How to cultivate Acorus calamus

1. Maintenance methods

1. Substrate selection: Its cultivation substrate can be made of fertile and loose sandy soil that contains a lot of humus and has good drainage and air permeability. If the soil is too poor, it is necessary to add an appropriate amount of base fertilizer to the soil to facilitate its growth.

2. Nutrient management: During its growth period, it needs to be top-dressed two to three times. In the early growth stage, nitrogen fertilizer can be applied mainly. Before heading and flowering, it is best to apply phosphorus fertilizer or potassium fertilizer in appropriate amounts. At the same time, combine weeding to prevent weeds from consuming the nutrients of the plant.

3. Water management: It likes a cool, humid environment and avoids drought. It must be watered frequently during the breeding process. In the hot summer, you can spray water appropriately to maintain the humidity of the potting soil and the environment.

4. Temperature management: It grows well under normal room temperature and is relatively cold-resistant. The wintering temperature should be maintained above 4°C. If the natural temperature is lower than 3°C, warming and cold-proof measures should be taken in time, and it should be moved to a greenhouse where it can receive sufficient light to overwinter.

2. Breeding techniques

1. Reproduction method: There are two methods for its reproduction: sowing and division. Among them, division is the main method. It is best to carry out division between September and October. After removing the yellow and withered old leaves of the plant, it can be divided into small plants with five to ten tillers. After transplanting, water it appropriately.

2. Repotting method: When the plant grows vigorously and the leaves have filled the flowerpot, in order to allow it to grow better, you can repot it in spring. Choose a flowerpot of appropriate diameter. When repotting, you can combine pruning and add an appropriate amount of basal fertilizer.

3. Problem diagnosis and treatment

1. Yellow leaves: It likes water, but if the container used for cultivation does not have a bottom hole or the soil has poor drainage, it is easy to cause excessive water accumulation in the pot, causing the leaves of the plant to turn yellow or even wither. Pay attention to timely drainage.

2. Pests: The main pest is rice locust, which will harm the leaves of the plant. Once found, it is necessary to spray it with pesticides according to the instructions in time.

IV. Other issues

1. Meaning: Its stems and leaves have a special spicy aroma. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that it can dispel evil and ward off evil. At the same time, its leaves are sword-shaped, and people call it the "Cat Sword" that can cut off ominousness. Its meaning is "cut off all evil."

2. Toxicity: It is non-toxic and can be used as medicine. It is warm in nature and spicy in taste. It has the effects of removing dampness, stimulating appetite, promoting blood circulation and dispersing wind.