Cultivation and planting technology of Bletilla striata

Bletilla striata, also known as sweet root, white root, white wuer head, and sheep horn seven, is a perennial herb with irregular oblate tubers, 2-3 claw-like branches, and a yellowish-white or grayish-white surface. Bletilla striata has high requirements for soil conditions and prefers to grow in fertile soil. Let’s learn about the cultivation and planting techniques of Bletilla striata .

1. Planting time

Planting is carried out in early March, and the white hyacinth tubers are implanted in the soil to a depth of about 3 cm. During the growing season, keep the soil moist, weed and loosen the soil regularly, and fertilize every two weeks. Usually within 2 months after planting, Bletilla striata will bloom. Applying phosphorus fertilizer once after the flowers fade until mid-August will help the growth of tubers.

2. Site selection and land preparation

Choose dry land for planting, preferably loose and fertile sandy soil and humus soil. The soil was plowed to a depth of 25 cm and 1,000 kg of farmyard manure was applied per mu. If there is no farmyard manure, 50 kg of compound fertilizer can be applied. Till again to thoroughly mix the soil with the fertilizer . Before planting, shallow tillage is carried out to fine and level the soil, and high beds 140 cm wide are made.

3. Planting method

Select domesticated Bletilla striata tubers, each with two buds, and dip them in wood ash before planting. Dig trenches with a distance of 23 cm and a depth of 6 cm. Place a tuber at a spacing of 11 cm between plants, with the buds facing upwards. Fill, compact, water, and cover with grass to keep the soil moist. In April, new shoots will break through the soil.

4. Field management

① Inter-row cultivation and weeding: After planting, spray with sethoxydim to seal the area, cover with pine needles, use arch support and cover with shade nets to facilitate uniform emergence of Bletilla striata seedlings. June is the peak season for Bletilla striata growth. Weeds grow rapidly and need to be weeded, but be careful to avoid damaging the roots.

② Top dressing: Bletilla striata likes fertilizer. Spray potassium dihydrogen phosphate once a month until it stops growing and goes dormant in August. At the same time, be careful to prevent weeds from growing.

③Irrigation and drainage: Bletilla striata likes a cool environment and the soil needs to be kept moist. Water promptly during drought. Bletilla striata is not tolerant to waterlogging. During heavy rains, drainage must be carried out in time to avoid root damage.

5. Pest and disease control

Root rot is more likely to occur during the rainy season. Prevention and control methods: pay attention to drainage and waterproofing, and dig deep drainage ditches. Cutworms and wireworms can be controlled by manual hunting, trapping or mixing with poisoned soil, or by watering with 700 times diluted Yi Fu Yuan germination and rooting solution.

6. Harvesting and processing

Three years after planting Bletilla striata, when the above-ground stems wither in October, pick the tubers one by one. Select tubers with new stalks for planting, cut off the stems, soak the tubers in clean water for 1 hour, and wash off the soil. Then boil the tubers in boiling water for 8 minutes and remove them to dry.

The above is an introduction to the key points of Bletilla striata cultivation. Although Chinese medicinal plants have good market development prospects, their sales channels are relatively fixed. We do not recommend blindly planting them on a large scale and you must consider carefully.