Detailed Explanation of the Key Points of Elecampane Artificial Cultivation Techniques
Elecampane (Inula helenium) is a medicinal herb included in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, and its main medicinal part is its dried root. Elecampane and costus (Aucklandia lappa) are very similar, but their medicinal effects are different. The main effects of elecampane are strengthening the spleen and stomach, relieving pain and preventing miscarriage, but it also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. Elecampane has strong adaptability and is suitable for cultivation throughout China, but it is mainly distributed in Zhejiang, Henan and other places in China. So now let the editor introduce the artificial cultivation techniques of elecampane to everyone.
1. Site selection and land preparation
Elecampane has the characteristics of liking light, liking moisture, being tolerant of waterlogging, not tolerant of drought, and tolerant of cold. Its cold resistance is quite good, and it can generally still grow normally at minus 15°C. Because elecampane has strong adaptability to the cultivation environment, it can be planted in general soil. But when choosing a cultivation site, we will still have some considerations, such as the terrain of the cultivation site, drainage, permeability, water source irrigation conditions, soil fertility, etc. When there is a choice of cultivation sites, naturally choose the one with better conditions. Land preparation should be combined with base fertilizer application. Generally, three to four tons of farmyard manure are needed per mu, and the fertilizer requirement is very large. Finally, level the land, make furrows and ridges; a ridge width of 50 cm, a height of 40 cm, and a furrow width of 20 cm are sufficient.
2. Planting methods
There are generally two methods for planting elecampane. The first is seed propagation, using the drill sowing method. Seed propagation is generally sown from late March to early April each spring, then shallow furrows about 3 cm deep and 10 cm wide are opened in rows with a row spacing of 30 cm; then the seeds are evenly scattered, covered with soil, and the seeds are hidden; finally water once. After the seedlings grow to about 30 cm, transplant the seedlings and set them in place. The second is root division cultivation, generally digging out the underground rhizomes of elecampane before budding in early spring; then distinguishing them by different thicknesses; then planting and setting them in place with a row spacing of 40 cm and a plant spacing of 30 cm; finally watering is enough.
3. Field management
After elecampane is set in place, we should observe the growth of elecampane in the field. If dead seedlings or missing seedlings are found, replant them in time to ensure a full stand of seedlings in the field. One point to note when replanting seedlings is not to replant at noon on a clear day; generally choose cloudy and rainy days or morning and evening for planting. Second, pay attention to keeping the soil moist and do not let drought occur. Generally, water once about every three days. When the base fertilizer is applied sufficiently, generally only one topdressing is needed, mainly cake fertilizer and manure water. But if elecampane grows poorly, multiple fertilizations are still needed. Finally, during the growth process of elecampane, the flower stems of elecampane also need to be cut off, unless seeds are to be kept.
4. Disease and pest control
Elecampane's disease resistance is still relatively strong. When field management is done well, there are basically no diseases and pests. But sometimes leaf spot disease, aphids, stem borers, moth pests, etc. also appear, so we must also be prepared for disease and pest control. However, when using pesticides, pay attention to the concentration of the pesticide used to avoid excessive pesticide residues, otherwise the loss in cultivation will be very large.
The above is what the editor wants to introduce to everyone today about the artificial cultivation techniques of elecampane. Through reading the above, I wonder how much everyone knows about the cultivation of elecampane? Is there anything still unclear? If so, you can leave a comment below for consultation.