Licorice planting methods and conditions

Licorice is a widely used medicinal material that is grown in all parts of China. It has strong adaptability and prefers an environment with plenty of sunshine, drought and little rain. It is drought-resistant, cold-resistant, and salt-alkali-resistant. Below, the editor will introduce the planting methods and conditions of licorice, let’s take a look.

1. Licorice Planting Method

1. Site selection and land preparation

Choose sandy loam plots with low groundwater levels, good drainage, slightly alkaline soil, and deep soil layers to plant licorice. Deep plowing should be done once in the autumn of the year before planting, and deep plowing and land preparation should be done again before spring sowing in combination with fertilization.

2. Seed treatment

Because the seed coat of licorice seeds is hard and difficult to absorb water, they need to be processed to increase the germination rate. Common methods include gentle milling with a rice mill , sulfuric acid treatment, or soaking in warm water.

3. Planting seeds

The sowing time is generally in spring, and the best sowing time is from late April to mid-May. The sowing method can be direct seeding in the field or transplanting seedlings. The sowing depth is usually 2-3 cm and the row spacing is 25-30 cm.

4. Field management

Depending on the soil type and salinity, sandy, salt-free or slightly saline soil can be irrigated after sowing. Carry out inter-tillage and weeding in the year of emergence. After that, the licorice roots will tiller and weeds will have difficulty competing, so no further inter-tillage is needed. Apply sufficient base fertilizer before sowing, preferably manure. Phosphorus fertilizer can be applied in early spring during the growing season every year.

5. Pest and disease control

The main diseases of licorice cultivation are rust, brown spot and powdery mildew, and the insect pests are aphids, leaf beetles, etc. A prevention-oriented and comprehensive control strategy should be adopted.

2. Licorice Planting Conditions

1. Soil conditions

Licorice is a perennial herb of the genus Glycyrrhiza in the leguminous family. It has well-developed rhizomes that penetrate deep into the soil, is suitable for dry farming, is salt- and alkali-tolerant, has strong positive energy, likes calcium, is afraid of waterlogging, and has strong vitality. The site should be sandy soil with a groundwater level below 1.5 meters, good drainage conditions, a soil layer thickness greater than 2 meters, no compacted layer, a pH value of around 8, and convenient irrigation. The soil needs to be rich in calcium and avoid planting in acidic soil.

2. Climate conditions

Licorice can be planted in spring, summer and autumn, but the best time to plant it is between April and May each year. This is because the climate is relatively warm during this period, the seedlings germinate quickly, and there is enough growth time before winter comes. Licorice prefers an ecological environment with sufficient sunlight, less rainfall, hot summers, cold winters, and large temperature differences between day and night.

The above is an introduction to the planting methods and conditions of licorice. Licorice is generally harvested after growing for 3-4 years, and it is best to harvest it in autumn. After harvesting, the roots and rhizomes are washed, sun-dried or oven-dried, and then graded according to root size.