What is the appropriate spacing for planting Ophiopogon japonicus
This article introduces the suitable spacing for planting Ophiopogon japonicus and related topics about the cultivation techniques of this plant. The following content is provided by the editor of this site for everyone.
Ophiopogon japonicus (L.f.) Ker-Gawl. is a plant of the Liliaceae family, also known as Mai Men Dong or Yan Jie Cao. Its tuberous roots are used in medicine and for making medicinal diets, and it is also an ornamental plant with evergreen ground cover. It is produced in Zhejiang, Sichuan, Fujian, Jiangsu, Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Anhui, Guizhou, Yunnan, Guangxi, and other places.
(I) Propagation Methods
In recent years, the main producing areas of Ophiopogon japonicus in Zhejiang and Sichuan have adopted the small cluster division method. The advantages include fewer plants, a larger contact area between the stem base and the soil, quick survival, early root development, early tillering, more tillers, early and numerous tuberous roots, long growth period of tuberous roots, high yield, and good quality.
(II) Land Selection and Preparation
Select loose, fertile, moist, and well-drained neutral or slightly alkaline sandy loam soil. Accumulated water, low-lying, and flood-prone areas are not suitable for cultivation. Ophiopogon japonicus in Zhejiang is often planted in slightly alkaline alluvial soil along the Qiantang River. Attention should also be paid to the preceding crops, generally crops such as yellow clover,大头菜 (da tou cai), broad beans, and wheat are preferable. Ophiopogon japonicus has developed fibrous roots, so the planting area should be deeply cultivated and finely raked, ensuring loose and fine surface soil, and a flat ridge surface to facilitate root extension and absorption of more nutrients. The ridge width is 1.5~2 meters, with ridge ditches about 30 centimeters wide, straight and unobstructed for water flow.
(III) Planting
1. Seedling Treatment After digging up Ophiopogon japonicus, remove the soil, cut off the tuberous and fibrous roots, trim the leaf tips and old rhizomes, loosen the stem base, divide into single plants, and trim the remaining old stem nodes so that the cross-section of the stem base shows a white, radiating flower heart (commonly known as chrysanthemum heart), with leaves not spreading apart. If not planted in time, the seedlings need to be "nurtured." The method of nurturing seedlings involves tying the sorted seedlings into small bundles with a diameter of 20 centimeters (45~50 centimeters in Sichuan producing areas), soaking them in water to absorb water, then standing them vertically in a shaded and humid place with the stem base touching the ground, surrounding them with moist soil, and watering once a day or every other day to prevent heating or drying. The nurturing period should be limited to 7 days, as longer periods can affect root development.
2. Planting Method For small cluster planting, the seedlings have weak drought resistance, so before planting, soak the Ophiopogon japonicus seedlings in water to fully absorb moisture, then arrange the seedlings in a flat, double-row formation, align the bases, cut the soil vertically, and plant 3~5 centimeters deep without spreading the leaves. Then, compact the soil on both sides of the seedlings to stabilize them in the soil, ensuring flat ground and straight seedlings. Apply water fertilizer once and, if possible, spray water to make the soil and seedling stems fully contact, which is beneficial for survival. The seedlings should not be planted too deep to prevent "high-stem seedlings" with few tuberous roots. But they also should not be planted too shallow, with the base of the seedlings exposed to the soil surface, as this can cause the seedlings to fall over and be sunburned.
3. Planting Density The planting density of Ophiopogon japonicus varies with different harvest years. In Zhejiang, 2-year-old Ophiopogon japonicus is planted with a spacing of 16 centimeters between plants and 26 centimeters between rows, with 8-10 seedlings per hole; 3-year-old Ophiopogon japonicus is planted with a spacing of 20-25 centimeters between plants and 26-32 centimeters between rows. In Sichuan producing areas, 1-year-old Ophiopogon japonicus is planted with a spacing of 6-8 centimeters between plants and 10-13 centimeters between rows, with 4-6 seedlings per hole. An area of one mu requires 700 kilograms of seedlings. However, 1-year-old Ophiopogon japonicus has poorer quality than 2-year-old ones.
4. Planting Time The best planting period is from late April to early May.
5. Interplanting Ophiopogon japonicus has the growth habits of shade tolerance and heat aversion. Local farmers use intercropping to reduce the intense direct sunlight on Ophiopogon japonicus, which is beneficial for growth and can also increase the farmers' annual income. In Sichuan, intercropping cotton in the summer and autumn rainy seasons, planting mustard or onions in winter, and only planting watermelons in the third year. However, excessive intercropping can affect the growth and yield of Ophiopogon japonicus. Therefore, appropriate intercropping of crops or vegetables can increase income.
What is the appropriate spacing for planting Ophiopogon japonicus
(IV) Field Management
1. Cultivation and Weeding Ophiopogon japonicus plants are low-growing, and weeds can easily grow, consuming fertility and affecting growth. Therefore, generally, weeding is done 3-4 times a year, combined with earthing up to prevent soil compaction. From May to July, the weather is relatively hot, and weeds grow vigorously, so weeding should be done promptly and on sunny days. After winter, weed growth slows down, so less weeding or no weeding is needed. Do not weed after rain or frost, as it can compact the soil and affect the growth of Ophiopogon japonicus and the expansion of its tuberous roots.
2. Fertilization Ophiopogon japonicus has a long growing season and requires a lot of fertilizer. In addition to applying base fertilizer, top dressing should also be applied in a timely manner. Mixed fertilizer is best for top dressing. Applying only nitrogen fertilizer results in vigorous plant growth but few tuberous roots, while applying only phosphorus and potassium fertilizer causes yellow leaves, short leaves, gray-brown leaf tips, and brown bases, which are symptoms of nitrogen deficiency. Fertilization should follow the following steps.
(1) Apply sufficient base fertilizer When preparing the land, apply enough base fertilizer, then turn the soil to mix the fertilizer into it. Generally, apply 1500-2000 kilograms of compost and 1000-1500 kilograms of manure per mu, or use 100-150 kilograms of phosphate rock, or apply superphosphate before planting and mix it with the soil to benefit the growth of Ophiopogon japonicus.
(2) Apply root-promoting fertilizer About half a month after planting, the plants start to turn green, and after one month, they start to develop roots. Fertilization should be done at this time to promote early root development, more roots, faster growth, and early tillering. Apply 750 kilograms of human waste and 15 kilograms of superphosphate per mu. In July, apply 1250 kilograms of human waste and 15 kilograms of superphosphate per mu.
(3) Apply heavy spring and autumn fertilizers Both the expansion period of tuberous roots and the stage of大量分囊 (mass tillering) occur in the spring and autumn rainy seasons. At this time, a heavy application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, combined with nitrogen fertilizer, is needed. In March, apply 1500 kilograms of human waste, 25 kilograms of superphosphate, and 50-100 kilograms of cake fertilizer per mu; in September, loosen the soil first, then apply fertilizer, so the fertilizer will not be lost. Apply 1500 kilograms of human waste, 25 kilograms of potassium chloride per mu, and in November, apply 2000-2500 kilograms of human waste and 150-200 kilograms of plant ash scattered around the clusters to enhance the cold resistance of Ophiopogon japonicus, which is beneficial for warming and frost prevention and plant growth.
3. Watering to Protect Seedlings Ophiopogon japonicus prefers moist soil and has more dew during the growing period. Especially after planting, water should be applied in time to keep the soil moist. In areas with conditions, sprinkler irrigation can be used to promote early root development. If dead or missing seedlings are found, they should be replaced promptly to ensure a full stand. After July, as the weather becomes hotter and soil moisture evaporates, watering should be done to promote root growth.