Detailed Explanation of Asparagus Fern Planting Techniques and Management Methods
Asparagus fern is the tuberous root of Asparagus cochinchinensis, one of the commonly used traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, with high medicinal value. It has the effects of nourishing yin and clearing heat, moistening the lungs and nourishing the kidneys, and has excellent antibacterial properties. Long-term consumption can improve the human body's immunity. So how should asparagus fern be planted? Let's take a look together.
1. Site Selection and Land Preparation
It generally grows at the edges of mountain forests, in grass thickets or shrub thickets. When planting, it is best to choose cultivation under forest, or you can choose farmland cultivation, intercropping with tall crops such as corn. Before planting, deep plow the soil 30 cm, remove weeds and residual plants, apply 2500-3500 kg of decomposed barnyard manure per mu, shape and rake level, then make raised beds and wait for planting.
2. Propagation Methods
There are two propagation methods: seeds and division of clumps. Seed propagation can be done in spring or autumn. Open furrows on the bed surface at a row spacing of 20-40 cm, sow the seeds evenly into the furrows, generally using 10-12 kg of seeds per mu. After sowing, cover with compost or plant ash, cover with soil level with the bed surface, then cover with a layer of rice straw to keep warm and moist. Under suitable temperature and humidity conditions, seedlings will emerge in about 20 days. After emergence, promptly remove the covering straw, and after one year of cultivation, they can be transplanted. When harvesting, select mother plants with large root heads and thick strong buds, divide them into several plants, requiring each section to have more than three bud eyes, smear the wounds with plant ash, and place them in a cool and ventilated place to dry for one day before planting.
3. Field Management
After transplanting, promptly carry out intertillage and weeding to ensure no weeds in the field. Each intertillage should not be too deep, so as not to damage the root system and tubers and affect plant growth. When the stems and vines of the plant grow to 50 cm, promptly set up supports for the vines to twine and grow, facilitating management and stem and leaf growth. After the soil thaws each spring, apply 2500-3000 kg of barnyard manure per mu as a topdressing, applied together with loosening the soil, mixing it evenly with the soil. In summer, apply one topdressing of thin manure water.
4. Pests and Diseases
Asparagus fern has very few diseases; when disease occurs, conventional methods can be used for control. The main pest is red spider mites, generally breaking out in June, mainly harming the leaves of the plant, and in severe cases causing the leaves to wither and fall off, affecting the normal growth of the plant. In winter, pay attention to cleaning the garden, burning or deeply burying residual branches and fallen leaves in a centralized manner to reduce pest sources. When the pest occurs, spray lime sulfur mixture for control, once a week, with good results.
The above is an introduction to asparagus fern planting techniques. We hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.