The stone silkworm, also known as the stone lotus, is a herbaceous plant of the Orchidaceae family, mainly distributed in Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hunan, Sichuan, Guizhou, Guangdong and other regions in China. It has the effects of moistening the lungs, stopping cough, clearing heat and cooling blood. Below, we will learn about the breeding methods of stone silkworms.
Methods for Breeding Stone Silkworms
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 cultivation soil should be fertile sandy soil with good drainage to prevent waterlogging and rotting.
It grows on tree trunks or rocks at altitudes of 300-1760 meters, and can also be found on rocks or trees near rivers.
2. Reproduction Methods
It can be propagated by cuttings or rhizomes, and can also be divided. However, for small families, there is no need to collect seeds, and propagation by cuttings is sufficient.
3. Soil Planting
The stone silkworm is not strict in its soil requirements, but fertile soil is most suitable. Since its roots do not penetrate deep into the soil, deep ploughing is not necessary. Before preparing the land, apply well-rotted organic fertilizer and shallowly turn it into flat ridges.
In spring, take rhizomes with 2-3 leaves or leaf buds and cut them into small sections of about 10 centimeters. Plant them shallowly in the topsoil of humus and keep the humidity. New roots will grow in about 40 days.
4. Field Management
The stone silkworm has a relatively long growth period, so we should pay attention to intertillage and weed control. In summer, attention should be paid to controlling water and fertilizer to prevent excessive plant growth. When flower buds appear, they should be promptly removed, along with the terminal 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 medicinal root enhancer to promote rapid rhizome enlargement.
