How to Grow Lycopus lucidus? Detailed Explanation of Lycopus lucidus Planting Techniques and Methods
Lycopus lucidus is a perennial herbaceous plant in the Lamiaceae family. The main edible parts of Lycopus lucidus are the tender stems and leaves, which can be used in cold dishes, stir-fries, and more. Its rhizomes also have medicinal effects such as promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, and promoting diuresis to reduce swelling, making it a plant with relatively high nutritional value. At present, the planting area of Lycopus lucidus in China is relatively large, but many people want to grow it yet do not know how to plant it. Today, the editor brings you the planting techniques for Lycopus lucidus. Let's take a look!
1. Sowing at the Right Time
Lycopus lucidus can be planted in two ways: rhizome planting and seed sowing. For rhizome planting, select tender rhizomes at harvest time, cut them into small sections of about 12 cm, then control the planting density and plant them in time. Place about three rhizome sections in each planting hole. After planting, cover with soil and press firm, then water thoroughly to promote sprouting. For seed sowing, do a good job of seed collection and sow in rows around Qingming Festival. As with rhizome planting, cover with soil and press firm promptly after sowing. However, the germination rate of seed sowing is not high, only about 55%. Keep the soil temperature at around 18 degrees, and seedlings will emerge and break through the soil in about 9 days.
2. Field Management
After sowing and emergence, manage the seedlings well. During the seedling stage, pay attention to intertillage and weeding to promote seedling growth and improve the survival rate. When the seedlings grow to about 32 cm, close the rows in time. After closing the rows, weeding can be stopped, but pay attention to timely watering to keep the soil in a moist state. Also, during the growth process, apply supplemental fertilizer in time according to seedling growth and the soil's fertilizer content. The first supplemental fertilization should be done when the seedlings are about 12 cm tall, and supplemental fertilization should also be done after the first harvest. Decomposed farmyard manure can be used as fertilizer. After more than two consecutive years of planting, the plants become relatively lush, and at this time they should be replanted to prevent the occurrence of pests and diseases.
3. Pest and Disease Control
Lycopus lucidus does have a certain incidence of pests and diseases. Common pests and diseases include rust disease and wild borers, among others. Whether disease or pest, if not handled in time, they will pose a very great threat to plant growth. We should take preventive measures to prevent any pests and diseases, because once they occur, losses are certain to result. After harvest, do a good job of clearing the garden, clean up diseased and residual branches in the field, and plow the land for disinfection to reduce overwintering eggs and pathogens and lower the incidence rate. After disease occurs, take corresponding measures in time. For example, for rust disease, fenaminosulf mixed with washing powder can be used for control.
4. Harvesting at the Right Time
The specific harvest time of Lycopus lucidus depends on the planting time. According to normal sowing time, harvesting generally takes place in summer and autumn each year. In summer and autumn, Lycopus lucidus has dense branches and leaves, and the whole aboveground plant should be collected in time before flowering. We should also determine the harvest time according to the planting region. For example, in the south, harvesting is generally after Qingming Festival. Lycopus lucidus can grow continuously, and usually at least more than two harvests can be obtained each year. However, if the planting direction is rhizomes for medicinal use and the plot is a seed-rhizome retention field, the aboveground parts must not be harvested, otherwise it will be unable to grow again.
The above is a brief introduction to the planting techniques for Lycopus lucidus. After harvesting Lycopus lucidus, cut it into sections and spread it flat on the ground to dry in the sun. After harvesting the rhizomes, wash the soil off the surface and dry off the moisture. Otherwise, it is not easy to store, and during storage it is prone to rot, reducing quality and causing some unnecessary losses. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only. Thank you all for reading and supporting.