Three key steps for storing Gastrodia elata properly

Recently, I have received letters from many farmer friends asking how to store Gastrodia elata seed tubers. During the production of Gastrodia elata, seed rot often occurs, causing losses. In my opinion, three key steps should be taken when storing Gastrodia elata.

First, the harvest step. Gastrodia elata is dug in spring and winter. When digging Gastrodia elata in winter, select fresh, pest-free, undamaged small tubers, air-dry them for 1-2 days to remove part of the moisture, and then store them together for use as seed the following year.

Second, the temperature step. Place the partially air-dried Gastrodia elata seed tubers in layers in a brick pond, a large earthen basin or a wooden box. Cover each layer with moist sandy soil. First spread yellow sand on the bottom, then cover each layer of Gastrodia elata with a layer of sandy soil. The storage temperature should be kept between 2-5°C to prevent the seed tubers from rotting due to excessive temperature fluctuations.

Third, the humidity step. During storage, check regularly. If the seed tubers become spotted or moldy, reduce the water content of the sandy soil in time and pick out the rotten tubers. If the seed tubers become shriveled or wrinkled, mix the sandy soil with a little hot water.