Breeding methods and precautions of Zhaoshanbai

1. Maintenance methods

1. Temperature: The temperature for maintenance should be controlled between 15 degrees and 25 degrees.

2. Watering: It is drought tolerant, so it does not require excessive watering. There is no fixed time for watering it. You need to observe the condition of the soil before each watering. Watering is only needed after the soil is completely dry. When watering, just water the soil until it is completely wet to avoid water accumulation in the soil.

3. Fertilization: It is tolerant to barrenness, so when fertilizing, you should choose to apply small amounts of fertilizer frequently at the right time. Its flowering period is in spring. Before flowering, phosphorus fertilizer needs to be applied once a month, and after the flowers bloom, mixed fertilizer needs to be applied once or twice. Phosphorus fertilizer needs to be applied once or twice in September and October.

4. Light: It is shade-tolerant and likes to grow in a cool environment. Therefore, it needs appropriate shade when given light. When the sunlight is strong, the daily light time should not exceed six hours. The temperature in autumn and winter is relatively mild, and it can be extended to eight hours.

2. Breeding techniques

1. Reproduction: It can be propagated by sowing. First, pick the seeds slowly from the mother plant, and then put them in a bag with good air permeability. Let it slowly dry and crack, then shake out the seeds. Then choose a place with plenty of sunlight and fertile soil to plant the seeds. The seeds need to be soaked for 24 hours before planting. After planting, water them thoroughly and wait for them to germinate.

2. Pruning: It generally requires pinching to promote growth. If its flowers are crowded, the extra flowers should be cut off to improve the quality of the flowers. If the plant has too many branches that affect its shape, you can trim the excess branches in autumn.

3. Problem Diagnosis

1. No flowering: The reason for the plant not flowering may be due to insufficient nutrients and the need to increase nutrients. However, it is not suitable to fertilize during the flowering period. Fertilizing during the flowering period will aggravate the symptoms of the plant not being able to bloom. It should be fertilized once before the flowers bud, and the fertilizer should be light fertilizer that is easy to absorb.

2. Dry branches and leaves: If the branches and leaves of the Atractylodes macrocephala dry up, it is mostly because of lack of water. When watering, in addition to watering the soil, you also need to spray water on the branches and leaves to keep them moist. Although the roots are not tolerant to waterlogging, the growth of branches and leaves requires a certain amount of water, which can be supplemented by spraying water.

IV. Other issues

1. Toxicity: It is poisonous.

2. Edibility: It cannot be eaten directly, but it can be used as medicine. Although it is poisonous, its extract can relieve asthma and cough, reduce swelling and eliminate phlegm after proper preparation.