How to grow Dichondra repens? Planting methods and daily care key points
Light
Dichondra repens loves sunlight very much. During its peak growing period, it should be given sufficient light, as this is beneficial to its growth. Moreover, receiving enough sunlight every day not only helps it grow well, but also makes the leaves look better and become more emerald green. However, in summer, the light is too intense, and the plant should not be placed under direct sunlight to avoid scorching the leaves. Therefore, the plant should be given some shade so that it can grow healthily.
Temperature
Dichondra repens does not have very high temperature requirements, but it should be noted that in winter, because the temperature is too low, attention should be paid to keeping the plant warm. In winter, the temperature should not be lower than -6°C to -7°C, otherwise the plant will be frostbitten.
Watering
After the young seedlings of Dichondra repens emerge, they can be watered 1 to 2 times a week, and irrigation frequency should be increased during dry seasons. After the plant matures, watering should be controlled in early spring and early winter. Spring is the peak growing season for the plant, and at this time the number of waterings should be determined according to the soil quality.
Soil
Dichondra repens is not very strict about soil requirements. As long as drainage conditions are moderate, it can be planted in sandy loam and clay. It mostly grows in fertile fields or mountainous areas.
The above is an introduction to the question of how to grow Dichondra repens. In addition to these, there are some matters needing attention if you want to grow Dichondra repens well.
Dichondra repens Forst. Dichondra repens profile: how to grow Dichondra repens / how to propagate Dichondra repens
Dichondra repens cardDichondra repens Forst.
Aliases: small Lysimachia, lotus-bud grass, meat wonton grass, golden key, copper coin grass, small Dichondra repens, jaundice grass, purse grass
Classification: perennial herbaceous flower
Family and genus: Plantae, Angiosperms, Dicotyledoneae, Tubiflorae, Convolvulaceae, Dichondra
Full bloom period: spring
Dichondra repens, also known as small Lysimachia, lotus-bud grass, meat wonton grass, golden key, copper coin grass, small Dichondra repens, and jaundice grass, is a plant in the Convolvulaceae family and Dichondra genus. It is distributed in areas south of the Yangtze River in China (including the Taiwan region), and is widely distributed in Guizhou, Guangxi, Fujian, Sichuan, Zhejiang, Hunan and other places. It grows at altitudes of 1300 m to 1980 m, mostly by roadsides, on mountain slopes and grasslands, or by ditches, and has been introduced and cultivated artificially. Dichondra repens is a commonly used herbal medicine among the Miao people for treating hepatitis, with the Miao medicinal name "Wobi Shelui". It is a perennial creeping herbaceous plant, harvested from April to June. Bitter and pungent in taste, slightly cold in nature...
Cultivation methods and precautions for Dichondra repens Introduction to Dichondra repens
Dichondra repens, also known as small Lysimachia, lotus-bud grass, meat wonton grass, golden key, copper coin grass, small Dichondra repens, and jaundice grass, is a plant in the Convolvulaceae family and Dichondra genus. It is distributed in areas south of the Yangtze River in China (including the Taiwan region), and is widely distributed in Guizhou, Guangxi, Fujian, Sichuan, Zhejiang, Hunan and other places. It grows at altitudes of 1300 m to 1980 m, mostly by roadsides, on mountain slopes and grasslands, or by ditches, and has been introduced and cultivated artificially.
Dichondra repens is a commonly used herbal medicine among the Miao people for treating hepatitis, with the Miao medicinal name "Wobi Shelui". It is a perennial creeping herbaceous plant, harvested from April to June. Bitter and pungent in taste, slightly cold in nature, mainly entering the lung and stomach meridians, it has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, promoting diuresis, and activating blood circulation. It is a Miao folk medicinal material rich in resources and has good development and utilization value. The herbal medicine Dichondra repens, also called small Lysimachia, mainly treats: clearing heat; draining dampness; detoxifying. Used for jaundice; dysentery; strangury with sand; white turbidity; edema; boils and swelling toxins; traumatic injuries; venomous snake bites.
Morphological characteristics of Dichondra repens
Dichondra repens is a perennial creeping small herb. The stems are slender, covered with gray short soft hairs, and root at the nodes. The leaves are kidney-shaped to round, 4-25 mm in diameter, broadly rounded or slightly notched at the apex, broadly heart-shaped at the base, slightly hairy on the surface, appressed short soft hairs on the underside, entire; with long petioles, petioles (1.5) 3-5 (6) cm long.
