Why is intercropping tree peony root bark with Gastrodia elata so profitable?
Tree peony root bark (the root bark of the tree peony) and Gastrodia elata are both precious Chinese medicinal herbs. Intercropping Gastrodia elata in tree peony root bark fields is a new high-yield, high-efficiency cultivation model that is worth promoting to herb growers in Chinese medicinal herb growing regions everywhere. The most notable features of intercropping Gastrodia elata in tree peony root bark fields are: first, it makes full use of the land; second, the two are complementary; third, it eliminates the trouble of having to weed the tree peony root bark field frequently. The cultivation method is described below:
1. Planting tree peonies
1. Site selection: The tree peony field for intercropping Gastrodia elata requires fertile, deep soil, and a slight slope is best.
2. Seedling selection: Large seedlings are best. After planting, large seedlings sprout quickly and the plants are robust. One year after planting, the leaves of the plants will cover the space between the rows, providing the necessary shade conditions for cultivating Gastrodia elata. The best variety is the white tree peony, because the white tree peony is taller than the red tree peony and its leaves are longer.
3. Planting: Flat planting gives the best results. On the prepared plot, first dig the planting holes. The length of the hole depends on the length of the seedling, the width should preferably be 25 cm, and the hole depth is 15 cm. Place the seedlings flat in the hole. Put 2 seedlings in each hole, with a spacing of 20 cm between seedlings, then press the seedling roots firmly with moist fertile soil, and fill the hole level with fine fertile soil. When filling with soil, leave 2-3 buds exposed to facilitate sprouting. After planting, water thoroughly to settle the roots, and cover with crop straw or leaves to preserve moisture. Once the ground warms up, the covering can be removed. With this cultivation method, the survival rate is generally above 95%. At the same time, when planting, it is best to choose a north-south orientation for the rows. The usual row spacing is 80 cm and the plant spacing is 50 cm. The best planting time is from after leaf fall in autumn to early spring of the following year.
2. Intercropping Gastrodia elata
1. Intercropping time: Intercropping Gastrodia elata in tree peony root bark fields should be carried out from late autumn after the tree peonies drop their leaves to early spring of the following year. This is both the dormant period of the tree peonies and the harvest period and best planting period for Gastrodia elata.
2. Intercropping method: The tree peony root bark plot for intercropping Gastrodia elata should be one where tree peonies have been planted for more than 1 year. First prepare the Armillaria fungus wood and Gastrodia elata seeds, and also prepare enough leaves to use as filler and cover material. Then plant according to the conventional Gastrodia elata planting method. When planting, first spread a layer of leaves between the rows of the tree peony field, preferably 5-10 cm thick, then place the Armillaria fungus wood on the leaves, arranging the fungus wood in a "" shape, and according to the length of the fungus wood, place 1 seed every 8-10 cm, with the seeds close to the fish-scale openings, then fill the gaps between the fungus wood with leaves and cover them with leaves to a thickness of 20 cm. Depending on the shading provided by the tree peony leaves, cover the top with broadleaf tree branches and press them down, and water once so that the covering leaves fit closely together. Generally, only one layer can be planted. Note that when covering with leaves, the tree peony plants must not be covered.
3. Strengthen management and protection: Once Gastrodia elata is planted, the surrounding area of the intercropped plot should be protected to prevent livestock and poultry from entering and damaging it. In seasons with little rain and high temperatures, water appropriately to resist drought and lower the temperature. After the Gastrodia elata harvest in late autumn, the rotted leaves from the Gastrodia elata cultivation can be piled around the base of the tree peony plants. In this way, intercropping can continue for 3-4 years, until the tree peony root bark is dug up and processed.