What conditions are needed for growing Amomum villosum?
Many people may not have heard of Amomum villosum. Also known as lesser cardamom, it is a seasoning and a medicinal herb, and it is extremely popular in some regions. It is also cultivated artificially in various regions of China. Its growing benefits are good, and many people want to grow it, but it has certain requirements for the growing environment. Let us take a look at the growing conditions for Amomum villosum below.
1. Temperature requirements
Amomum villosum is a typical tropical and subtropical rainforest plant. It prefers a warm and cool environment, and temperature has a great influence on its growth and flower bud differentiation. It is suitable for growing at an annual average temperature between 22-28 degrees, grows slowly between 14-19 degrees, and can tolerate low temperatures of around 0 degrees for a short time. In winter, the monthly average temperature is required to be above 12 degrees, otherwise its flower buds will not sprout. The higher the temperature, the faster its flower bud differentiation, and it can also bloom earlier and increase yield. The temperature during the flowering period should be above 22 degrees and below 30 degrees; too high or too low will affect flowering.
2. Water requirements
Amomum villosum prefers a humid environment and is afraid of drought and waterlogging. It is suitable for planting in areas with annual rainfall above 1000 mm, and the highest yield is achieved at 1400 mm of rainfall. It is suitable for growing at a relative humidity above 80%, but if the soil moisture is too high, it will affect root respiration and very easily cause root rot. During the flowering period, the humidity requirements are extremely high. The air humidity is required to reach above 80%, and the soil moisture content should be 35% in the branches, so as to ensure flower opening and stigma vitality, which is beneficial to pollination.
3. Light requirements
Amomum villosum is a shade plant and needs a low-light environment during growth. It avoids strong light and direct sun exposure. During the seedling stage, it needs a certain amount of light, but strong light will cause young trees to wilt, so shading should be done well. A shade level of 70%-80% is appropriate. If the shade level exceeds 80%, the plants grow thin and weak, and tillering decreases. However, if the shade level is lower than 30%, under strong light and direct sun exposure, the plants become stunted, the leaves turn yellow and withered, and they are also prone to freezing damage in winter.
4. Soil requirements
Amomum villosum is a perennial plant. It consumes a large amount of nutrients every year, and it also has creeping stems densely covering the ground, so it is inconvenient to loosen the soil during planting. In addition, its root system is relatively shallow and it is afraid of drought. Therefore, the soil requirements are relatively strict. It is advisable to choose sandy loam soil with deep soil layers, loose and fertile texture, rich humus, and strong water and fertilizer retention for planting. Although sandy soil and clay soil can also be used for planting, fertilization work should be done well before planting. Fertilization should be mainly organic fertilizer, with an appropriate combination of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium fertilizers and trace elements.
The above is an introduction to the growing conditions of Amomum villosum. I hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please follow us.