The flowers of Dichondra repens are solitary in the leaf axils, the pedicels shorter than the petioles, thread-like; sepals obovate-oblong to spoon-shaped, obtuse, 2-3 mm long, hairy on the back and margins; corolla campanulate, shorter than to slightly longer than the calyx, yellow, deeply 5-lobed, lobes oblong-lanceolate, hairless; stamens 5, inserted at the sinuses between the 2 corolla lobes, filaments short, equal in length; ovary sparsely soft-hairy, 2-locular, with 4 ovules, styles 2, stigma capitate. Capsule nearly spherical, small, shorter than the calyx, about 1.5 mm in diameter, membranous. Seeds 1-2, yellow to brown, hairless.
Dichondra repens, also called small Lysimachia, is a perennial creeping small herb. The stems are slender, covered with gray short soft hairs, and root at the nodes. Leaves alternate, simple; petioles 3-5 cm long; blades kidney-shaped to round, 0.4-2.5 cm in diameter, broadly rounded or slightly notched at the apex, broadly heart-shaped at the base, slightly hairy on the surface, appressed short soft hairs on the underside, entire. Flowers solitary in the leaf axils, pedicels shorter than the petioles, thread-like; sepals 5, obovate-oblong to spoon-shaped, 2-3 mm long, hairy on the back and margins; corolla campanulate, yellow, deeply 5-lobed; ovary sparsely soft-hairy, 2-locular, styles 2, stigma capitate. Capsule nearly spherical, about 1.5 mm in diameter, membranous. Seeds 1-2, yellow to brown, hairless.
The flowering period of Dichondra repens is April, and the fruiting period is July-August.
Ecological habits of Dichondra repens
Dichondra repens likes warm and humid climates. It not only has strong adaptability, strong competitiveness and invasiveness, and vigorous vitality, but also has a certain tolerance to trampling. It is not very strict about soil requirements. As long as drainage conditions are moderate, it can be planted in sandy loam and clay.
Dichondra repens grows in semi-shaded and humid, fertile fields or mountainous areas. Dichondra repens mostly grows under sparse forests, at forest margins and on mountain slopes, roadsides, riverbanks, river beaches, and moist shaded grasslands, often growing in clusters and distributed in patches. Dichondra repens has a growth habit of both liking light and tolerating shade, and has strong disease resistance and pollution resistance.
Distribution area of Dichondra repens
Dichondra repens is mainly distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of both hemispheres.
Dichondra repens is distributed in all provinces south of the Yangtze River and in Taiwan Province, China, and is widely distributed in Guizhou, Guangxi, Fujian, Sichuan, Zhejiang, Hunan and other places. It grows at altitudes of 1300-1980 m, on mountain slopes and grasslands, by roadsides or ditches. It is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of both hemispheres.
Cultivation techniques, management, and care of Dichondra repens
Fertilization
Because Dichondra repens creeps along the ground and its leaves are relatively broad, fertilization is very difficult. If fertilization techniques are not strictly controlled, serious seedling burn can result. Generally speaking, if highly soluble fertilizer is used, it is best to dissolve it first and then spray it with a sprayer; if fertilizer that cannot dissolve immediately is used, a large amount of water should be applied after fertilization to wash the fertilizer that has fallen on the leaves into the soil and make it dissolve as quickly as possible, which can reduce the degree of scorching; alternatively, fertilize first, then use a broom to sweep the fertilizer under the leaves, and then water. At the same time, avoid fertilizing at high temperatures.
It likes nitrogen fertilizer. Usually, in combination with rain and watering, an appropriate amount of nitrogen fertilizer should be applied as topdressing. It is best to apply urea 3-5 kg/mu plus diammonium 5-10 kg/mu. After the turf has been cultivated for 2-3 years, because the rhizomes are densely packed together, it is easy to cause soil compaction and affect aeration and water permeability. Depending on the situation, holes can be pierced, or a knife or shovel can be used to cut lines to sever the grass roots, improving soil looseness. At the same time, apply nitrogen fertilizer and water appropriately to restore the lawn's vitality.
Under conditions of suitable humidity, the creeping stems of Dichondra repens grow rapidly and have very strong invasive ability. These determine its characteristic of tolerating extensive management. However, like other turfgrasses, Dichondra repens lawns also have some difficulties in maintenance.
