CULTIVATION

Varieties :-
Around sixteen different varieties have been identified to be found in the Indian Sub-Continent. Depending on the significant medicinal properties, Chlorophytum borivilianum, a particular variety of Safed Musli has got maximum demand and commercial value.

Agro-Climatic requirements for Musli cultivation :-
Though no specific climatic,  soil  and irrigation types can be prescribed for Musli Cultivation as it is naturally growing in different parts of India in various states having different soil type, rainfall and irrigation systems. It is even growing in the forests in natural conditions on soils having different pH and texture and at different altitudes.

Cultivation Practices -

Land Preparation
Fields to be deep-ploughed  two-three times between mid April to mid May.

Manuring
20 trolleys (per acre) of Farm-Yard-Manure/Compost to be mixed in the soil.

Bed Preparation
Raised beds three feet wide and one foot 3 inches high to be made.

Seeds
400-500 Kgs of planting material (wet tubers with crown) are required per acre.

Sowing
Planting of seeds (tubers with crown) before the first showers of the monsoons.
Tubers of 8-10 grams, treated with Goumutra (cow urine) are planted on the raised beds at a distance of 15-20 centimeters - plant to plant and row to row.

Water Requirement
The life-cycle of the plant coincides with the monsoon season. In cases of long periods of  no rains-fall, water supply may be required to maintain moisture in the soil for healthy growth of the plant and the tubers.

Weeding
Regular weeding is necessary for proper and healthy growth of the Musli. 

Pest Control
In certain areas, the crop is susceptible to fungal infection which may be controlled by spraying fungicides.

Deflowering
Deflowering is necessary for the healthy growth of the tubers.

Harvesting
The plants shed their leaves by the months of October-November, but the roots are advised to be harvested in the month of February and March. 

Yield
The planted material multiplies 6-8 times on an average.

Preservation of Planting Material
The planting material kept aside for the next planting season can be preserved by adopting a very economical method developed at our farms which is provided free to all our customers.