Iron chopsticks are also known as Jiu Niu Qi, Double Bellwort, Little Hickory Seven, Little Peachy Seven, Mandarin’s Seven, Ice Cool Flower, and Sneezewort. Perennial evergreen herb, rhizome about 4 mm in diameter, dense fleshy long fibrous roots. The stem is 30-50 cm tall, glabrous, with upper branches and 2-3 sheath-like leaves at the base. Hardy, like semi-shady environment, avoid dry and cold, its main growth in Sichuan, Gansu, Shaanxi and other places, many places have introduced cultivation. Can be used for medicinal purposes; flowering period from winter to the following spring, has a certain ornamental value of the garden.
A. Maintenance methods
1, temperature: iron chopsticks is very poor heat-resistant nature, the general temperature can not be higher than 28 degrees, more than 28 degrees, the plant is easy to wither, but its cold-resistant nature is very strong, it can be fully raised in the winter outdoors, it can withstand a low temperature of about minus 15 degrees. The normal growing temperature is generally between ten and fifteen degrees.
2, watering: iron chopsticks like more moist soil, so as to ensure its normal growth, under the conditions of sufficient water, the plant’s branches and leaves will be very large, and very soft, very beautiful, if not enough water, the plant’s branches and leaves will become very dwarf, so in the summer time must be timely replenishment of water.
3, light: warm and sufficient sunlight is necessary for the normal growth of the plant, warm light can make the plant bloom more vividly. However, if the plant withers directly after strong light, so it needs to be shaded in the summer.
4, fertilization: fertile soil is very beneficial to its normal growth, fertilization in the spring can promote the growth of the plant and produce more flower buds, after the flower blooms also need to fertilize, so that the plant can better recover and ensure adequate nutrients. Fertilizing in several months will help the plant to move properly.
Second, breeding tips
1, propagation: sowing and planting are two common ways of propagation, planting is carried out in October every year, the plant growth is the fastest at this time, when the plant will be divided into several parts of the roots, and then directly planted can be. Sowing is in the spring, after sowing, you need to control the soil moisture, while maintaining the temperature at about 20 degrees.
2, pruning: iron chopsticks is not often pruned, only the usual yellowing branches and leaves cut off, after flowering, if you do not intend to keep the seeds, you can cut off the plant’s residual flowers, which can reduce the loss of nutrients.
Third, the problem treatment
1, disease: black spot disease will often appear, this disease is mainly due to poor ventilation, so be sure to ensure adequate ventilation conditions, and can use fungicides to prevent and control.
2, insect pests: aphids will often appear, aphids will chew the newly grown shoots, you can spray dichlorvos solution to control.
Fourth, other issues
1, toxicity: no poison, and its medicinal value is also very high, but also can treat bruises.
2, whether it can be raised at home: Yes, but the temperature should be controlled, not too high, so as not to affect the normal birth, ventilation must also meet the conditions.
