Cultivation Techniques and Management Methods for Pinellia ternata

Climate and Soil: It prefers a warm, moist environment, is afraid of strong light, and is not drought-tolerant. Its shade tolerance is very strong, and the overwintering tubers can withstand low temperatures. It is best to plant it in fertile, loose, relatively moist sandy loam.

Land Preparation: Turn the soil in winter, and after applying base fertilizer in spring, form beds; the beds should be narrow and level. It can also be intercropped under mulberry orchards, fruit orchards, or tall crops.

Planting (1) Asexual propagation: In March, plant the tubers selected for seed during the previous year's harvest in double-row furrows, with a wide-row spacing of 30 cm, a narrow-row spacing of 10 cm, and a plant spacing of 5 cm. The buds should face upward, and they should not be planted too deep; cover with about 3 cm of soil. (2) Sexual propagation: When the spathe withers, collect the seeds and store them mixed with moist sand. In the following spring, sow them in rows with a row spacing of 10-12 cm. In autumn, dig them up for field planting, or let them grow until the third year before harvesting.

Field Management: Pinellia ternata likes fertilizer, so the amount of base fertilizer applied should be large. Topdressing is mainly carried out in the middle stage of growth to promote tuber development and enlargement. In the early stage, apply 10-15 kg of ammonium sulfate per mu; in the middle stage, apply decomposed bran cake fertilizer and manure; in the late stage, generally no fertilizer is needed. In the middle stage of production, pay attention to weeding and earthing up. When bolting and flowering occur, remove the flower buds to promote the growth of underground tubers.

Pest and Disease Control: Diseases include rhizome rot, so excess water should be drained, and a powder of lime and copper sulfate in a 100:2 ratio should be spread over the planting site. Pests include green caterpillars, which can be controlled with trichlorfon.