How to grow lemongrass, what is its use?
Cultivation environment and points of cultivation environment: lemongrass like warm, humid and full sunlight environment and well-drained sandy soil growth. In India, it is mainly cultivated in areas where the average temperature ranges from 18 to 29 degrees Celsius, the average annual rainfall ranges from 70 to 410mm, and the soil pH ranges from 5.0 to 5.8 (East India) and 4.3 to 8.4 (West India). The maximum oil yield per metric ton of fresh grass was achieved under climatic conditions where the growing temperature ranged from 25 to 30°C and the average annual rainfall ranged from 2,500 to 3,000 mm. At the same time, the amount of nitrogen fertilizer per hectare is about 186 kg per year, phosphorus fertilizer is 26 kg per hectare, and potassium fertilizer is 384 kg per hectare. Nitrogen fertilizer has a greater effect on the yield of fresh grass above ground, while potassium fertilizer has a greater effect on the yield of lemongrass oil. Reproduction: Since lemongrass rarely flowers and bears fruits, the reproduction method is based on root division or clump division. Mature lemongrass, each bush has about 50-200 branches, cut off the upper leaves, leaving about 10-15 centimeters with the roots of the branches, directly planted in the field can be. The meandering lemongrass can be propagated by seed, with a sowing rate of about 5-10 kg/ha. Cultivation points: Cultivation rows and plants are generally spaced 100 X 45 centimeters apart. The first harvest is possible about 6 to 8 months after planting, and then every 3 to 4 months. It is reported that the yield of fresh grass and essential oil is higher when harvested at 20 centimeters from the ground. Yields of 4-6 metric tons of hay/ha and 30-40 kg/ha of lemongrass oil (4-5 harvests per year) can be achieved by mechanical or manual harvesting. The chemical composition of lemongrass grass contains volatile oil (essential oil), lemongrass oil extracted by steam distillation, essential oil extraction rate of about 0.2 to 0.5%. Lemongrass should be withered after harvest and then extracted. Citronella oil is generally yellow to dark yellow in color. Essential oil can be detected more than 100 kinds of chemical components, and the main chemical composition is divided into citral 70 ~ 80% (citral) and geraniol (myrcene) about 20%; and contains citronellal (citronellal), geraniol (i.e., geraniol geraniol), levoborneol (l-borneol), 1,8-p-menthane-5-ol (1,8-p-menthane-2,5-ol), levoborneol (1,8-p-menthane-2,5-ol), and citronellol (1,8-p-menthane-5,5-ol), and citronellol (1,8-p-menthane-5,5-ol), and citronellal (Citronellus). 5-ol (1,8-p-menthadien-5-ol) and other ingredients. These ingredients are mainly used in perfumes and cosmetics. It is generally believed that lemongrass contains less citral than meandering lemongrass, but this is not conclusive. The application of lemongrass fresh and dried grass: lemongrass can be used in its entirety, fresh or dried plant leaves and stems have a strong lemon flavor, in Asia, India, Vietnam, Thailand and other countries commonly used in soups, meat food seasoning, such as adding the leaves to curry. In India, lemongrass is crushed into water and used as shampoo and toilet water. It is also used to flavor non-alcoholic beverages, baked goods and pastries. Lemon lemongrass tea drink brewing method: take about 3 grams of dried grass or cut an appropriate amount of fresh grass (5-10 grams), 250 ㏄ hot water brewing, let it stand for 5-10 minutes to drink, can also be mixed with other aromatic herbs to use. At present, farmers in central Taiwan also have dried and processed into lemongrass pillows for sale. Application of lemongrass oil: lemongrass oil can be used directly as perfume, cosmetics and soap, cream and other processed products such as flavorings. Lemon citronella essential oil is a semi-dry essential oil, aromatherapy is considered helpful for oily skin. Citral can be used as a raw material for the synthesis of ionones (perfume and cosmetic flavorings). Therefore, citral can be fractionally distilled from lemongrass oil to be used as a flavoring agent for soft drinks, soaps, perfumes, cosmetics and detergents, as well as to mask the bad odors of many industrial products. Medicinal Uses: In traditional or folk medicine, lemongrass is believed to expel wind and expel insects. In the classification of Chinese herbal medicine, it is classified as pungent and warm in nature. It is used to expel wind and dampness, and to reduce swelling and pain. In addition, studies have reported that lemongrass essential oil has sedative and anti-microbial properties. Citronella meanderingensis essential oil has antifungal properties. The volatile oils are insecticidal and mutagenic. Martin's citronella was reported to be toxic to fungi. At present, some organic cultivation management, the use of diluted lemongrass oil as an organic insect repellent or planting lemongrass as a contraindication to the use of plants, but the actual effect of how to confirm the experimental data. Safety and Side Effects: Currently, extracts or essential oils made from lemongrass plants have been evaluated for safety and can be used for food or external use, with no reported side effects. However, lemongrass essential oil is irritating and excessive use may cause redness and swelling, so it should be used in moderation. PS: (can be used for reference for lemongrass planting ah!!!) Vanilla plant planting method a, sowing container Home sowing vanilla can use a relatively short small pot, vanilla seeds are relatively small, and, the germination rate is low, so the general sowing with the soil needs to be loose, permeable, high water-holding capacity, and to be sterilized adequately. Lavender seeds should be soaked in warm water at 40 degrees. Continue soaking for 24 hours after the water cools. This makes germination easy. Sowing method Generally the seeds are slightly larger (e.g. lavender, sage), you can spot sow 2~3 seeds in each container. After germination, depending on the growth condition of the seedlings, leave one stronger plant. For small seeds (e.g., oregano, mint), sprinkle. Dab some seeds in your hand and gently spread them on the soil. Spread seedlings after germination. Leave 1 to 3 seedlings as appropriate. Mulching The thickness of the seed mulch depends on the size of the seed. Generally 2~3 times the diameter of the seed. Tiny seeds soil to be thinner, large seeds can be soil cover thick