Detailed Guide to Dried Ginger Cultivation Techniques: Planting Methods and Management Points
Dried ginger is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine; it is actually the dried product of the ginger we commonly use as a seasoning in daily life, and it has the effects of warming the middle and dispelling cold, restoring yang and unblocking the meridians, and drying dampness and resolving phlegm. In China it is both a food ingredient and a traditional Chinese medicinal material, with an extremely long history of use and cultivation. Let us take a look together at the cultivation techniques for dried ginger below.
1. Site Selection and Land Preparation
Dried ginger is suitable for planting in sandy loam soil on slightly sloping terrain with ample sunlight and good drainage. It is best planted in wasteland; alluvial land by rivers and streams, low-lying land, and heavy clay land are not suitable for planting. In addition, it should not be planted continuously; it is best to leave an interval of 1-2 years. The planting site should undergo intensive cultivation: first plow the ground deep to 30-40 cm. Apply base fertilizer, harrow fine and level, and it is best to make drainage ditches, then wait for sowing.
2. Planting
At the Start of Winter in the previous year, select strong seedlings free of pests and diseases with plump rhizomes as seed stock, place the seed stems in a cellar for storage, and before planting subject them to sprouting treatment to increase the germination rate. The sowing time is generally around Qingming, and at the latest should not exceed Lixia. When planting, cut the sprouted seed ginger into small pieces, and each small piece must carry one bud eye. Dig holes in the ground 10-15 cm deep; the bottom of the hole should be flat. Too shallow and the soil dries out easily, which is unfavorable for growth; too deep and it is not easy for seedlings to emerge. For plant and row spacing, use 40×60 cm for both; place one small piece in each hole with the bud eye facing up, and cover with decomposed farmyard manure mixed with soil.
3. Field Management
When rainwater is abundant, if planting in wasteland, a large amount of weeds are very likely to grow, so weeds must be removed frequently. After the seedlings emerge uniformly, the first intertillage can begin: first clear away the weeds completely, then shallowly hoe the soil to a depth of 3 cm; it should not be too deep, so as to avoid damaging the seedling roots. When the seedlings have grown 3-4 leaves, the first fertilization can be carried out, applying 750-1000 kg of manure and livestock fertilizer per mu. The second fertilization is in summer, which is the peak growth season for dried ginger, applying 1500-2000 kg of livestock fertilizer per mu. After the rainy season, pay attention to field humidity to prevent waterlogging from causing rhizome rot, and drain promptly; during drought, some manure water can be poured to keep the soil moist.
4. Pests and Diseases
Dried ginger has relatively few diseases. During the seedling stage, cutworms and mole crickets cause damage, biting the ginger buds so that seedlings cannot emerge normally, or biting off the seedlings at the seedling stage, causing empty hills and dead seedlings and relatively serious losses. Manual capture is generally used for prevention and control.
The above is an introduction to dried ginger cultivation techniques. I hope it can help you. After the ginger is harvested, slice it and roast it, and dried ginger is then produced.