Weed control
The weed species appearing in Dichondra repens lawns are fewer than those appearing in bermudagrass, Manila grass, and tall fescue lawns. On the one hand, this phenomenon is because Dichondra repens lawns have strong creeping ability; on the other hand, it is because Dichondra repens has a long green period, turns green early, and has strong competitiveness against weeds. However, in newly planted Dichondra repens lawns, because a 2-3 month growth period is needed before it can fully cover the ground, it is easily invaded by weeds before full coverage. When there are few weeds, manual pulling can be used; if there are many weeds, herbicides can be used. A single spray of Lyujun SL-2 compound at 525-675 g/hm2 can control most weed damage, with a residual effect lasting up to 80-90 d, and it is safe for Dichondra repens lawns. It is worth noting that herbicides are best used at the weed seedling stage.
Watering
Regular irrigation and moderate fertilization are needed. After the young seedlings emerge, water 1-2 times a week, and irrigation frequency should be increased during dry seasons. After the lawn is formed, watering should be controlled in early spring and early winter; during the peak growing season in spring, the number of waterings should be determined according to soil quality. During the growing period, apply nitrogen fertilizer 3-6 grams per sq m. Generally, fertilize 1-2 times each year in spring and autumn, which helps maintain the lawn's appearance. Improper fertilization can easily cause seedling burn. Generally speaking, fertilizer should be dissolved before spraying, or a large amount of water should be applied after fertilization, which can avoid the above phenomenon; at the same time, attention should also be paid to avoiding fertilization at high temperatures.
Cultivation methods and key cultivation points of Dichondra repens
Land preparation
Loosen the soil by rotary tilling, level it with a rake, and refine it so that the soil particle diameter is below 2 cm. Adjust the soil pH to 5.5-7.0. Use formalin:water = 1:40 for soil disinfection, with a dosage of 10-15 L per sq m of bed surface. Before disinfection, the soil needs to be dry.
Ditching and transplanting
On the prepared lawn bed, open small ditches 2-3 cm deep, with a ditch spacing of 3-4 cm. Separate the prepared Dichondra repens plants and place them evenly in the ditches, keeping the plant spacing in the ditches at 3-4 cm, cover with 2 cm of soil, water once thoroughly, cover with a shade net or grass curtain, and keep the soil moist every day. On the 5th day after planting, the plants grow vigorously, but the creeping branches have not yet fully contacted the ground to grow new roots; on the 10th day, a large number of creeping stems fully contact the ground and will grow new roots and new buds.
Cultivation covered with fine sand
Before planting, water the prepared lawn bed thoroughly, manually tear open the Dichondra repens turf, spread it evenly on the lawn bed, and evenly scatter the prepared fine sandy soil on top of the Dichondra repens, covering with sand 6-10 mm thick, keeping the fine sandy soil completely moist, and covering with a shade net to prevent excessive water evaporation. By the 5th day, a large number of new roots have grown at the creeping stem nodes of Dichondra repens; by the 10th day, a large number of new branches have grown where new roots emerged.
Propagation methods of Dichondra repens
Dichondra repens is commonly propagated by sowing and division.
Sowing propagation
For Dichondra repens, spring sowing is suitable in April-May, and autumn sowing is suitable in September-October. When the soil temperature reaches 21°C, it is the best sowing time. The sowing rate is 10-15 g/m2. Before sowing, soak the seeds in 50 mg/kg GA for 4 hours before sowing for better results. Sow the treated seeds in rows or broadcast them on the prepared lawn bed, then rake the ground with a nail rake so that the seeds enter the soil 1-2 cm, press them, and cover with non-woven fabric or grass curtains to increase germination temperature and maintain soil moisture, promote uniform emergence, and improve the emergence rate.
Generally, sow in spring from March to April or in autumn from September to October, with a sowing rate of 10-15 grams per sq m. Usually, the seeds are mixed evenly with fine sandy soil and then broadcast. After sowing, cover with a thin layer of soil and then a layer of non-woven fabric, pay attention to watering, and they will germinate successively in 7-10 days. In practice, creeping stems are often used for vegetative propagation. First, deeply plow and level the ground, remove debris, and apply sufficient base fertilizer, then lay turf blocks, cover slightly with fine sand or fine soil, roll them, and water.
