When is the best time to plant Houttuynia cordata?

Houttuynia cordata is what we usually call Houttuynia cordata, a perennial herb belonging to the genus Houttuynia of the family Herba Lysimachiae. It was once a wild vegetable found everywhere in rural areas and was named for its unique smell. Houttuynia cordata not only has a long history of food and medicinal use in my country, but as people's understanding of its health benefits gradually deepens, its market demand has increased year by year and its price has also shown an upward trend. In recent years, more and more people in rural areas have planted Houttuynia cordata. Let’s learn and understand when is the best time to plant Houttuynia cordata?

When is the best time to plant Houttuynia cordata?

Houttuynia cordata, as a highly adaptable perennial plant, can be planted at any time of the year. However, in order to achieve the best planting results and yields, choosing the right sowing time is crucial.

1. Best planting time

According to traditional experience and the plant growth cycle, around the beginning of spring is considered the best time to plant Houttuynia cordata. The Beginning of Spring usually marks the beginning of spring. The climate at this time gradually warms up and the soil moisture is moderate, which is very suitable for the growth of Houttuynia cordata. If sown during this period, Houttuynia cordata can germinate and grow quickly, making full use of the natural conditions in spring.

2. Winter planting

If planting in winter, you can choose to sow in January. Although the temperature is low in winter, Houttuynia cordata still has a certain degree of cold resistance and can adapt to the climatic conditions of this season. Houttuynia cordata sown in winter can be harvested in April. Such planting arrangements allow farmers to supply fresh Houttuynia cordata in advance to the spring market to meet market demand.

Key points for planting Houttuynia cordata

1. Selection of planting plots

When selecting a plot of land, priority should be given to flat or gently sloping land with strong water and fertilizer retention capabilities, high organic matter content, thick tillage layer, good air permeability, sufficient water sources and convenient irrigation and drainage. The soil pH should be neutral or slightly acidic to ensure the good growth of Houttuynia cordata.

2. Land preparation and fertilization

After selecting a plot of land, it should be deep plowed before winter to a depth of at least 25 cm and dried to improve the soil structure. Before sowing, weeds and debris should be thoroughly removed, soil should be broken up into small pieces and the soil should be tilled and leveled. It is recommended to use fully decomposed manure as base fertilizer for the cultivation of Houttuynia cordata, prepare it at a quantity of 7,000 kg/mu, spread half during plowing, and use the other half during sowing.

3. Seed stem selection and processing

Artificial cultivation of Houttuynia cordata usually adopts asexual reproduction. Before sowing, dig rhizomes from mature plots and select rhizomes with short and thick internodes as seed stems. Cut it into 5 to 10 cm long segments, retaining 2 to 3 nodes in each segment. The cut should be located in the middle of the internode to facilitate germination.

4. Sowing and making ridges

There is no specific time limit for sowing Houttuynia cordata and it can be done throughout the year, but the best effect is to plant it around the beginning of spring. When sowing, the row sowing method is adopted, with a planting furrow depth of about 20 cm, a sowing width of 10 to 15 cm, and a row spacing of 15 to 20 cm. After sowing, cover with base fertilizer and soil to form a flat bed with a width of about 1.5 to 2 meters.

5. Covering and field management

Covering should be done in time after sowing to reduce water evaporation and increase soil moisture. The covering material can be pine needles or other crop straw, with a covering thickness of about 3 cm. Field management includes timely weeding, pinching and removing buds, and paying attention to irrigation and drainage to keep the soil moist without waterlogging.

6. Pest and disease control

Houttuynia cordata has few diseases and pests and generally does not require special prevention and control.

7. Harvesting and annual management

Houttuynia cordata can be harvested at any time as needed, especially in autumn and winter when the yield is high and the quality is good. When harvesting, cut off the above-ground stems and leaves, wash the rhizomes and then process and eat them. Annual management includes spreading manure and covering with straw at the beginning of spring every year, and considering changing plots based on growth and pest and disease conditions.

In short, the cultivation of Houttuynia cordata is highly flexible, and the planting plan can be arranged according to the actual situation of farmers and market demand. The sowing time around the beginning of spring can bring the best economic benefits, while planting in winter helps to occupy the market earlier.