A Detailed Guide to Mint (Silver Dan Grass) Planting Methods, Market Prospects, and Benefits and Effects
Mint, commonly known locally as "Silver Dan Grass," is a plant in the Lamiaceae family and an aromatic crop with special economic value. Mint is one of the commonly used traditional Chinese medicines. Do you know what mint seed planting methods there are? What are its prospects? What are its benefits and effects? It is a pungent, cooling diaphoretic and antipyretic medicine, used to treat influenza, headache, red eyes, fever, sore throat, swollen and painful gums, and other conditions. Applied externally, it can treat neuralgia, skin itching, rashes, eczema, and other conditions. It is commonly used as a tea in place of mint, refreshing the mind and improving eyesight. In China, mint is mainly produced in the two provinces of Jiangsu and Anhui, which have the largest output.
I. Mint Planting Methods
1. Sprouting
(1) The requirement for sprouting mint seeds is to keep them moist without letting there be too much water. Therefore, under normal circumstances, if you only add a little water, it dries out quickly. Mint sprouting generally needs to be done under relatively high temperature conditions, and around 30 degrees is best.
(2) First prepare boiled water that has been cooled, with a water temperature of about 40 degrees, then pour in the mint seeds and let the mint seeds soak in it for 5 hours. The water temperature does not need to be kept constant; letting the water cool naturally is fine.
(3) After the mint seeds have finished soaking, start cutting a mineral water bottle, cutting out a section. The cut-out section is cylindrical, about 5 cm tall. Then stand the cylindrical section upright on a plate, place a sheet of facial tissue on top of the cylinder so that the tissue can hang down to the bottom of the plate, pour the mint seeds onto the tissue in the middle of the cylinder, and then cover with another layer of facial tissue. Then add water to the plate. The water will be absorbed upward by the tissue and keep the tissue moist, while due to gravity it will not make the tissue too wet.
Mint seeds sprouting
2. Sowing
(1) Sowing time: In the Yangtze River basin area of southern China, autumn and winter planting, that is, late October to late November, is suitable, while in the north, spring planting, that is, March to April, is suitable.
(2) Sowing methods:
Generally, for slightly larger seeds (such as lavender and sage), 2 to 3 seeds can be spot-sown in each container. After germination, keep one stronger seedling depending on how the seedlings are growing. For very small seeds (such as marjoram), they can be broadcast sown. Dip your hand in some seeds and gently scatter them over the soil. After germination, thin the seedlings. Keep 1 to 3 seedlings as appropriate.
The thickness of the soil covering the seeds depends on the size of the seeds. Generally it is 2 to 3 times the diameter of the seed. For very small seeds, the soil should be thinner, while larger seeds can be covered with thicker soil. Some seeds are strongly phototropic and do not need to be covered with soil (such as lemon balm and rosemary).
After sowing, water thoroughly. Use a fine watering can to water. Do not use force, so as not to wash the seeds away. It is best to use the bottom-watering method, that is, fill a large basin with water to 2/3 full and set the container into the basin. Let the water slowly seep in through the bottom holes of the container. (The water level in the large basin should not exceed the height of the soil in the container.) After sowing, cover the top of the container with plastic wrap, and prick a few small holes in the plastic wrap for ventilation. Place the container in sunlight and maintain a temperature of about 20 degrees. Most seeds can germinate after one week.
3. Management After Germination
After the seeds germinate, the plastic wrap can be removed. For small seeds, you can wait until the seedlings are a little stronger before removing it.
Mint seeds have germinated
4. Potting and Transplanting
After the seedlings grow 4 to 6 true leaves, they can be potted. At first, use small pots for potting. After the seedlings grow larger, replace them with larger pots as appropriate. When changing pots, wait until the soil is somewhat dry before changing (because after changing pots you need to water; if the soil is wet, then the moist period is too long, and the seedlings are prone to poor growth). First add more than half of a certain-fertility potting soil to the small pot. In order not to damage the root system, there is no need to shake off the soil near the roots when transplanting. Move it directly into the small pot, then fill the soil up to the roots. After transplanting, be sure to water thoroughly and provide shade for a few days. After that, it can be placed in sunlight for normal care.
II. What Are the Prospects for Planting Mint?
Analysis of Yield Per Mu and Economic Benefits (for everyone's reference only, not to be used as a basis for investment)
Mint can be harvested three times a year. The yield per mu is 200 kg. For whole mint plants, at full bloom, use a sickle to cut down the entire mint plant at the root, and it can be sold after drying in the sun. It can be harvested twice a year, with a yield per mu of 500 kg. Mint can be harvested 2 times a year. The yield per mu is 20 kg.
Output value per mu:
Leaves: 200Kg×10=2000 yuan; whole plants: 500Kg×3=1500 yuan; seed roots: 1000Kg×3=3000 yuan; total: 6500 yuan.
Cost accounting: seed stems: 60Kg×4=240 yuan; fertilizer: 50Kg×2=100 yuan; mechanical plowing: 20 yuan;
Labor: 60 yuan; pesticides: 10 yuan. Total: 430 yuan.
Net profit: 6500—430=6070 yuan.
III. What Benefits and Effects Are There?
1. Edible Uses
Mint has both medicinal and edible functions. The main edible parts are the stems and leaves, and it can also be juiced and consumed. In terms of food use, mint can be used as a seasoning, as a spice, and can also be paired with alcohol, brewed as tea, and so on. Every 100 grams of dried mint contains 9.6 grams of water, 6.8 grams of protein, and 31.1 grams of fiber, and can provide 870.7 kilojoules of heat.
Mint foods
For example: mint porridge, effects: refreshes the spirit, disperses wind and clears heat, increases appetite, and helps digestion.
Mint tofu, effects: can treat colds with nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, and other conditions.
Mint chicken shreds, effects: clears internal heat and relieves summer heat.
Mint cake, effects: cooling, disperses wind and clears heat, soothes the throat and benefits the voice.
Fresh mint crucian carp soup, effects: can treat chronic cough in children.
Mint soup, effects: detoxifies and reduces internal heat.
Mint herbal tea, after drinking it the whole body feels comfortable and energy is greatly increased.
In addition, mint stems and leaves have a special fragrance and can be used to make chewing gum, toothpaste, and so on, producing cooling, refreshing, and heat-clearing effects.
In addition, mint can be used to make honey; its honey is dark in color, appearing deep amber, and has a strong distinctive mint aroma.
2. Medicinal Effects
Mint is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine. The young tender stem tips can be eaten as a vegetable, and the whole plant can also be used as medicine to treat colds, fever, sore throat, headache, eye redness and pain, muscle pain, skin rubella itching, incomplete measles rash, and other conditions. In addition, it is also effective for carbuncles, deep-rooted sores, scabies, ringworm, and lacquer dermatitis.
Mint contains menthol, a substance that can freshen breath and has multiple medicinal properties. It can relieve abdominal pain and gallbladder problems such as spasms, and also has effects such as antiseptic and bactericidal action, diuresis, phlegm reduction, stomach strengthening, and aiding digestion. Consuming a large amount of mint can cause insomnia, but consuming it in small doses helps with sleep.