Poria cocos, also known as hard rice balls, cold rice balls, etc., is a kind of Chinese herbal medicine, which has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, dehumidifying and channeling. In recent years, with the continuous expansion of the traditional Chinese medicine market, the planting area of Poria cocos has gradually increased. Below, we will introduce in detail the planting methods and management points of Poria cocos to help growers better cultivate Poria cocos.
1. Land selection and land preparation
Poria cocos is suitable for growing in a warm, moist and well-drained environment. Therefore, when choosing a planting site, you should choose a sunny plot, a deep soil layer, loose and fertile, and a well-drained plot. Before planting, it is necessary to carry out deep soil preparation, remove weeds and stones, and apply sufficient base fertilizer, mainly rotting farmhouse fertilizer, with an appropriate amount of compound fertilizer, to improve soil fertility.
II. Breeding method
There are two main propagation methods of Poria cocos: seed propagation and rhizome propagation. Seed propagation is to sow mature Poria cocos seeds in the seedbed, and transplant them to the field after the seedlings have grown to a certain extent. Rhizome propagation is to select healthy, disease-free soil Poria rhizomes, cut them into small pieces and bury them in the soil to germinate and grow.
3. Field management
- Cultivating and weeding: During the growth period of Poria cocos, regular cultivation and weeding should be carried out to keep the field clean and reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases. Cultivating can also loosen the soil, improve soil permeability, and is conducive to the growth of Poria cocos.
- Watering and drainage: Poria cocos needs sufficient water to grow, but is afraid of waterlogging. During the growing period, keep the soil moist and water it in time in case of dry weather. At the same time, it is necessary to do a good job of drainage to prevent root rot caused by water accumulation in the field.
- Fertilization and soil cultivation: In the growth process of Poria cocos, fertilizer should be applied in a timely manner according to the growth situation. Generally, top dressing is carried out after emergence, before flowering and fruiting period, mainly nitrogen fertilizer and potassium fertilizer. In addition, in order to prevent lodging of the plant, soil should also be laid during the growth period.
Fourth, pest control
The pest control of Poria cocos is mainly based on prevention. Before planting, the soil should be disinfected to reduce the number of pathogenic bacteria and eggs. During the growth period, the field pests and diseases should be checked regularly, and control measures should be taken in time once pests and diseases are found. For common diseases such as root rot, powdery mildew, etc., corresponding agents can be used for prevention and control. For insect pests such as aphids, thrips, etc., biological pesticides or chemical pesticides with low toxicity and low residue can be used for control.
5. Harvesting and processing
Poria cocos is generally harvested in autumn. At the time of harvesting, the aboveground part is first divided, and then the roots are dug out, the soil and fibrous roots are removed, and the medicine can be used after drying or drying. In the process of processing, attention should be paid to maintaining the integrity and cleanliness of the medicinal materials, so as to improve the quality and market competitiveness of the medicinal materials.
In short, the cultivation of Poria cocos requires mastery of certain technical and management points. Through reasonable land selection, land preparation, propagation, field management and pest control, the yield and quality of Poria cocos can be effectively improved. It is hoped that the majority of growers can conscientiously study and master these technical points and contribute to the development of traditional Chinese medicine.