How to raise potted mint grass?

Peppermint, also known as southern mint, night incense, water mint, etc., is the general name of perennial root herbs of the mint genus of Labiatae. It is native to Europe and the Mediterranean coast, and is now cultivated all over the world. We mainly use its stems and leaves to extract essential oils as natural spices. Let's take a look at how to grow potted mint.

Growth habits of mint grass

Peppermint is a shallow root plant, the rhizome is mostly concentrated in the soil surface layer of about 15 cm, horizontal distribution of about 30 cm. Both rhizome and aboveground stem have strong germination ability and are used as asexual propagation materials in production. It has strong adaptability to environmental conditions and can grow in areas below 2100 meters above sea level. However, the rhizome germinated at 5: 6 ℃, the suitable temperature for plant growth was 20: 30 ℃, and the underground rhizome could survive the winter safely under the condition of-30 min / 20 ℃.

Propagation methods of peppermint grass

1. Rhizome propagation: the seed roots were cultivated in late April or late August, and the plants with strong growth and free of diseases and insect pests were selected as mother plants in the field and planted according to the row spacing of 20 × 10 cm. After the aboveground stems and leaves were harvested in early winter, the rhizomes were left in place as seed plants.

2. Split propagation: peppermint seedlings are about 15 cm high and should be interspersed and replenished. The seedlings were transplanted by means of interstitial seedlings.

3. Cutting propagation: the aboveground stems and branches were cut into 10 cm long cuttings from May to June, and the seedlings were raised by cutting according to the row spacing of 7 × 3 cm on the whole seedling bed, and then transplanted to the field after rooting and sprouting.

How to raise potted mint grass?

1. Soil: peppermint is not very strict on soil, except for over-sand, over-sticky, over-pH and low-lying soil with poor drainage, the general soil can be planted, and sandy loam and alluvial soil are better. The suitable pH value of soil is 6-7.5.

2. Watering: peppermint likes the moist soil environment and is more resistant to moisture, especially during the growth period, but the amount of water should not be too large, and waterlogging is strictly prohibited. Usually watering should maintain the habit of "no dry, no watering, watering thoroughly". If you use Amoy rice water, it will be more beneficial to the growth of peppermint. In winter, it is necessary to reduce the number of watering and the amount of water.

3. Sunshine: peppermint is generally cultured in a semi-shady environment as a potted plant, that is, astigmatism rather than direct sunlight. If you put it on the balcony, you can put it at the root of the back sun wall, which can cover part of the sun. if it is indoor breeding, it is best to put it 3 meters away from the Chaoyang balcony and let it receive astigmatism.

4. Temperature: peppermint has strong adaptability to temperature, its rhizome survives the winter and can withstand-15 ℃ low temperature. The optimum temperature for its growth is 25 ℃ ~ 30 ℃. The growth was slow when the temperature was below 15 ℃ and accelerated when the temperature was higher than 20 ℃. At 20 ℃ ~ 30 ℃, as long as water and fertilizer are suitable, the higher the temperature, the faster the growth.

5. Fertilizer: the cultivation of peppermint needs fertilizer, and peppermint likes fertilizer, which is topdressing once a month during its growth period. Nitrogen fertilizer is the main fertilizer, and phosphorus and potassium fertilizer can be applied properly. If the branches and leaves need to be harvested during the growth period, topdressing should be carried out during the harvest to promote the plant to restore a good plant shape.