How to grow Glechoma longituba? A detailed guide to planting techniques and management key points
Glechoma longituba, also known as Huoxuedan, Jinqiancao, and Luodi Jinqian, is an inconspicuous wild grass in appearance. You might not give it a second glance when it grows in the wild, but it is actually a medicinal herb. The whole plant can be used as medicine, and it has the effects of promoting diuresis and treating strangury, clearing heat and detoxifying, and dispersing blood stasis and reducing swelling. So how should Glechoma longituba be planted? Let's take a look.
1. Site selection and land preparation
Glechoma longituba prefers shady and moist environments and mainly grows in fields, forest edges, roadsides, and among trees. It is not demanding about soil and can be planted in general soil, but sandy loam that is loose, fertile, and well-drained is best. Choose a fertile, loose, shady, and moist plot, or you can also choose scattered cultivation in shady and moist spots along pond dams and ditches or around houses. After selecting the site, plow the soil and apply 2500-3000 kg of decomposed organic fertilizer per mu. After raking it fine and leveling it, make beds.
2. Propagation methods
Glechoma longituba can be propagated by seeds and cuttings, but because its seeds are very small and not easy to collect, and the seedlings grow slowly with a long cycle, seed propagation is rarely used in production. Generally, cuttings are used for propagation. From March to April each year, cut off the creeping stems of Glechoma longituba, making each 3-4 nodes into one cutting. Then open furrows on the bed surface at a row spacing of 20 cm, with a furrow depth of 6-8 cm. Insert the cuttings into the furrows at a plant spacing of 10 cm, with 2-3 nodes buried in the soil, then cover with soil, press firm, and water.
3. Field management
After cutting, Glechoma longituba should be watered frequently to keep the soil moist and promote rooting and survival of the cuttings. When the cuttings grow new leaves, apply dilute human and livestock manure water in time, preferably 1500-2000 kg per mu. When the stems and vines of the seedlings grow to 15 cm, apply human and livestock manure water again, 2000-2500 kg per mu. If missing plants appear, replant in time to avoid gaps and missing seedlings. After each harvest, topdressing should also be carried out to ensure high and stable yields. In addition, intertillage and weeding should be carried out every year to promote root growth of the plants.
4. Pest and disease control
Glechoma longituba rarely suffers from diseases during cultivation. It is generally harmed by pests such as slugs and snails, which bite and eat stems and leaves and can cause plant death in severe cases. It can be controlled by drenching the roots with trichlorfon solution, or by broadcasting metaldehyde granules on the soil to kill them, with good results.
The above is an introduction to the planting techniques for Glechoma longituba. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.