Is Fishy Smell Herb Easy to Cultivate?
As a plant with both medicinal and culinary value, the Fishy Smell Herb has gained popularity among home gardeners in recent years. Its unique fishy odor can be used as a cold salad ingredient and also serves as a medicinal herb for clearing heat and detoxifying. For beginners, mastering the correct cultivation method can keep the Fishy Smell Herb vigorous, achieving both ornamental and practical value.
I. Basic Analysis of Fishy Smell Herb Cultivation
1.1 Analysis of Environmental Adaptability
The Fishy Smell Herb has excellent adaptability to the environment, surviving in a temperature range of 5-35°C. Experimental data show that its roots develop best in soil with a pH of 5.5-7.0. Its special root structure can effectively store nutrients, allowing it to maintain basic growth requirements even in poor soil.
1.2 Comparison of Cultivation Methods
Both soil cultivation and hydroponics have their advantages: soil cultivation results in more developed root systems and higher alkaloid content; hydroponic systems allow for direct observation of the roots and are suitable for indoor decoration. It is recommended that beginners prioritize soil cultivation, using a mixture of humus soil and river sand in a ratio of 3:1.
II. Detailed Maintenance Guide for Fishy Smell Herb
2.1 Light Management System
Implement a stepped light adjustment: seedlings should receive 2 hours of morning light daily, while mature plants need 4 hours. From 10:00 to 15:00 in the summer, a shading net is needed to filter strong sunlight, while in winter, full sunlight can be accepted. Special note: insufficient light can lead to weak stems and dull leaf color.
2.2 Water Control Strategy
Develop a cyclic watering plan: maintain soil moisture at 40%-60% in spring and autumn, increase it to 70% in summer, and combine with foliar spraying. Using the immersion pot method can prevent surface soil compaction, and warm water (20-25°C) irrigation in winter can effectively prevent root frostbite.
2.3 Nutrient Supply Plan
Implement staged fertilization: during the growing period, apply diluted soybean cake fertilizer (NPK ratio 3:1:2) every 15 days, and during the budding period, add potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution (0.2% concentration). Organic fertilizers must be fully composted to avoid root burn risks.
III. Comprehensive Pest and Disease Control System
Establish a three-level protection system focused on prevention: ① spray garlic extract monthly to prevent diseases ② maintain good ventilation to reduce humidity ③ physically remove diseased leaves and use biological pesticides. Focus on controlling leaf spot disease (which can be treated with mancozeb 800x solution) and red spider mites (matrine solution is effective).
Through systematic maintenance and management, the Fishy Smell Herb can be harvested 3-4 times a year. It is recommended to regularly prune old stems to promote new buds and use division propagation to expand the planting scale. By mastering the key maintenance points, even gardening beginners can cultivate high-quality Fishy Smell Herbs that are excellent for both medicine and food.