The growing environment and local conditions of Cistanche deserticola

Cistanche deserticola growth environment and conditions

Cistanche generally parasitizes on Haloxylon ammodendron and Tamarix tamarisk, and is mainly distributed by lakes or in sandy land. It is distributed in northwestern regions such as Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. It can be propagated by sowing in spring or autumn, sowing the seeds on the seedbed, and then paying attention to maintenance.

Cistanche deserticola growth conditions

Cistanche deserticola has strong adaptability to the environment and prefers loose sandy land with slight salinization. It can grow in arid environment with little rainfall, long sunshine hours and large temperature difference between day and night. It mainly grows in gray-brown desert soil and brown desert. Its host Haloxylon ammodendron is relatively drought-resistant, and Cistanche deserticola mostly parasitizes on its root system 30-100 cm deep.

Cistanche deserticola growth temperature

The growth of Cistanche is closely related to air temperature and soil temperature. Generally, when the atmospheric temperature is 20-30 degrees, the soil temperature is 15-20 degrees, and the soil volume moisture content is 3% to 4%, the growth rate is the fastest. However, when the soil moisture content exceeds 8%, the plant begins to rot.

Cistanche deserticola growth process

1. Parasitic process: Cistanche seeds are vigorous and will come into contact with the roots of Haloxylon ammodendron, combining to form a parasitic bud, which will grow into a block-shaped suction cup, and the Cistanche plant will grow here, completing the parasitic process.

2. Growth conditions: After Cistanche deserticola parasitizes on the Haloxylon ammodendron plant, it will grow multiple cone-shaped Cistanche deserticola juveniles. It cannot carry out photosynthesis by itself and mainly relies on the host Haloxylon ammodendron to provide water and nutrients, which are mainly transported through blocky suckers. The plant grows underground in the first and second years. If it is buried shallowly in the spring of the third year, it can grow out of the ground.

3. Flowering: The spadix of Cistanche deserticola will emerge from the ground from early April to May. The flowering period is from May to June. The fruits mature from June to July, and turn from yellow and brown to brown. After flowering and fruiting, the above-ground stems of Cistanche deserticola will dry up, and the underground stems will also lose vitality and eventually rot. If the stems are excavated, new plants can sprout from the block-like suckers at the base.