Silybum alias milk thistle

It is an annual or biennial herb of Silybum in Compositae, with a height of1.2m.. Stems erect, ribbed, rarely unbranched, leaves with the same color on both sides, green, with white spots, thin texture, large head, broad spoon-shaped middle and outer layers of total bracts, oval, rhombic to lanceolate, glabrous, and hard and leathery middle and outer bracts. Small flowers are reddish purple, rarely white, filaments are short and wide, achenes are squashed, and the crown hairs are multi-layered, bristle-like, white, and blossom and bear fruit in May 5- 10/0.

Growing environment:

Like warm and sunny environment, it is cold-resistant, drought-resistant and high-temperature resistant, and can grow normally at 39℃ in summer and autumn. The germination ability of seeds is strong, and they can germinate spontaneously. The optimum temperature of seed germination is 18-25℃, and the germination rate is as high as 95%. The seedlings also have strong cold tolerance, and will not die when they meet the low temperature of about 0℃. The requirements for soil are not strict, and sandy loam with loose, fertile and well-drained soil is better. It is not suitable for planting in places where the soil is sticky, low-lying and salty.

Milk thistle

Cultivation techniques:

Intertillage: timely intertillage and weeding, and seedling emergence after sowing 15d. After the seedlings come out, plow and weed for 2-3 times in the growth period of seedlings and basal leaves, and stop intertillage and weed after the plants are closed. 2 pairs of true-leaf seedlings, with 2 strong seedlings in each hole; 3. Fix the seedlings when the leaves are true, and leave strong seedlings 1 plant in each hole. In case of lack of seedlings, the strong seedlings under the interval can be used to make up the seedlings.

Fertilizer and water: after topdressing and irrigation, topdressing urea150kg/ha and calcium superphosphate 300kg/ha. Spraying 2g/kg potassium dihydrogen phosphate or 800 times solution of chlorophyllin when the basal leaves grow to the flowering stem, spraying every 7- 10 day/time, and spraying for 2-3 times continuously. When the plant begins to bud, it should be watered in time in case of dry weather; When the plant enters the late stage of flowering and fruiting, it should be irrigated in case of drought, and drainage should be paid attention to in rainy season.