How much does blackberry lily (Iris domestica) cost per jin? A detailed guide to planting methods and medicinal effects
Blackberry lily is a perennial herb. It is distributed across tropical, subtropical and temperate regions worldwide, with its distribution centre in southern Africa and tropical America. It is produced in Jilin, Liaoning, Hebei, Shanxi, Shandong and other parts of China. So, how much does blackberry lily cost per jin? How is it planted? What effects and actions does it have? It is understood that the current market price for ordinary grade Hebei blackberry lily is 40-42 yuan, and the price for ordinary grade Sichuan blackberry lily is 17-18 yuan. Prices vary from region to region.
How is blackberry lily planted?
1. Site selection and land preparation: For a blackberry lily planting site, it is best to choose sandy loam land, flat land or gently sloping land with a relatively high position, a sunny aspect, deep soil and good drainage. If using barren hillside land for planting, it is best to plough the land in the autumn or winter of the previous year so that it undergoes a period of weathering and maturation, then plough once more in the following spring, removing tree roots, weeds and stones. For planting on cultivated land, plough once before planting, apply 2000 kg of compost or barnyard manure, 25 kg of superphosphate and 50 kg of cake fertiliser per 667 sq m (1 mu) as base fertiliser, then harrow shallowly once to mix the fertiliser and soil evenly, and form raised beds 120-130 cm wide, or ridges 50-60 cm wide for planting.
2. Planting: This can be done either in spring planting in March or autumn planting in November. When planting, on the prepared bed surface, open holes at a row spacing of 25 cm × 20 cm or 30 cm × 20 cm, with a hole depth of 15 cm. Apply 0.5 kg of farmyard manure at the bottom of each hole and mix it evenly with the soil in the hole, then place 1-2 segments of planting rhizome into each hole with the buds facing upward, or plant 1-2 seedlings per hole, cover with soil and firm it down, pour in dilute human and livestock manure water, then cover with soil again and level the bed surface.
If blackberry lily is grown by direct seeding, it can be sown in spring or autumn. Spring sowing is carried out in early March, and autumn sowing in October. On the prepared bed surface, dig holes at a row spacing of 30 cm and a plant spacing of 25 cm, with a hole depth of 6 cm. Level the bottom of each hole, first apply 0.5 kg of dry manure to each hole, mix it evenly with the soil in the hole, then cover with about 2 cm of fine soil. Sow 5-6 seeds per hole, cover with fine soil after sowing, and cover the bed surface with grass. Strengthen management after sowing, water frequently to keep the bed soil moist, so as to facilitate seed germination and emergence and seedling growth. After the seedlings emerge, cultivate and weed in time, and thin the seedlings when they are 6-10 cm tall, removing weak and small seedlings and keeping strong and large ones, leaving 1-2 seedlings per hole. The seed rate is about 5 kg per 667 sq m.
3. Cultivation and weeding: After blackberry lily emerges or survives transplanting, cultivate and weed frequently to favour plant growth, usually 3-4 times each year. If it is the first year of spring sowing, carry it out once each in May, July and November. In the second year, carry it out 3 times, once each in March, June and November. Once the rows close, no more cultivation and weeding are done. In addition, after the plants wither and yellow in November each year, combine cultivation and weeding with one earthing-up, using fine soil from the furrows to bank up around the root zone, so as to help the plants overwinter and prevent lodging.
4. Topdressing: Blackberry lily is a fertiliser-loving plant. In addition to applying sufficient base fertiliser, apply topdressing once each in spring, summer, autumn and winter of the second year. For spring and summer topdressing, apply 1500 kg of human and livestock manure water or 25-30 kg of urea per 667 sq m, opening holes 10 cm away from the plants and applying it there. In autumn, apply 1500-2000 kg of a mixed fertiliser of barnyard manure and plant ash plus 25 kg of compound fertiliser per 667 sq m, then earth up after application. In winter, apply 1500 kg of decomposed barnyard manure, 20 kg of plant ash, 25 kg of superphosphate and 30 kg of compound fertiliser per 667 sq m, mix evenly and apply, then earth up after application. The first two topdressings can promote the growth of stems and leaves above ground, while the latter two can promote rhizome growth and increase yield.
5. Drainage and irrigation: Blackberry lily fears waterlogging. After heavy rain, clear the ditches in time and drain the water from the field to prevent rhizome rot. Although blackberry lily is drought-tolerant, the bed soil should be kept moist during the seedling stage and after transplanting to favour seedling growth. If drought occurs during the seedling stage, water or irrigate appropriately. After the seedlings are 10 cm tall, irrigate less or not at all.
6. Bud removal: Plants grown from rhizomes can flower in the same year; those raised from seed and transplanted or direct-sown do not flower until the following year, and their flowering period is long and they bear many flowers and fruits, consuming a large amount of nutrients and affecting rhizome growth. Except for seed-production plots, remove the flower buds when the plants bolt, choosing a sunny morning after the dew has dried, and remove them completely in stages and batches.
7. Harvesting and processing: Plants propagated by seed are harvested after 3 years of growth, and those propagated by division after 2 years of growth. Harvest in late November, when the stems and leaves of the plants wither. Dig out the rhizomes, remove the stems, leaves and soil, sun-dry until half dry, rub off the fibrous roots, then sun-dry until fully dry and set aside for use. Those with thick, plump and large rhizomes, yellow colour, no soil and no fibrous roots are best.
What effects and actions does blackberry lily have?
1. Medicinal value
Used for conditions such as sore throat and swollen throat caused by attack of wind-heat, or by excessive accumulation of phlegm-heat. Used for conditions such as excessive phlegm and saliva, cough and asthma. Sore throat and swollen throat, throat obstruction with inability to pass, inability to pass urine and stool, when various medicines are ineffective, abdominal fluid accumulation, darkening of the skin, and early-stage breast abscess.
2. Landscape value
The flower shape is elegant and graceful, with a sense of interest, and it is suitable for use in flower borders.