Key Points to Note for High-Yield Cultivation of Gastrodia elata

With the implementation of the national Western Development Strategy, a modern traditional Chinese medicine industry has been established accordingly. Guizhou is located in the western region, and its soil, climate, vegetation and other environmental conditions are suitable for the growth of Gastrodia elata. From 2001-2003, introduction, cultivation and trial demonstrations were carried out in Luochang Township and Yongyi Township of Yinjiang County. Based on the trial conditions and existing problems, five main points that should be noted for high-yield cultivation are now proposed.

1. Production requirements for Gastrodia elata seed. Select high-quality wild "jianma" from Fanjing, sow in mid-to-late February, plant indoors at a spacing of 25×25 cm in boxes filled with disinfected river sand and mud (box specifications: 4 m long, 1 m wide, 0.2 m thick, built with bricks). After 30 days of dormancy, they emerge from the soil after 20 days, grow stems and moss, bud and flower. From 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, carry out cross-pollination between different plants and different flowers according to the operating procedure. After the seeds mature, they should be immediately sown with germination-inducing fungus (because Gastrodia elata seeds have no endosperm for storing nutrients). Sow 10 capsules per 0.5 kg of germination-inducing fungus.

2. Selection of production zone. Choose slightly acidic soil zones at an altitude between 850-1800 m.

3. Technique for making fungal wood. From late August to mid-September, use broadleaf tree wood or corn cobs, cut into lengths of 50-60 cm, cut a fish-scale notch every 3-5 cm, deep enough to reach the wood, cut two rows, sun-dry for 2 days, then build beds (60 cm deep, 100 cm wide, 200 cm long). Loosen the bed bottom and spread about 5 cm of sandy loam soil (to make it loose, breathable and well-draining), then lay the wood flat (fish scales facing up or to the side), sow high-quality Armillaria mellea purchased for production at the fish-scale notches, fill the gaps with humus soil, cover with 2-3 cm of fine humus soil. In the same way, lay a second layer, a third layer, and an upper layer, then cover with 10 cm of humus soil, then cover with wood chips or leaves to retain warmth, and make drainage ditches and ridges.

4. Specific cultivation key points for Gastrodia elata

1. Timely planting. This is one of the keys to increasing yield. Planting during the dormancy period (November to February of the following year) is appropriate and gives the highest yield. Note: (1) Do not plant below 0°C. (2) Accurately grasp the optimal period of Gastrodia elata dormancy and Armillaria mellea growth, so that after Gastrodia elata awakens it can obtain nutrients from Armillaria mellea.

2. Selection of seed tubers and seeding rate. Must select sexual Gastrodia elata seeds that are fresh, free from pests, diseases and wounds, zero-generation or 1-2 generation high-quality white tubers (baima) or small tubers (mima) as seeds. The seeding rate requires about 500 g of large white tubers per square meter (or 300 g of small white tubers, or about 200 g of mima).

3. Amount of fungal wood used. 20-30 kg per square meter (single layer).

4. Land preparation and box cultivation. High boxes on flat land, low boxes on sloped land, specifications 1000×1000×20 cm. After building, spread 3 cm of sandy loam soil, then place the cultivated fungal sticks and wood in a 1:1 ratio, arranged in parallel at 5-18 cm spacing (Note: large mima 15-18 cm, medium mima 10-15 cm, mima 5-8 cm). Place humus-rich broadleaf branches on top, fill half the trench with filling material, then place the seed tubers against the fungal sticks (this helps Gastrodia elata connect with Armillaria mellea in time) and place them in the same direction (Gastrodia elata growth always extends forward in a fan shape into the growing space). After placing, use humus soil as filling material, cover with 10-15 cm, cover with dead branches and fallen leaves or grass, then tidy the edge ditches.

Precautions: (1) Do not use lime for disinfection, as it increases soil alkalinity and inhibits the growth of Armillaria mellea. (2) The cultivation site must not be continuously cropped; the cultivation site should be rotated (the secretions of Armillaria mellea will inhibit the growth of Gastrodia elata, and excessive miscellaneous fungi will cause Gastrodia elata to become infected and deteriorate). (3) Do not apply any hormones (chemical fertilizers, sugars) or other pesticides. For insect damage, use mechanical capture, which is beneficial to the requirements of modern traditional Chinese medicine development.

5. Harvesting and processing. Harvesting Gastrodia elata during the dormancy period gives high medicinal efficacy. For sexual reproduction, harvest at the end of October of the second year. Handle gently to avoid bruising the tubers, which would cause rot after planting. Pack seeds and commercial tubers separately. Mima and baima can be sown immediately or stored and sown in late February of the following spring. Jianma should be graded for processing. During processing, keep the size uniform, wash with clean water, and dry in a drying box at 70-80°C. Never use sulfur fumigation on fresh tubers, as this affects the gastrodin content and quality.