Ukrainian gastrodia is in excellent condition, with a high dry yield—approximately 3 pounds of dried product per kilogram of fresh material. It is known for its superior quality, and the price of red gastrodia and yellow gastrodia is three to four times higher than other varieties. The high value of Ukrainian gastrodia is mainly due to its limited natural distribution and low cultivation volume. Therefore, artificial cultivation of this plant requires careful attention to several key factors:
1. **Cultivation Area**
Ukrainian gastrodia is primarily found in mountainous regions such as Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, and even parts of the three northeastern provinces. However, in the Yangtze River basin, it only grows naturally or can be cultivated at altitudes above 1,500 meters. Based on our trials, plants grown below 1,200 meters tend to have poor results. For optimal growth, artificial cultivation should take place in cool, high-altitude areas to ensure both high quality and yield.
2. **Species Selection**
Choosing the right variety is crucial. Since water content varies between species, seedlings must be carefully selected based on weight and size. Typically, 40–50 pounds of red gastrodia seedlings are needed for the same number of white hemp seedlings, while 30–40 pounds of yellow gastrodia seedlings are required. This means precise calculation of planting material is essential. For example, one square meter of red gastrodia requires 1 pound of planting material, whereas 1.2 hectograms are needed for gastrodia elata.
3. **Cultivation Substrate**
Suitable substrates include trees like cork oak, numb tree, wolfberry, cherry, eucalyptus, milk tree, and fragrant tree. These trees have dense wood, thick bark, and are resistant to decay, making them ideal for cultivating gastrodia. The diameter of the trees should be around 5–12 cm, with 50 cm being ideal. Branches less than 5 cm in diameter can be cut into 5–10 cm pieces and placed evenly around the main substrate. The bacterial inoculum should be applied at a rate of 8–10 per square meter (or per pit), with 25–30 kg of substrate and 8–10 kg of short branches. Cultivation material should be prepared 3–4 months in advance during spring, using two bottles of culture. In autumn, from August to September, 1.5 kg of bacteria per cellar is sufficient.
4. **Cultivation Techniques**
When sowing, seedlings should be placed close to the fungal material. Six seedlings are placed on one piece of fungus, with four in the center and one at each end. Both cave planting and row planting methods can be used. The planting depth should be about 15 cm. After digging the hole, fine soil should be used to cover the roots, ensuring good contact between the seedlings, the fungal material, and the soil. A layer of deciduous leaves, straw, or corn stalks, about 2–3 cm thick, should be placed on top of the planting hole, followed by proper drainage ditch preparation.
5. **Field Management**
(1) During winter and early spring, insulation is essential. The temperature of the soil layer below 10 cm should be maintained between 0°C and 5°C. From July to September, shading or covering is necessary to keep temperatures within 26°C.
(2) Moisture control is critical throughout the growing season. From January to March, maintain a soil moisture level of 30% to prevent freezing. From April to June, increase watering to 60–70% moisture to support growth. From July to August, reduce irrigation slightly to 60%, and from September to October, control moisture at around 50%. In November, keep the soil dry and loose, with a moisture content of about 30%. Weeding and pest control should also be done regularly during the growing season.
6. **Harvesting**
After the first frost, harvesting should be done within 1–2 days after a rainy day or on a dry day. Two types of containers—specialized baskets and boxes—should be prepared. One container is for high-quality seeds, while the other is for regular use. Seeds should be sown immediately or stored and transported as needed. High-quality harvests must be processed promptly to maintain their value.
Low Cut Safety Shoes
Low Cut Safety Shoes,Safety Shoes For Worker,Skid Resistance Hard Wearing Safety Shoes,Lightweight Safety Shoes
Brightway Shoes Co., Ltd. , https://www.brightwaysafety.com