How to grow Atractylodes macrocephala seedlings? Key technical points explained in detail
Atractylodes macrocephala is a common Chinese medicinal herb, mainly used to dry dampness and promote diuresis, stop sweating, and prevent miscarriage; it is a tonic for deficiency. At the same time, Atractylodes macrocephala can also regulate the digestive system, enhance immunity, boost hematopoietic function, and play a role in delaying aging. It also has certain effects on lowering blood sugar and inhibiting cancer. So how do you grow Atractylodes macrocephala seedlings? Let's take a closer look together below.
1. Seedbed preparation
Seedbed preparation should be carried out at least one month before sowing and seedling raising of Atractylodes macrocephala. For the seedbed site, generally choose an area with higher terrain and close to a water source, plow the soil deeply, cover the prepared seedbed with a layer of weeds, then light the weeds and burn them to ashes for disinfection. After everything has been burned, plow the land again, break up the clods, remove impurities such as stones from the field, make the beds with an arched surface, and spread sufficient base fertilizer, generally using decomposed manure and urine.
2. Seed treatment
For Atractylodes macrocephala seeds, choose excellent varieties that are plump, fresh, glossy, and free of pests and diseases, then carry out seed treatment before sowing to increase the seedling emergence rate of Atractylodes macrocephala. First soak the seeds in warm water at a temperature of about 30 degrees; after one day, scoop the seeds out and place them in a basin containing carbendazim solution for sterilization treatment. After about ten minutes, scoop them out, rinse them clean with water, put them into a cloth bag, and place them in an environment at a temperature of 25 degrees for germination. During germination, keep the cloth bag moist, watering once a day, and after about five days they can be sown.
3. Sowing and seedling raising
Because there are certain differences in climate between the northern and southern regions of China, the sowing time needs to be carried out specifically according to different situations. Generally, in the south, sowing is carried out from the end of March to the beginning of April each year, while in the north, sowing at the end of April is preferable. There are two sowing methods, namely dibbling and drilling. For dibbling, spread a layer of manure and urine on the seedbed, then evenly scatter the seeds, cover with a layer of cake fertilizer or plant ash, and finally cover with a layer of rice straw. For drilling, open furrows with a row spacing of 15 cm and a furrow depth of 4 to 5 cm, spread a layer of organic fertilizer in the furrows, cover with a layer of fine soil, then scatter the seeds, and finally cover with cake fertilizer and rice straw.
4. Seedling stage management
Atractylodes macrocephala generally emerges about 10 to 15 days after sowing, so after emergence, promptly uncover the covering of rice straw to avoid damaging the seedlings. Next, after the seedlings emerge, promptly carry out weeding, loosening the soil, and thinning. Thinning is generally done when the Atractylodes macrocephala seedlings are about 3 cm tall, and when the seedlings grow to 4 to 5 cm, shallow hoeing can be carried out. Then when the seedlings grow to about 8 to 10 cm, final thinning is needed, with a spacing of about 4 cm per plant. When Atractylodes macrocephala grows 4 to 5 true leaves, topdressing is needed, and it should be combined with intertillage; topdressing is mainly based on manure and urine water. During the seedling raising period, topdressing should be carried out at least 2 to 3 times for the growth of Atractylodes macrocephala seedlings. Finally, watering should be done reasonably; generally, in dry seasons, water once every 5 to 10 days, while at ordinary times, water once every half month, and at the same time remember to drain promptly to avoid root rot.
The above is what the editor wants to share with everyone today about the seedling raising methods of Atractylodes macrocephala, hoping to help all friends who grow Atractylodes macrocephala. Of course, if later you encounter any difficult problems when growing Atractylodes macrocephala, you can leave a message for the editor for consultation.