Detailed Explanation of Galangal Cultivation Techniques: Planting Methods and Management Key Points
Galangal is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb in China. Galangal has a certain antibacterial effect, can inhibit coagulation, and has an analgesic effect, so it is mainly used for pain relief. Moreover, galangal is also a very good ingredient and is very popular in China. It is mainly distributed in the Guangdong-Guangxi region, but due to its nutritional value, galangal has also been planted on a certain scale in China. So how should galangal be planted? Below, the editor brings you the cultivation techniques for galangal. Let's take a look together!
1. Land preparation and fertilization
Galangal is not suitable for growing in water-deficient, drought-prone, low-lying, uneven, and heavy clay soils, nor is it suitable for continuous cropping. Therefore, we first need to choose a sufficiently loose, well-aerated, and fertile sandy soil for planting. Then, in winter and spring, plow the land deeply to about 28 cm, and apply sufficient base fertilizer, mainly decomposed farmyard manure, with the amount controlled at about 3000 kg/mu. Then shallow hoe to fully mix the fertilizer with the soil. The depth of the base fertilizer should not exceed 20 cm to prevent the fertilizer from losing its effectiveness, and then make beds ready for planting.
2. Timely sowing
The seed collection time for galangal is generally around late autumn each year. Choose plump seeds free of pests, diseases, and wounds to ensure seed germination capacity. In addition, galangal seeds do not store well, so it is best to sow them as soon as they are collected. Before sowing, soak the seeds to promote germination and disinfect them. Then prepare a seedling bed. The preparation method is similar to that of the field for planting, with row spacing controlled at about 10 cm for furrow sowing. Then evenly scatter the seeds into the sowing furrows. After sowing, cover with soil and grass. Under normal management, they will germinate in about 3 weeks, and then transplant at the appropriate time according to the growth of the seedlings.
3. Intertillage and weeding
After the seedlings have successfully emerged uniformly, weeding is needed about every 3 weeks, because galangal seedlings have limited growth capacity and weak nutrient absorption, so weeds must be prevented from competing for the nutrients needed for galangal growth. When weeding, pay attention to the strength to avoid damaging the seedling roots, affecting root nutrient absorption, and hindering galangal growth. Then in winter, after the aboveground part of galangal gradually withers, cut off the withered parts about 6 cm above the ground. Then earth up about 4 cm to cover the buds and prevent galangal from being threatened by frost damage.
4. Water and fertilizer management
Galangal does not have a high demand for water, but it should still be watered reasonably according to soil moisture and rainy season changes. Pay attention to the amount of watering to prevent excessive water from causing root rot in galangal and triggering diseases such as root rot that affect galangal growth. During the growing period, galangal has a relatively large demand for nutrients, so after each weeding, topdressing is needed once. Before winter, sufficient overwintering fertilizer should be applied together with the earthing-up work to enhance the plant's cold resistance and prevent frost damage. Then after spring begins, apply diluted manure water as topdressing to restore the vitality of the seedlings. Finally, before the rows close, mix plant ash with superphosphate and apply it at the base of the plants to promote root expansion in galangal. As the growing years of galangal increase, the number and amount of topdressing can be gradually reduced.
The above is a brief introduction to galangal cultivation techniques. It should also be noted that after the seedlings wither in winter, the furrows should be earthed up deeply to prevent rhizome rot. Then around April of the second year, clean them up again to prevent rainwater accumulation in the rainy season from affecting galangal growth. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only. Friends who want to learn more related information, please continue to follow us!