand: Yangchun sand differs from green-shell sand in that its capsule is purple-brown on the outside, and its underground stem is more distinctly red than that of green-shell sand. Its quality is good, and it is the main variety traded and circulated on the market.
Sowing methods for Amomum villosum
1. Seed collection: Amomum villosum seeds mature around August to September. Select plump and robust fruits. Sun-dry the fruits twice before sowing, then compost them after drying, keeping the composting temperature (between 30 and 35°C) and a certain humidity. After 3 to 4 days, wash and rub off the fruit skin, dry them, and they are ready for sowing.
2. Land preparation and fertilization: Choose a nursery site for Amomum villosum that is sheltered from the wind and convenient for drainage and irrigation. Deep plow and harrow finely to make beds. The beds should be 15 cm high and 1 to 1.2 m wide. Apply sufficient base fertilizer, with 15 to 25 kg of superphosphate and 1000 to 1500 kg of organic fertilizer mixed and composted with cow dung or compost per mu.
3. Timely sowing: For Amomum villosum, sow in March in spring, or from late August to early September in autumn. Sow in furrows or in holes. Before sowing, first set up a shed frame, and add a shade cover when seedlings emerge. A shade level of 80 to 90% is suitable. When there are 7 to 8 leaves, the shade can be appropriately reduced, but the shade level must not be lower than 70%.
4. Topdressing during the seedling stage: For the first topdressing of Amomum villosum seedlings, when there are 2 leaves, use 1.5 to 2 kg of ammonium sulfate nitrogen fertilizer per mu diluted in 1500 kg of water. When there are 5 leaves, use 3 kg of nitrogen fertilizer per mu diluted in 1500 kg of water. After 10 leaves, apply topdressing once every half month, using 3 kg of nitrogen fertilizer per mu diluted in 1000 kg of water.
5. Seedling management: During the seedling stage of Amomum villosum, water frequently to keep the soil moist. In winter and early spring, additional decomposed cow dung and plant ash can be applied to enhance cold resistance. When a cold wave comes, set up windbreaks on the north side of the beds and use smoke to protect against the cold. Thin seedlings when they are 10 to 15 cm tall, and transplant them out of the nursery when they are 50 cm tall.
Planting methods for Amomum villosum
1. Soil selection: For Amomum villosum, it is best to choose sandy loam or light clay loam that is fertile, loose, and strong in water and fertilizer retention. Broadleaf evergreen forest land with high humidity and a water source, as well as mountain slopes, valleys and flat land convenient for drainage and irrigation, can all be used for planting. Sandy soil and heavy clay soil are not suitable.
2. Forest land preparation
① Mountain areas: Before planting in mountain areas, clear the land, remove all weeds and cut down excessive shade trees. Where there are not enough shade trees, pay attention to replanting them. Dig contour drainage and irrigation ditches around the mountain to prevent drought and drain waterlogging. At the same time, plant many fruit trees nearby to expand the nectar source and attract more insects for pollination.
② Plains: For planting on plains, ditches should be opened and beds made, with the bed surface shaped like a turtle shell to prevent water accumulation. Attention should also be paid to creating shade trees. First plant fast-growing crops such as banana and tephrosia for temporary shade, then plant tall white mealy ficus, albizia and fruit trees as permanent shade trees.
3. Field management
① Before reaching the age of flowering and fruiting, a relatively large shade level is needed, preferably 70 to 80%. Weed 5 to 8 times each year, once a month during the rainy season. In addition to applying phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, appropriately increase nitrogen fertilizer. From February to October each year, apply fertilizer 3 to 4 times, pay attention to watering, and keep the soil moist.
② After entering the age of flowering and fruiting, more sunlight is needed during the flower bud differentiation stage, and maintaining an average shade level of 50 to 60% is more suitable. However, in sandy soil with poor water retention capacity or where there is a lack of water sources, a shade level of about 70% should be maintained, and at the same time, mainly weed twice each year.
4. Pest and disease control
① Stem blight: Stem blight occurs in the rainy season from July to August. After young seedlings are damaged, the stems dry up and the plants lodge and die. For control, spray with 1:1:1404160 Bordeaux mixture.
② Leaf spot: Leaf spot occurs both at the seedling stage and in the field. For control, remove diseased plants and spray with 1:1:120 Bordeaux mixture or 1000-fold amobam aqueous solution.
③ Fruit rot: For fruit rot control, pay attention to ventilation and light transmission, and drain accumulated water. During the young fruit stage, spray with 1% formaldehyde solution at 50 kg per mu. After harvesting the fruit, broadcast 15 to 20 kg of lime and plant ash at 1:243.
④ Stem borer: Stem borers damage young seedlings. For control, strengthen water and fertilizer management. During the peak period of adult egg laying, spray with 1000-fold 40% dimethoate emulsion or 800-fold 90% trichlorfon original powder.