Division propagation
In April-May, lift the creeping stems with soil and divide them into small clumps, planting them at a hole spacing of 15-20 cm. After planting, water to keep moist, and pay attention to removing weeds.
Disease control of Dichondra repens Disease control
Dichondra repens lawns have strong disease resistance, and only southern blight and a small amount of Phyllosticta leaf spot disease occur. The above diseases mostly occur in the high-temperature, high-humidity season from July to August. Using drugs such as chlorothalonil and carbendazim, sprayed once every 7 to 10 days, can effectively prevent the occurrence and development of the diseases.
Rust disease
The main symptom is the production of reddish-brown powdery scabs or striped spots on stems and leaves, which later turn dark brown. Generally, rust spores begin to spread in April, first appearing on the leaves, expanding to the entire plant in summer, and in severe cases can cause the lawn to wither and die in large patches.
Control methods
First, pay attention to avoiding nitrogen fertilizer in summer; second, use chemical control. You can use 20% triadimefon emulsifiable concentrate at 30 to 40 milliliters per mu, or 40% carbendazim suspension concentrate at 75 to 100 milliliters per mu.
Sclerotinia disease
The main symptom of affected plants is the appearance of round brown or slightly brown spots, which become large lesions as the disease deepens. In particular, high temperature and high humidity in summer, or improper nitrogen fertilizer application, will aggravate the disease and cause large bald patches in the lawn.
Control methods
First, when the disease occurs, dig out the plants in the affected area together with 5 cm of soil and dispose of them centrally, and use 40% quintozene powder at 2 grams per sq m mixed with soil for disinfection and sterilization. Second, pay attention to drainage during the rainy season. When the disease is severe, 75% chlorothalonil wettable powder can be used for control, at 100 to 125 grams per mu.
Southern blight
Leaves, stems, and roots can all be affected. Affected leaves show irregular yellowing lesions, and in severe cases the entire leaf dies and wilts. On the stem base and near the soil surface of severely affected plants, white silky mycelium and sclerotia about 1 mm in diameter can be seen. The sclerotia are initially white, then turn yellow and brown. The yellowing affected Dichondra repens lawn initially appears as circles several tens of centimeters in diameter, and as the disease develops, it can expand into irregular dead grass rings several meters across. Sclerotia are the main primary infection source of this disease. Sclerotium rolfsii is a soil-inhabiting fungus, and its hyphae can spread widely in the soil, becoming a secondary infection source. This disease is a high-temperature (25°C-35°C optimum) and high-humidity disease. In addition, soil rich in organic matter also favors the occurrence of this disease.
Chemical control
You can choose 1% Junliting 1000-fold solution or 25% prochloraz 2000-2500-fold solution for spraying.
Pest control
The larvae of scarab beetles, white grubs, and the larvae of noctuid moths, armyworms, and black cutworms are the main pests of Dichondra repens lawns. Dichondra repens turfgrass leaves are relatively tender and high in sap content, and are very seriously damaged by armyworms. During the adult emergence period, use the adults' phototaxis and chemotaxis to trap and kill them with black light lamps, poison bait, and poisonous grass, reducing their egg-laying. For white grubs, use 50% phoxim 1000-fold solution and spray the lawn in the evening (or irrigate); for armyworm and black cutworm larvae, use 40% omethoate 1000-fold solution for spraying control. Especially repeating the spray once the next day after spraying gives the best effect. Insecticides such as phoxim and chlorpyrifos can also be considered. Another organism harmful to Dichondra repens is the snail, which can be controlled by alternating use of Mida, Miehanluo, and others.
Loxostege sticticalis this insect
It causes serious damage to the lawn, boring into the grass roots and stems, interrupting the plant's water supply, causing stems and leaves to turn yellow and even die.
Control methods
It can be caught and killed with black light lamps, trapped and killed with sugar-vinegar liquid, or sprayed with 40% chlorpyrifos 1000-fold solution.
Atractomorpha sinensis
It chews leaves and tender stems. When the outbreak is severe, the stems and leaves are all eaten. The damage is most serious from June to August.
Control methods
Use 0.5 kg of trichlorfon or dichlorvos per mu added to 500 kg of water for spraying, or concentrate manpower in the morning to catch and kill them.
Black cutworm
It specifically eats young tender stems and leaves, preventing the lawn from growing normally, and in severe cases can cause plants to die in patches.
