Detailed Explanation of the Cultivation Techniques and Management Key Points of Elephantopus scaber
Elephantopus scaber is a herbaceous plant of the genus Elephantopus in the Asteraceae family, also known as caoxiegen, caoxiedi, and didantou. The whole plant can be used as medicine, with the effects of clearing heat, cooling blood, detoxifying, and removing dampness, and it is often used for colds, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, jaundice, eczema, and so on. So how should Elephantopus scaber be cultivated? Come and take a look with the editor.
1. Land selection and land preparation
Elephantopus scaber is a wild plant with strong adaptability to the environment and no strict requirements for soil, but for the sake of yield and returns, it is best to choose a plot with good drainage, deep soil layers, and loose, fertile soil for planting. When reclaiming land for planting on hillsides and forest edges, the land should be plowed and prepared in the winter of the year before planting, stones and weed residues in the field should be cleared, and according to the soil fertility status, an appropriate amount of some farmyard manure should be applied as base fertilizer. The same applies to understory planting or intercropping in orchards.
2. Propagation methods
The propagation methods of Elephantopus scaber include raising seedlings and transplanting, direct seeding, root division propagation, and cutting propagation. In production, the methods of raising seedlings and transplanting or direct seeding are generally used. Before sowing for seedling raising and transplanting, the seeds should first be sun-dried or pre-germinated, then broadcast on the seedbed, generally at 1.5-2 kg per mu, and covered with a thin layer of soil. After emergence, do a good job in seedling-stage management. When the seedlings grow to 5 leaves, they can be transplanted. When transplanting, water them first before lifting the seedlings to avoid damage to the root system, then open holes in the planting field and plant them. Direct seeding is suitable for pure cropping or intercropping in orchards and under forests. Open holes on the ground at a plant spacing and row spacing of 20 cm × 15 cm, sow 6-8 seeds per hole, cover with a layer of fertilized soil after sowing, water to keep the soil moist, and after emergence, thin and finalize the seedlings in time.
3. Field management
For seedling raising and transplanting, after 7-10 days of survival, inspect the field in time, pull out plants that have not survived, and replant in time. The same applies to thinning for direct seeding. Half a month after replanting, carry out intertillage and weeding in time to promote seedling growth. In combination with intertillage and weeding, apply 500-600 kg per mu of decomposed human manure and urine to accelerate seedling growth. Afterward, according to the growth status of the seedlings and the growth status of weeds, carry out timely intertillage and weeding. If the weed damage is severe, topdress in time after weeding to avoid poor plant growth that affects yield and quality. In the later stage, in order to save nutrients, for plantings not kept for seed, remove the flower buds in time when budding in August, concentrate nutrients to supply rhizome growth, promote rhizome yield, and increase returns.
The above is an introduction to the cultivation techniques of Elephantopus scaber. I hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please follow us.