When is the best season to plant Gastrodia elata?

Gastrodia elata is not only a major medicinal material, but is also often found in many daily tonic dishes, such as Gastrodia elata stewed with baby pigeon, Gastrodia elata steamed meat pie, Gastrodia elata pig brain porridge, etc. Gastrodia elata has good effects. Let’s learn together when is the best season to plant Gastrodia elata?

When is the best season to plant Gastrodia elata?

Gastrodia elata prefers a cool climate and is suitable for growing in areas with an altitude of 1,100 to 2,800 meters. In mountainous areas with an altitude of about 1,500 meters, due to the low temperature and high humidity, it is recommended to choose slopes with plenty of sunlight for planting. In low mountain areas below 1,000 meters above sea level, due to the high temperature and prone to drought, planting should be done on shady slopes or under the shade of trees.

Gastrodia elata is not particularly demanding on soil, but it is more suitable to grow in sandy or gravel soil, preferably soil with a deep soil layer, more humus, loose, fertile and good drainage. When preparing the land, there is no need to be too strict. Just remove the overly dense trees and bamboo forests. There is no need to deep plow the soil, just dig holes and plant directly.

The cultivation period of Gastrodia elata is mainly divided into two periods: winter and spring, among which the cultivation effect is better in winter. During winter cultivation, the suitable temperature for the growth of Armillaria ovata is lower than the temperature at which Gastrodia elata begins to sprout, so the growth rate of Gastrodia elata will also slow down accordingly. By the end of October, Gastrodia elata stops growing and the quality and volume of its tubers are basically mature, which is called "pulpless and fixed". From November to mid-April of the following year, Gastrodia elata enters a dormant period, which is the best time to plant Gastrodia elata.

Spring cultivation should be carried out from March to April, no later than early May. If the cultivation time is too late, because the Gastrodia elata has begun to sprout and grow, the newly planted Gastrodia elata has not had time to establish a good symbiotic relationship with the Armillaria fasciata and cannot obtain sufficient nutrient supply. It can only consume the nutrients in the seeds themselves to grow and reproduce, resulting in the newly planted Gastrodia elata being small and thin, with poor results, and may even dry up and die.

Things to note when planting Gastrodia elata

1. Keep hydrated

Gastrodia elata has a high demand for water during its growth, but not in excess, so the water needs to be properly controlled. In the early stage of Gastrodia elata growth, the moisture content of the soil should be ensured to be above 60%, that is, it can be clearly felt moist by hand. When entering the middle growth period, soil moisture should be maintained at about 50%. In the later stages of growth, although Gastrodia elata's demand for nutrients decreases, soil moisture still needs to be maintained at around 40%. Growers need to pay close attention to soil moisture conditions, drain water in time when there is too much, and replenish water when there is insufficient water to ensure appropriate moisture conditions.

2. Temperature control

Temperature management is crucial for Gastrodia elata cultivation, and abnormal temperatures may result in significant losses. The ideal temperature range for growing Gastrodia elata is 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. During high temperatures in summer, shading measures should be taken, such as using shade nets, and ventilation and cooling should be enhanced through artificial means. In winter when the temperature is low, in order to prevent Gastrodia elata from freezing, you can use greenhouses and other insulation facilities to maintain a suitable temperature environment.

3. Daily management

In daily life, bacteria and other microorganisms are relatively common, but Gastrodia elata should not be disturbed by other fungi during its growth. Therefore, expose Gastrodia elata to sunlight regularly to reduce fungal growth. At the same time, attention should also be paid to the prevention and control of pests, such as rats and other animals that may cause damage to Gastrodia elata. Appropriate pesticides can be used to prevent and control them to ensure that there are no harmful biological activities in the planting area.

4. Pest and disease control

The pests that pose a threat to the growth of Gastrodia elata mainly include mole crickets, grubs , termites, etc. In order to effectively prevent and control these diseases and pests, when planting Gastrodia elata, sprinkle 5% chlordane powder around the seedbed, or use special pesticides targeting termites. You can even place termite traps near the Gastrodia elata planting area to kill these pests and protect the growth of Gastrodia elata.

The above is an introduction to the planting time and season of Gastrodia elata. Generally, winter planting is the best time. Of course, it is also necessary to consider the local environmental and climatic conditions to see whether it is suitable for planting.