Control methods
Use 50% diazinon emulsifiable concentrate at 50 to 100 milliliters per mu, or 25% carbaryl wettable powder at 200 to 250 grams per mu.
Medicinal or dietary therapeutic value of Dichondra repens
The medical information and health dietary therapy information on Huahua Network is for reference only and cannot be used as a basis for diagnosis or medical treatment. Any health issues should be consulted with professional medical personnel, and treatment of any disease should follow a doctor's advice.
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Medicinal value
Functions and indications
Jaundice; dysentery; strangury with sand; white turbidity; edema; boils and swelling toxins; traumatic injuries; venomous snake bites. Clear heat and drain dampness, detoxify and reduce swelling. Used for hepatitis, cholecystitis, dysentery, nephritic edema, urinary tract infection, urinary tract stones, tonsillitis, traumatic injuries.
Usage and dosage
Internal use: decoct in water, 6-15 g; fresh product 30-60 g. External use: appropriate amount, pound and apply.
Nature and taste
Slightly bitter, sweet, cold in nature. Enters the water and wind towers.
Supplementary prescriptions
1. To treat "Longniu," "Longmengshahei": Dichondra repens 15 g, Siegesbeckia orientalis 10 g, plantain 15 g, verbena root 15 g. Decoct and take.
2. To treat "Longandale": Dichondra repens 30 g, tick clover 15 g, cassia root 15 g, cogongrass rhizome 15 g, isatis root 20 g. Decoct and take.
3. To treat "Longhaimaoba": Dichondra repens 20 g, gourd tip 15 g, black sugarcane bud eye 20 g, Acorus gramineus 10 g. Decoct and take.
4. To treat "Longhaixian": Dichondra repens 30 g. Decoct in water, add a little table salt, and take internally.
5. To treat "Longshalongjiehuo," "Longshalongjiehougaiban, Ole," "Longshalongdajiebengliang," "Shuofenglinglan": Dichondra repens 15 g, pound into a paste, mix with external water and take.
Medication contraindications
"Gangmu Shiyi": Avoid salt.
Pharmacological effects
1. Liver-protecting and enzyme-lowering effect
Pharmacological experimental studies show that Dichondra repens extract has a certain therapeutic and protective effect on acute liver injury in animals caused by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), and can significantly reduce the elevated serum transaminases in mice caused by liver injury within 1 week and 3 weeks; reduce pathological changes in the liver, and can also increase the inverted albumin-globulin ratio after liver injury; experiments with fresh Dichondra repens juice show that it reduces the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), serum and liver tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in CCl4-poisoned mice in a dose-dependent manner, significantly increases superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, and significantly reduces hepatocyte degeneration and necrosis. Therefore, it has a significant protective effect on acute liver injury caused by CCl4. ALT is released when the mitochondrial membrane lipids of damaged hepatocytes dissolve in large amounts. This drug can reduce cell membrane permeability, inhibit the release of intracellular enzymes, thereby improving liver injury and promoting the recovery of liver function. MDA content reflects the degree of tissue peroxidation. SOD is an antioxidant enzyme in the body that can scavenge free radicals and prevent free radical damage to cell structures. Fresh Dichondra repens juice can reduce MDA content, increase SOD activity, and reduce lipid peroxidation in the liver to achieve a liver-protecting effect.
For mouse liver injury caused by D-galactosamine (D-Glan), thioacetamide (TAA), and 1-naphthyl isothiocyanate (ANIT), it can significantly reduce serum transaminases and liver triglycerides in mice with D-Glan-induced liver injury and reduce liver histopathological changes; it can reduce serum alanine aminotransferase in mice with liver injury, reduce the elevated serum total bilirubin (Tbil) and serum transaminases (ALT and AST) in mice with cholestatic jaundice, improve experimental jaundice-type liver injury, promote the recovery of liver function and normal excretion of bilirubin, and play a role in protecting the liver and reducing jaundice; it also significantly reduces triglyceride (TG) content in liver tissue. In anti-hepatitis B virus experiments, the maximum non-toxic concentration of the compound (2R,3R)-2,3-dihydroxy-2-methyl-γ-butyrolactone was 0.4 μmol/ml, with an inhibition rate of 22.4% against HBsAg and 19.6% against HBeAg, showing a certain inhibitory effect on hepatitis B virus. The active components of Dichondra repens for liver protection and the specific cellular and molecular biological mechanisms remain to be further studied.
