Field Management Methods and Technical Points for Mint
When talking about mint, the first thing everyone thinks of is certainly mint-flavored food, but in fact mint is a plant. It is a very common traditional Chinese medicinal herb, and all mint-flavored foods are made from extracts of mint. Mint has various effects such as cooling and detoxifying, and treating fever and headaches. Growing mint is also relatively simple, but you still need to do a good job of management. So today, the editor brings you the field management methods for mint. Let's take a look below!
1. Intertillage and weeding
The primary management task for mint is intertillage and weeding, which can promote the growth and development of mint and strengthen nutrient absorption. When mint seedlings grow to about 8-12 cm, intertillage and weeding should be carried out. Pay attention to the depth during intertillage; it must not be too deep, as this would affect root expansion. Then, in the later growth period, there must be no fewer than two rounds of intertillage and weeding, the first before ridge closing and the second after harvest. During its growth process, the number of times should be appropriately increased according to the amount of weeds in the mint field, and continuous cropping on the same land should be avoided.
2. Timely topdressing
Mint has a relatively long growth period, so its demand for nutrients is very high. We should not only apply sufficient base fertilizer before planting, but also topdress in a timely manner during the growth of mint. The number of topdressings should not be fewer than 2, and the amount and nutrient ratio should be controlled according to the planting area of mint and the fertility of the soil. Do not over-apply topdressing, especially in the early stage of mint growth; otherwise, excessive vegetative growth is very likely to occur, worsening lodging and the dropping of flowers and leaves in mint. According to the growth condition of the plants, timely foliar fertilizer application should also be carried out to promote the growth of mint leaves, strengthen photosynthesis, and increase nutrient accumulation.
3. Water management
Mint is a crop that relatively prefers water, especially in the early and middle stages of mint growth, because the roots of mint have not yet fully spread out, their water absorption capacity is not strong, and the demand for water is relatively high. In the early and middle stages, water at least once every half month, and after passing through the early and middle stages and closing the rows, reduce the frequency and amount of watering. This prevents the stems and leaves from absorbing too much water and growing excessively, which would make the plant's center of gravity unstable, cause lodging, and lead to excessive leaf drop, affecting yield. Also, watering should be stopped 3-4 weeks before harvest, and field moisture should not be too high. In rainy weather, excess water should be drained out of the field in time.
4. Timely pinching
Observe the growth of mint regularly. When the plant's leaves are found to be too sparse and its growth is weak, the terminal bud of the main stem should be appropriately removed to promote the growth of mint leaves and increase mint yield. When pinching, pay attention to the weather; it should not be done in cloudy and rainy weather, and there should be sufficient sunlight, because this is conducive to wound healing and prevents wound infection that could cause pests and diseases. After removing the terminal bud, topdress in time to promote the sprouting of new buds and enhance the growth ability of mint. However, it should be noted that pinching should not be carried out when the branches and leaves of mint are dense.
The above are the field management methods for mint cultivation. Planting is only the first step; field management is the most important part of growing mint. And while managing, various pest and disease prevention and control tasks should also be done well to prevent harm to the growth of mint, reduce mint yield, and threaten your own economic benefits from cultivation. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only. If you want to learn more related information, please continue to follow us!