A Detailed Guide to the Benefits, Planting Methods and Timing of Motherwort
Since ancient times, "motherwort" has been called the guardian of women's health. It is an annual or biennial herb of the genus Leonurus in the Lamiaceae family, and some people also call it Weizi. In the Ming Dynasty, Li Shizhen called it "benefiting the mother and brightening the eyes." In the field of medicine, the leaves and flowers are dried and then boiled in water or used with eggs in dietary therapy to treat gynecological problems such as amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea. However, it should be noted that motherwort is cold in nature, so pregnant women and people with a cold-deficient constitution should be cautious.
Motherwort is native to various parts of China, and in natural environments it mostly grows in sunny places at altitudes of up to 3400 m. It can be planted in spring, summer and autumn. It can be grown in courtyards, balconies and other places with good light, and it is suitable for beginners because it is highly adaptable. It naturally prefers a warm and humid environment, likes ample sunlight, but can also tolerate partial shade.
As for soil, motherwort is not demanding; any loose, well-drained sandy soil will do. If conditions permit, an appropriate amount of decomposed organic fertilizer can be added to the soil before planting, which can improve soil fertility. In terms of water control, the principle for watering motherwort is "keep the soil slightly moist." Be careful not to overwater, otherwise root rot can easily occur. In summer, you can regularly spray the plant and the surrounding environment to increase air humidity.
As for fertilizing, motherwort does not need frequent fertilization. During the growing season, mainly use nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. To promote flowering and make the fruit color more vivid, potassium dihydrogen phosphate can also be used. In winter, fertilization can be stopped. Pruning is also an indispensable part of good plant care. Regularly pruning dead leaves and dead branches can not only maintain a good shape, but also promote the growth of new buds, making the plant more compact and healthy.
In addition, in the daily care of motherwort, attention should also be paid to the prevention and control of pests and diseases, such as aphids, red spider mites, and the pests that may also appear during the rainy season. So what are the methods for dealing with insects? If there are only a few small eggs, you only need to prune them off and throw them away, then spray a little sterilizing solution.
If they have already become small insects but the number is not large, you can spray chili water, edible vinegar or garlic to remove the insects. But if there are many insects, spray insecticides such as Pichongli or oxygenated happy life (generally spray once every 7~10 days). Spraying continuously 2~3 times can basically eliminate the pests.