Plume Poppy Planting Techniques and Management Methods
Plume poppy (Macleaya cordata) is a perennial herbaceous plant. The whole plant can be used as medicine, and it can treat bruises, arthritis, tinea versicolor, malignant sores and other conditions, with effects of anesthesia, pain relief and reducing swelling. So how should it be planted? Come and take a look with the editor.
1. Site Selection and Land Preparation
Plume poppy has strong vitality. It prefers warm and humid environments, is cold-tolerant and drought-tolerant, has strong adaptability to the environment, and has low requirements for soil. It can grow in full sunlight and semi-shade. However, when planting, for the sake of yield and quality, it is best to choose well-drained, organic matter-rich humus soil or sandy loam soil. When preparing the land, clear the weeds and residual plant debris from the ground, apply decomposed farmyard manure as base fertilizer, dig drainage ditches to facilitate later drainage, and wait for sowing.
2. Sowing
Plume poppy is propagated by seeds. The suitable sowing time is generally from February to April in spring or from July to September in autumn. During these two periods, the seed germination rate of plume poppy is high and the growth is best. Before sowing, soak the seeds in water for 10-12 hours. For sowing, mix them evenly with fine soil and plant ash, then open furrows on the ground at a row spacing of 40-50 cm, evenly scatter the seeds into the furrows, cover with soil and press lightly, and water to keep the soil moist. Seedlings will emerge in 15 days. Generally, 0.3-0.4 kg of seed is used per mu.
3. Field Management
After the seedlings are fully established, thin them in combination with weeding. Thinning should be carried out twice, controlling the plant spacing at 40-45 cm, removing diseased, disabled, pest-infested and diseased seedlings, and keeping strong seedlings. Surplus seedlings can be transplanted elsewhere. Young seedlings need more water in the early growth stage, so water timely and appropriately according to the dry and wet condition of the soil to ensure the root system forms as soon as possible and promote seedling growth. In addition, cultivation can be carried out in combination with weeding to loosen the soil and promote root development. When the seedlings grow to 30 cm, apply an appropriate amount of topdressing according to the growth condition, mainly phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, to improve the plant's disease resistance. During the rainy season, pay attention to water accumulation to avoid inducing pests and diseases or causing root rot.
4. Pest and Disease Control
Plume poppy is mainly harmed on the leaves by leaf spot disease. When the disease occurs, round or nearly round lesions appear on the leaves, later turning grayish brown, and small black spots grow on the lesions, namely the pathogenic fungus's pycnidia, which spread by rain and wind. For control, do a good job of winter garden clearing, burn diseased and residual plants in a centralized manner, and spray chlorothalonil or carbendazim solution before and after the disease occurs. For insect pests, aphids harm the seedlings and can be controlled with dimethoate emulsion, once every week, for 2-3 consecutive times, with good results.
The above introduction to plume poppy planting techniques is hoped to help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.