Detailed Explanation of Ophiopogon japonicus Planting Methods and Technical Points
Ophiopogon japonicus is a perennial herbaceous plant of the lily family (Liliaceae) and also a traditional Chinese medicinal herb with high medicinal value. Its main medicinal part is the tuberous root of the plant, which has effects such as promoting fluid production and moistening the lungs, quenching thirst and relieving cough. It has a wide planting area in southern China, and its planting area is now continuously expanding. So how exactly should Ophiopogon japonicus be planted? Below, the editor brings you the planting techniques for Ophiopogon japonicus. Let's take a look!
1. Land Selection and Preparation
For planting Ophiopogon japonicus, choose soft, fertile sandy soil with normal drainage and irrigation. The previous crop in the soil must not be Ophiopogon japonicus, and continuous cropping is prohibited. After harvesting the previous crop, do a good job of land preparation by deeply plowing the soil about 22 cm, and repeatedly plowing and harrowing to ensure the soil is sufficiently soft and level. If the soil area is large and uneven with pits and hollows, then build soil ridges to facilitate later management and drainage/irrigation. During land preparation, also apply sufficient base fertilizer. The base fertilizer is mainly decomposed farmyard manure, which should be fully mixed with the soil to improve soil fertility. Finally, make beds in preparation for planting.
2. Planting and Seedling Raising
The main planting method for Ophiopogon japonicus is division. In early April each year, select healthy plants with bright color and no pests or diseases. Cut off the tuberous roots and surrounding fibrous roots from the plant to make them into independent plants. Then cut the tuberous root stem base to the position where the white part appears at the root, and they can be planted promptly. When planting, pay attention to the weather; it is not suitable to plant on rainy days. Control the row and plant spacing well, and dig planting furrows about 5 cm deep. Then apply fertilizer in the planting furrows before planting. After planting, cover with fine soil and press and firm it to prevent seedlings from lodging.
3. Field Management
Ophiopogon japonicus likes to grow in a cool and moist environment, and the planting spacing is relatively large, so appropriate intercropping can be done. Generally, in seasons such as spring and autumn, crops with relatively low nutrient requirements such as corn are planted. However, in winter and spring, because this is the growth and development period of its tuberous roots, intercropping should not be done at this time to prevent nutrient deficiency that could lead to reduced yield of Ophiopogon japonicus. Then, during the planting process, also do a good job of cultivating and weeding. After about two weeks, begin weeding with shallow hoeing of about 3 cm. June to September is the peak growth period for weeds, so during this time weeding must be done once every month to prevent weeds from competing for the nutrients needed for the growth of Ophiopogon japonicus.
4. Water and Fertilizer Management
Ophiopogon japonicus has a relatively high demand for nutrients, so during the entire growth period of Ophiopogon japonicus, fertilizer should be applied at least 3 times. However, the specifics should also depend on the planting region, variety, and the actual growth conditions of Ophiopogon japonicus. But the fertilizers are mostly decomposed human and livestock manure water as the main component, supplemented by compound fertilizers such as superphosphate. Then in high-temperature seasons such as summer, the water evaporation rate of Ophiopogon japonicus speeds up, and at this time it should be watered promptly. If the soil is too dry, water frequently, especially in winter and spring, to meet the water needs for tuberous root growth. However, water should not be excessive either. When watering too much or encountering the rainy season, also pay attention to drainage work to prevent pests and diseases and reduce yield.
The above is a brief introduction to how to plant Ophiopogon japonicus. When planting, we should also pay attention to pest and disease prevention and control. Avoid serious damage to Ophiopogon japonicus from pests and diseases, which can hinder growth and reduce the economic benefits of planting. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only. Thank you for your reading and support.