Atractylodes macrocephala planting method and time

Atractylodes prefers a cool environment and is not resistant to heat and humidity. Its rhizomes are cold-resistant. When planting Atractylodes, you should choose sandy loam with a suitable climate, fertile soil, loose soil and good drainage, and avoid crop rotation with crops such as tobacco, potatoes, and peppers to prevent the spread of diseases and pests. The cultivation cycle of Atractylodes macrocephala is usually two to three years. Let’s learn about the planting method and time of Atractylodes macrocephala.

1. Seed selection and seedling cultivation

Select fresh, full-grained, disease-free Atractylodes seeds , soak them in warm water for a day to promote germination, and then sow them during the period from the Spring Equinox to Qingming Festival. The sowing amount per mu is controlled at 5 to 7 kilograms. Cover the soil with straw after sowing to keep it moist. Remove the covering material in time after seedlings emerge and strengthen field management.

2. Transplanting and land preparation

Choose sandy loam that is deep, fertile, loose and well-drained, and avoid continuous cropping with crops such as tobacco, potatoes and peppers. After the Descent of Frost, deep plow the land to a depth of about 30 to 50 cm, and apply sufficient base fertilizer, applying 1000 to 1250 kg of organic fertilizer or 150 to 200 kg of chemical fertilizer per mu. Then they were arranged into north-south compartments, with a width of 135 to 170 cm, a length of 82 to 100 cm, and a distance of 33 cm between compartments. The best time for transplanting is from late December to the first ten days of January of the following year, and no later than Qingming Festival. Plant according to the standard of 5 plants per row, 30 cm spacing, and about 10 cm depth, cover with 2.5 to 3.3 cm of fine yellow mud, and then cover with straw again.

3. Fertilization and irrigation

Atractylodes macrocephala requires appropriate amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers during its growth period. Apply fertilizer once before and after budding, 20 kg of urea and 30 kg of compound fertilizer per mu, apply in the furrows between rows, cover with soil and water. Apply fertilizer again one week after picking the buds. Atractylodes is afraid of waterlogging and drought, so it needs to be drained and irrigated in time, especially during the rhizome swelling period, it needs to maintain appropriate moisture.

4. Weeding and bud removal

Weeding should be done in time after the Atractylodes seedlings emerge from the soil. The tillage can be deep in the early stage and shallow in the later stage. After mid-May, inter-cultivation is generally no longer required and weeds between plants are pulled out by hand. Buds begin to appear in mid-June. Except for the fields reserved for seeds, the flower buds in other fields should be removed in time. Bud picking should be done on a sunny day, taking care not to damage the stems and leaves, and topping should be done within a week after bud picking.

5. Harvesting and processing

The growth cycle of Atractylodes is two to three years. The harvest time is usually after the first frost and before the beginning of winter, when the rhizomes turn yellow and the leaves wither. Be careful when harvesting to avoid damaging the rhizomes. After drying them until half dry, cut off the fibrous roots and seedling tips, and then dry them until they are 80% to 90% dry. Finally, bake or steam them over fire until the rhizomes turn white. After drying them until they are completely dry, they can be stored or sold. There are various processing methods for Atractylodes macrocephala, including raw Atractylodes macrocephala, fried Atractylodes macrocephala, scorched Atractylodes macrocephala, and stir-fried Atractylodes macrocephala, etc. Different methods are suitable for different medicinal needs.

The above is an introduction to the key points of planting Atractylodes. To plant Atractylodes, you must first understand its growth habits and see if the local environment is suitable for planting it.