A Detailed Guide to the Cultivation Techniques and Management Methods of Pokeweed

Pokeweed, also known as mountain radish, "swelling-reducing herb", and water-lotus, is a perennial robust herbaceous plant of the genus Phytolacca in the family Phytolaccaceae. It is widely distributed in the red soil low hilly areas south of the Yangtze River. Among the varieties currently distributed in China, there are mainly pokeweed (wild radish) and drooping pokeweed (American pokeweed, American pokeweed, ten-stamen pokeweed), which have high cultivation value. Let's take a look at the cultivation techniques of pokeweed together!

Growth Habits of Pokeweed

Pokeweed has strong vitality and often grows wild at the foot of mountains, in forests, along roadsides, and around houses. It is distributed in plains, hills, and mountainous areas. It prefers warm and humid climate conditions, is cold-tolerant but not waterlogging-tolerant, and the suitable growth temperature is 14-30°C. The above-ground parts wither when leaves fall in autumn and winter, while the underground fleshy roots can withstand low temperatures of -15°C. It has wide adaptability to soil. Whether sandy soil or red loam, whether fertile or barren soil, it can grow with lush branches and leaves.

Propagation Techniques of Pokeweed

1. Seed propagation: Direct seeding of pokeweed is carried out in late February. As a wall-protecting green manure, shallow holes are opened on terrace walls at a spacing of 1.0x1.5 m, sowing 8-10 seeds per hole (its seed germination rate is 70-80%). After sowing, cover with soil 1-2 cm, and covering with burnt mud ash gives even better results. Seedlings emerge 20-25 d after sowing. When seedlings are 10-15 cm tall, thin them, leaving 1-2 seedlings per hole.

2. Fleshy root planting: From mid-November to mid-December, when the perennial roots have not yet sprouted, select fleshy roots with buds and plant them. Cut the parts with buds, keeping 3-4 buds per piece, dip the cuts in plant ash, and sow at a spacing of 40×40 cm. Cover with soil 3-4 cm, then apply high-quality farmyard manure and cover the planting hole to retain moisture. Water as appropriate to promote seedling emergence.

Cultivation Techniques of Pokeweed

1. Field management: After pokeweed seedlings are established or during severe drought, water continuously 2 times. When soil moisture is suitable, loosen the soil and weed shallowly, keeping the soil surface loose, moist, and free of weeds. Pokeweed blooms from June to August. Except for those kept for seed, cut off all flower stalks to reduce nutrient consumption. To help pokeweed overwinter safely and increase organic fertilizer in the field, in late autumn and early winter, spread chopped straw and chaff such as wheat and rice chaff at 6000 kg/hectare in the fields planted that year.

2. Reasonable topdressing: After pokeweed seedlings are established, spray 0.5% urea solution on the leaves, in small amounts multiple times, with the total amount not exceeding 225 kg/hectare. The following spring, before the plants emerge, open shallow furrows between the two rows and bury-apply about 1200 kg/hectare of potassium sulfate high-efficiency compound fertilizer. From July to August, spray about 1800 kg/hectare of 1% potassium sulfate or 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate, once every 15 days, for 3-4 consecutive sprays.

3. Pest and disease control: Pokeweed has no diseases throughout its growth period. Because the stems and leaves are tender, the main pest is aphids, which can be controlled with 40% "Keyaxing" at 600 times dilution or 25% pirimicarb at 1000 times dilution, with maximum use frequencies of 3 times and 2 times respectively, and a safety interval of 7 days for both. Sometimes root rot may cause damage. The above-ground parts of affected plants wither and appear green-wilted, and the rhizome turns brown; in severe cases, the roots rot. Choose well-drained plots for planting, drain water promptly during the rainy season, and disinfect the soil with 70% pentachloronitrobenzene at 15 kg/hectare.