(Zhang Fuquan)

Qumai (Dianthus superbus L.) is also known as stonecrop flower, decapod flower and wild wheat. It is a perennial herb of Dianthus family. Wild in the hillside weeds, but also cultivated. Produced in Jilin, Heilongjiang, Shandong, Henan, Hunan, Hubei, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, Sichuan, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Xinjiang, Qinghai and other provinces and regions. The whole herb is used as medicine. Quemel contains saponins, and water decoction taken orally has a significant diuretic effect and increases the amount of chloride excreted. From the isolated, whole animal experiments proved to have excitatory intestinal tube effect, and have inhibited the heart, lower blood pressure. Bacteriostatic test: Huomai has inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Typhoid fever, Fusarium dysenteriae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Bitter flavor, cold nature. It has the functions of clearing away heat and diuretic, breaking blood and menstruation, clearing lymph and eliminating carbuncle. It is used to treat urinary tract infections, stones, dysuria, blood in urine, amenorrhea, and skin eczema.

Also, Dianthus chinensis L. (Dianthus chinensis L.) is also used as quatrefoil. Dianthus chinensis L. contains saponins, flowers contain volatile oil. The main components of the oil are eugenol, phenylethanol, benzyl benzoate, methyl hydrastate and so on.

I. Morphological Characteristics

The height is 0.5-1m, the stems are cespitose, erect, glabrous, upper 2-manifold branched, nodes obvious. Leaves opposite, linear or linear-lanceolate, 1.5-9cm long, 1-4mm wide, apex acuminate, base short sheath-like clasping, entire, both surfaces glabrous. Flowers solitary or several in sparsely forked branched paniculate cymes, bracteoles 4-6, broadly ovate, arranged in 2-3 whorls, the innermost whorl of bracts larger, margin membranous; calyx cylindrical, up to 4cm long, apex 5-lobed, finely hairy; petals 5, reddish, white or lilac, apex parted in a fimbriate fashion, base bearded Stamens 10, inserted at base of ovary; ovary superior, oblong, ca. 6 mm, styles 2, ca. 3 times as long as ovary. Capsule long, orbicular, enclosed in persistent calyx, apex 4-toothed. Seeds compressed ovoid, margin winged (Figs. 16-41).

Figure 16-41 Morphology of Quercus

1. Plant 2. Pistil 3. Stamen 4. Corolla

The morphology of Dianthus is basically similar to that of Quercus, with the most important difference being that the apex of the petals of Dianthus is lobed into serrations and is not fimbriate.

Two, biological characteristics

Hardy, in Beijing can naturally overwinter. Prefer humidity, avoid drought, suitable for more humid areas of cultivation. Soil to sandy loam or clay loam soil is the best, sandy soil and too dry ground planting, growth retardation, yield is very low.

Seed germination rate of 70-80%. Temperature at 14-18 ℃, there is enough humidity, seedling 11-13 days after sowing; temperature increased to 17-23 ℃ then about 6 days seedling.

Three, cultivation techniques

(a) Selection of land preparation

Select sandy loam or clay loam, low-lying flood-prone land is not easy to plant, can be utilized on slopes or grassland cultivation. After the harvest of the previous crop, autumn turn 25-30cm, weathered by the winter, the next spring, per mu of stable fertilizer or human waste 2500-3000kg, and then rake fine, leveling, do 1-1.3m wide beds or into a 45-55cm wide ridge.

(2) propagation methods

Mainly with seed propagation, but also can be propagated by planting.

1. Seed reproduction

Sowed in early April to early May. Open shallow ditch sowing, ditch spacing 15-21cm, ditch depth 1.5-3.0cm, the seeds evenly spread into the ditch, mulch 0.6-0.9cm, after sowing need to be slightly suppressed, and immediately watered. The amount of seed sown per acre is 1-1.5kg.

2.planting reproduction

Early March to early April, the root will be dug out, divided into 5-6 plants in a dun, with the division of planting. Planting ditch, ditch depth 6cm, ditch spacing 24-30cm, every 6-10cm set a pier, and then use the soil to compact around the roots and then water.

(C) field management

1. Plowing and weeding

Seedling height of 6-10cm can be shallow plowing, and then every watering or fertilizer, are plowing and weeding, can be 5-6 times a year, the seedling grass, can be pulled out at any time.

2. Fertilizer

After each crop is harvested, 1500-2000kg of stable fertilizer should be applied per mu, and 5-10kg of ammonium sulphate can be applied per mu, combined with watering and loosening of the soil, so that the fertilizer can be evenly spread into the soil.

3. Irrigation and drainage

Too much or too little soil moisture has an effect on the growth of quince. Keep the ground moist after sowing, and if water accumulates in the beds, remove it in time to avoid macerating the roots.

(D) Pests and diseases and their control

1. Black powder disease

[Ustilago violacea (Pers.) Rouss.]

Transmitted by seed or soil. Prevention and control methods: crop rotation; leaving disease-free seeds for planting; pulling out diseased plants to prevent spreading.

2. Root rot

Mostly occurs in the summer period, the symptom is the yellowing of leaves, root rot, a few days will die. This disease is due to rain or excessive irrigation or poor drainage, is a physiological disease. Prevention and control methods: choose the terrain of high and dry land or raised bed planting, pay attention to the rainy season to open ditches and drainage and in the diseased plant around the grass ash or lime.

Other still have spotted wilt (Septoria dianthi Desm) and so on.

Four, harvesting and processing

Summer and fall harvesting, generally harvested before flowering, home growers can be harvested 2-3 times a year. Cut the whole grass, remove weeds and soil, cut sections or not cut sections, put the sunny place to dry, not cut into small bundles, when it rains, to take care of, to prevent mold and rot.