2. Analgesic effect
Using the writhing method, hot plate method, and electrical stimulation method to stimulate mice, different doses of Dichondra repens extract were administered, and the pain threshold of the mice was measured. The results showed that Dichondra repens extract has a good analgesic effect.
3. Anti-inflammatory effect
Small doses of Dichondra repens extract have a significant inhibitory effect on the increase in capillary permeability caused by acetic acid; it inhibits carrageenan-induced inflammatory swelling of rat toes. Both Dichondra repens extract and its petroleum ether extract can significantly inhibit xylene-induced acute inflammatory edema of mouse auricles, but the anti-inflammatory effect of the petroleum ether extract of Dichondra repens has no obvious dose-dependent relationship. For different inflammation models, the medium dose always has good pharmacological activity.
4. Antibacterial effect
Microbial tests show that Dichondra repens extract has a relatively strong antibacterial effect on Gram-positive pathogenic cocci such as Staphylococcus aureus and beta-hemolytic Streptococcus; while its effect on Gram-negative bacilli such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Proteus, and Aerobacter is weaker, mainly inhibitory. It is ineffective against Shigella flexneri.
5. Antipyretic and choleretic effects
A large dose of Dichondra repens extract (32.5 g/kg) can significantly reduce peptone-induced fever in rats, and the effect lasts a relatively long time, showing a good antipyretic effect. Injecting a small dose of Dichondra repens extract (8.2 g/kg) into the rat duodenum significantly increased bile flow within 120 minutes, indicating that the drug has a strong choleretic effect.
6. Immune-enhancing effect
A small dose of Dichondra repens can significantly increase the weight of the animal immune organs thymus and spleen, enhance the phagocytic function of mononuclear macrophages, and increase the level of serum hemolysin, indicating that the drug has the effect of promoting cellular immunity and humoral immunity.
7. Anticancer effect
Using HG-ICP-AES, the Se content in Dichondra repens was determined to be relatively high. The element Se has high antioxidant activity, 50-500 times that of vitamin E. It can scavenge free radicals in the body, prevent organ aging and pathological changes, delay aging, enhance human immunity, and resist the toxic effects of toxic heavy metals. Studies have shown that the element Se can inhibit the growth of cancer cells and the synthesis of their DNA, RNA, and proteins, inhibit the transcription of oncogenes, and interfere with the metabolic processes of carcinogens in the human body, thereby effectively fighting cancer.
Chemical composition
Dichondra repens mainly contains β-sitosterol, vanillin, n-octatriacontane, maltol, ursolic acid, scopoletin, umbelliferone: tormentic acid, uracil, skimmin, glycerin, and (N-benzoyl-L-phenylalanyl)-O-acetyl-L-phenylalaninol; various flavonoid components such as flavonoids, flavonols, and isoflavones, with a total flavonoid content of 0.937%; volatile oils, sugars, and trace elements.
The Uses and Ornamental Value of Dichondra
Dichondra has emerald-green leaves, a low-growing habit, and dense, attractive foliage. It tolerates light foot traffic, has vigorous vitality, strong stress resistance, and wide adaptability. It has low requirements for growing conditions and needs no trimming.
The Garden Uses of Dichondra: Garden Ornamental
Dichondra has advantages such as a long lifespan, a long green period, beautiful form, easy propagation, easy management, shade tolerance, and high-temperature tolerance. It is an excellent lawn grass and ground-cover greening material, worthy of being called a "green carpet." It is suitable for cultivation and ornamental viewing in parks, government compounds, courtyard green spaces, and the like, and can also be used as a soil-fixation material on ditch slopes, embankment slopes, and roadsides.
Greening Effect
Dichondra not only has ornamental value but also functions in soil fixation and slope protection, greening, and environmental purification. As an excellent ground-cover plant, it has been widely used in the northern subtropical regions of southern China.
The Cultural Background of Dichondra: Documentary Accounts
1. "Bai Cao Jing" (Mirror of a Hundred Herbs): It clears damp-heat. It treats jaundice, abdominal distension, white turbid urine, and amenorrhea; the mashed juice is applied to hot eyes; a decoction is used to wash hemorrhoids and swelling pain.
2. "Guizhou Folk Prescription Collection": It treats weakness after illness and lifts the spirits; it also promotes urination and treats edema.
