The stone silkworm is the whole plant of the Orchidaceae bloodleaf orchid, also known as bloodleaf orchid, stone lotus, true gold grass, and stone lotus. It is mainly distributed in Guangdong, Hong Kong, Hainan, Guangxi, and southern Yunnan, and has the effects of nourishing yin and moistening the lungs, cooling blood and stopping bleeding. Let's take a look at the cultivation methods of the stone silkworm.
Picture of stone silkworm
1. Growth habits
The stone silkworm prefers warm temperatures and dislikes high temperature and humidity. The suitable temperature for growth is 15-25 degrees Celsius. The preferred soil for cultivation is fertile sandy soil with good drainage and no waterlogging.
It grows on tree trunks or rocks at an altitude of 300-1760 meters, and is also commonly found on rocks or trees by the river.
2. Propagation methods
It can be propagated by cutting or rhizome division, and can also be divided. However, small families do not need to collect seeds, and cutting is sufficient.
3. Soil cultivation
The stone silkworm is not strict with soil requirements, but fertile soil is the most suitable. Since its roots do not penetrate deep into the soil, deep plowing is not necessary. Apply well-rotted organic fertilizer before plowing, and lightly turn the soil into a flat bed.
In spring, cut the rhizomes with 2-3 leaves or leaf buds into small sections of about 10 centimeters, and shallowly bury them in the topsoil of humus and keep the humidity. New roots can grow in about 40 days.
4. Field management
The stone silkworm has a long growth period, so we should pay attention to cultivation and weeding. Control water and fertilizer in summer to prevent excessive plant growth. When flower buds appear, they should be promptly removed along with the top buds to save nutrients and promote the growth of rhizomes.
After the beginning of autumn, during the period of rhizome enlargement, apply compound fertilizer and the herbal medicine root enlargement to promote rapid enlargement of the rhizomes.
