A detailed explanation of the planting methods and key technical points for balloon flower
Balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus) is a perennial herbaceous plant with relatively high value. It not only has extremely high ornamental value, but its root is also a traditional Chinese medicinal material. In northern China, it is also used to make pickles, making it a plant with a very wide range of uses. Nowadays, quite a few people grow balloon flower, so how should it be planted? What are the specific planting techniques? Today, the editor brings you the planting methods for balloon flower. Let's take a look!
1. Site selection and land preparation
The root capacity of balloon flower is not strong, so when planting it needs to be grown in soil with strong permeability and a relatively loose texture. There needs to be a clean water source around the planting site, with a good drainage and irrigation system, and it is best to plant it on a hillside with half shade and half sun. After selecting the site, prepare the land in time. Because the root of balloon flower is relatively long and thick, when preparing the land you need to make ridges, plow the land deeply and cultivate it, then open furrows and pile the soil from the furrows to both sides. Make field ridges 2 m wide to provide a good growing environment for balloon flower.
2. Timely sowing
Apart from not being suitable for germination and emergence under high-temperature conditions in summer, balloon flower can be sown in the other three seasons. However, the best time is mid-September each year and around the beginning of spring. Sowing at this time helps promote the seeds to take root and germinate, enhances the growth capacity of the seedlings, and improves yield and quality. When sowing, it is best to use the drill sowing method. After sowing, cover promptly with fine soil and plastic film to improve the soil's water- and fertilizer-retaining capacity, prevent the loss of water and fertilizer, and avoid affecting the seed germination and emergence rate. After the seedlings emerge, remove the plastic film promptly to ensure the seedlings can grow normally.
3. Field management
After the seedlings break through the soil and grow to about 2 cm, observe the growth condition and density of the seedlings and promptly do the work of thinning and spacing the seedlings. Then, when the seedlings have elongated again, you can begin final thinning. When final thinning, control the spacing between seedlings well to prevent overly dense growth. Also, when thinning, pull out the dead and weak seedlings, then replant to ensure yield. During the seedling stage of balloon flower, weed regularly to prevent excessive weeds from causing nutrient deficiency in balloon flower. After weeding, apply fertilizer in time. Well-rotted farmyard manure can be used, and later, apply fertilizer at the appropriate time according to the growth condition of balloon flower.
4. Disease and pest control
What balloon flower fears most is various diseases and pests. When diseases and pests are severe, they can cause balloon flower to have no harvest at all. For example, common diseases include leaf spot, and pests include aphids. No matter what kind of disease or pest it is, the harm to balloon flower is very serious, so we must strengthen field management and disinfect regularly. Control the nutrients in the fertilizer well, enhance the disease resistance of balloon flower, improve immunity, and reduce the incidence rate. After disease occurs, promptly pull out the diseased plants, check the specific diseases and pests, and then use the corresponding treatment methods for control to reduce losses to a minimum.
The above is a brief introduction to the planting techniques for balloon flower. It should be noted that when harvesting, you must be careful not to damage the roots of balloon flower, to prevent wounds that can lead to infection by pathogens, disease, and rot. This is because the most valuable part of balloon flower is the root, and once the root becomes diseased, it basically loses its commercial value. 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!