3. "Guangxi Traditional Chinese Medicine Records": It promotes urination, disperses blood stasis, and relieves pain. It treats the five types of strangury, white turbid urine, and dysentery; externally it treats traumatic injuries from falls and blows and wind-fire eye pain.
4. "Sichuan Traditional Chinese Medicine Records": It dispels wind and regulates qi. It treats wind-cold cough, traumatic injuries from falls and blows, and jaundice.
5. "Flora of China": The whole plant used as medicine has the effects of clearing heat and promoting urination, dispelling wind and relieving pain, stopping bleeding and promoting tissue regeneration, reducing inflammation and detoxifying, and killing parasites. It can treat acute and chronic hepatitis, icteric hepatitis, cholecystitis, nephritis, urinary tract infections, tonsillitis, stomatitis, and boils, sores, and pyogenic infections, venomous snake bites, breast abscesses, dysentery, malaria, pulmonary hemorrhage, and more.
Alternative Names
Dichondra, jaundice herb, pouch grass, meat wonton grass, golden key, luopi grass, wine-cup nest, golden ear-picker, chicken-eye grass, small lamp-dish herb, small wind-welcoming grass, small bowl grass, small lobelia, dibula, star-seed grass, small yuanbao grass, ground-dropped money, small toad bowl, nine-linked rings, jade-eroded wonton, small half-money. People of Xianju call it: small bowl head.
Dichondra Pictures
How to Grow Dichondra into a Waterfall Effect
Flower Bonsai Network introduction: Today the editor of Flower Bonsai Network will share with you an article on how to grow dichondra into a waterfall effect. Flower lovers, come and take a look.
Dichondra is a foliage plant. Its stems are creeping, making it suitable for hanging as a hanging-basket plant. So, did you know that dichondra can also be grown into a waterfall effect?
Dichondra is a grass species with very small, cute, round leaves. It has relatively many and fairly complete functions and high cultivation value. Because the plant is low-growing, it can also be grown in pots at home.
Dichondra, also known as small moneywort, is a perennial creeping small herb. Its stems are slender, covered with gray short soft hairs, and root at the nodes. The leaves are kidney-shaped to round, 4-25 mm in diameter, with a broadly rounded or slightly notched apex and a broad heart-shaped base. The leaf surface is slightly hairy, and the underside is covered with appressed short soft hairs, with entire margins; the petiole is long, (1.5)3-5(6) cm. The flowers are solitary in the leaf axils, with the pedicel shorter than the petiole and thread-like; the sepals are obovate-oblong to spoon-shaped, obtuse, 2-3 mm long, with hairs on the back and margins; the corolla is bell-shaped, shorter than to slightly longer than the calyx, yellow, deeply 5-lobed, with the lobes oblong-lanceolate and hairless; there are 5 stamens, inserted at the sinuses between the 2 corolla lobes, with short filaments of equal length; the ovary is sparsely soft-hairy, 2-locular, with 4 ovules, and 2 styles with capitate stigmas. The capsule is nearly spherical, small, shorter than the calyx, about 1.5 mm in diameter, and membranous. There are 1-2 seeds, yellow to brown, hairless.
Dichondra Care: Light
When growing dichondra, light is very important. Dichondra needs an environment with sufficient light. Only with sufficient light and good ventilation will dichondra grow well with luxuriant branches and leaves, and only then will hanging-basket dichondra have a waterfall effect. It should be noted that dichondra needs appropriate shading in summer.
Dichondra Watering and Fertilizing
Watering is the key to good growth of dichondra. Dichondra is a plant with relatively fine, dense roots and is not very drought-tolerant, so the soil needs to be kept moist during cultivation. Generally, when growing dichondra, it is necessary to water reasonably and often spray water on the plants. Be careful not to let it lack water; lack of water will cause dichondra to drop leaves and have sparse branches and leaves, affecting its ornamental value. With sufficient moisture, hanging-basket dichondra will have dense branches and leaves.
Fertilizing is also a very important step. Dichondra prefers nitrogen fertilizer. With sufficient fertilizer, the branches and leaves will grow more luxuriantly, and it will be easier to create a hanging-basket dichondra with a waterfall effect. When growing dichondra, nitrogen fertilizer can be applied together with watering, but do not contaminate the leaves.
