Dichondra is non-toxic and can be used as medicine; master the key points of sowing and caring for trailing dichondra
Is dichondra toxic?
If you want to place dichondra in the bedroom, do not worry about toxicity first - dichondra is not toxic, and it is also a common herbal medicine with effects such as protecting the liver and lowering enzymes, relieving pain, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antipyretic and cholagogic. Older generations often boiled it to drink as herbal tea, so it is not only non-toxic, but also quite high in medicinal value.
Dichondra, also known as small HERBA LYSIMACHIAE, lotus bud grass, meat wonton grass, golden key, jaundice grass, etc., is a perennial creeping herb of the genus Dichondra in the Convolvulaceae family. It is widely distributed across areas south of the Yangtze River, and is very common in Guizhou, Guangxi, Fujian, Sichuan, Zhejiang and Hunan. It mostly grows by roadsides, on mountain slopes and grasslands, or beside ditches at altitudes of 1300 m to 1980 m. It is also a commonly used herbal medicine among the Miao people for treating hepatitis, with the Miao medicine name "Wobi Shelui". It is generally harvested from April to June, tastes bitter and pungent, is slightly cold in nature, and can clear heat and detoxify, promote diuresis and activate blood circulation. It mainly treats jaundice, dysentery, edema, boils and toxic swellings, and other conditions.
How to sow trailing dichondra seeds
Dichondra is a common foliage plant. Its stems creep along the ground and have a trailing habit, making it especially suitable for hanging baskets. Whether grown alone or in combination plantings, its greening effect is very good. If you want to grow it into a "waterfall", the main method is propagation by sowing.
As for sowing time, spring sowing is best in April-May, and autumn sowing is best in September-October. Spring is the best of all, and the suitable germination temperature is 21°C. Before sowing, soak the seeds for 4 hours first for a better effect. Prepare the flowerpot in advance, disinfect the soil beforehand and water it thoroughly, then sow the seeds in rows or by broadcasting into the pot, cover with about 1-2 cm of soil, and then cover with a straw curtain to keep warm and moist. This can make emergence uniform and improve the emergence rate. Pay attention to watering after sowing; generally they will germinate in 7-10 days. By the way, a reminder: many of the blue-coated "coin grass seeds" on the market are actually dichondra seeds, so be sure to look carefully when buying seeds.
Key points for daily care of dichondra
Dichondra prefers a warm and humid climate, has strong adaptability and vigorous vitality, and also has a certain tolerance to trampling. It is not strict about soil; as long as drainage is moderate, both sandy loam and clay can be used. It likes both light and shade, and also has strong disease resistance and pollution resistance. It blooms in spring, with solitary flowers in the leaf axils, yellow bell-shaped flowers, a flowering period in April, and a fruiting period from July to August.
In terms of fertilization, it likes nitrogen fertilizer, which can be applied along with rain and watering. It is best to use urea at 3-5 kg/mu plus diammonium at 5-10 kg/mu. Because dichondra creeps close to the ground and has broad leaves, improper fertilization can easily burn the seedlings: fertilizers with good solubility should be dissolved first and then sprayed, while poorly soluble ones should be followed by heavy watering after application to wash the fertilizer on the leaves into the soil, and fertilization should be avoided during high-temperature periods. After 2-3 years of turf cultivation, the rhizomes become dense and the soil easily becomes compacted. You can spike holes or use a knife to cut lines to sever the grass roots, then apply additional nitrogen fertilizer and water appropriately, and the lawn can regain its vitality.
In terms of watering, after the seedlings emerge, water 1-2 times per week, and increase the frequency in dry seasons. After the turf is established, control watering in early spring and early winter, and set the frequency according to the soil texture during the peak growth period. During the growing period, apply nitrogen fertilizer at 3-6 grams per sq m, and fertilize 1-2 times each year in spring and autumn. Dichondra lawns have relatively few weeds, but newly planted lawns need 2-3 months to cover the ground and are easily invaded by weeds. If there are few weeds, they can be pulled by hand; if there are many, spray the mixed formulation Lujun SL-2 at 525-675 g/hm2 during the weed seedling stage. The residual effect lasts as long as 80-90 days, and it is safe for the lawn.
When planting in the field, the land should be tilled loose, raked level and finely prepared, with soil particle diameter controlled below 2 cm, and pH adjusted to 5.5-7.0. Disinfect with formalin mixed with water at 1:40, using 10-15 L of solution per sq m of bed surface. When transplanting, open small furrows 2-3 cm deep, with row spacing and plant spacing of 3-4 cm. After covering with 2 cm of soil, water once thoroughly, and cover with a shade net or straw curtain to keep it moist. On the 10th day, the stolons will produce a large number of new roots and new shoots. You can also tear the turf apart and spread it evenly on a thoroughly watered lawn bed, then cover with fine sandy soil 6-10 mm thick, and it will also survive.