Dichondra Pruning
To grow hanging-basket dichondra into a waterfall effect, another very important point is pruning. Dichondra grows relatively fast, but during cultivation, proper pruning can make its branches and leaves more numerous and dense. Pruning can also promptly cut off leaves that affect the ornamental appearance and tidy up relatively messy growing branches. In this way, a beautiful waterfall can be shaped and its good form maintained.
Propagation and Cultivation
It can be propagated by sowing and by division.
Stem-section propagation. This method is generally commonly used for propagation. It mainly uses its creeping stems for propagation. First, apply base fertilizer to the selected nursery plot, water it, cultivate carefully and finely, and level it (or make beds and ridges). This can be done from March to September. Then transplant by division at a ratio of 1:8. When dividing, tear the turf into grass blocks about 5 cm x 5 cm with your hands, place them against the ground, cover with a little soil and press firmly, and water promptly. Generally, after about 2 months of growth, it can completely cover the ground. After the stem sections are planted and before the new grass blocks have completely covered the ground, weeds must be pulled out promptly, generally 2-3 times.
Propagation by sowing. Select a good nursery plot, apply base fertilizer and pesticide (furadan 2 kg/mu), then plow finely and harrow, and make beds and ridges. Sow at the right time; generally it can be done throughout the year from March to September, with March to May being best. Before sowing, first irrigate enough bottom water, then evenly scatter the selected seeds in the bed by broadcasting, cover with fine soil 1-1.5 cm, at a sowing rate of about 3 kg/mu. When 4-5 true leaves have grown, apply urea 5 kg/mu and diammonium phosphate 10 kg/mu as topdressing. This is also the period of rapid weed growth, so weeds must be removed promptly and pests and diseases controlled, which helps the dichondra lawn cover the ground early.
Cultivation Management
It likes nitrogen fertilizer. Usually, in combination with rain and watering, an appropriate amount of nitrogen fertilizer should be applied as topdressing. It is best to apply urea 3-5 kg/mu plus diammonium 5-10 kg/mu. After the turf has been cultivated for 2-3 years, because the rhizomes are densely packed together, it is easy to cause soil compaction that affects aeration and water infiltration. Depending on the situation, holes can be pierced, or a knife or shovel can be used to score lines to cut the grass roots, increasing soil looseness. At the same time, apply nitrogen fertilizer and water appropriately to restore the lawn's vitality.
Pest and Disease Control
Dichondra lawns have strong disease resistance, with only southern blight and a small amount of Phyllosticta leaf spot occurring. The above diseases mostly occur in the high-temperature, high-humidity season from July to August. Using pesticides such as chlorothalonil and carbendazim and spraying once every 7 to 10 days can effectively prevent and control the occurrence and development of the diseases.
The larvae of scarab beetles, such as white grubs, and the larvae of noctuid moths, such as armyworms and small cutworms, are the main pests of dichondra lawns. They must be observed and controlled promptly. During the adult emergence period, use the adults' phototaxis and chemotaxis with blacklight lamps, poison bait, and poison grass to trap and kill them, reducing their egg-laying. For white grubs, use a 50% phoxim 1000-fold solution and spray (or drench) the lawn in the evening; for armyworms and small cutworm larvae, use a 40% omethoate 1000-fold solution for spray control, especially repeating the spray once the next day after spraying, for the best effect.
Dichondra Efficacy and Effects
Efficacy: It clears heat and detoxifies, promotes urination, and invigorates blood.
This product is cool in nature and can clear heat and detoxify; pungent and dispersing, it can invigorate blood and remove stasis; bitter and descending, it enters the lungs and moves through the water pathways, giving it the function of promoting urination.
Clinical Application
1. Clearing heat and detoxifying, used for jaundice, dysentery, and boils and toxic swellings. It can be used alone or in compound formulas, taken internally or applied externally.
2. Promoting urination and treating strangury, used for urolithic strangury, white turbid urine, and edema. Used alone or in compound compatibility.
3. Invigorating blood, used for traumatic injuries from falls and blows. Fresh material can be stewed with yellow rice wine and taken, and the fresh material can be mashed and rubbed on the injured area.
Dichondra is a plant that can not only be used for laying lawns, but is also mostly used in China for small flower beds, flower borders, and rock gardens, and can also be used to arrange courtyard green spaces and small activity areas. In addition, many people now choose to grow dichondra in indoor pots, which is also a good way to beautify the home.