Tuesday, 17 May 2011

Misai Kucing (Orthosiphon Stamineus)

                                                 Flowering   time (white or dark purple flower)


                                                                         Structure of stem

Morphological characteristics

This herb grow fast and could easily could reach 1.5 m in height. The stem is square, short hairy or red-colored gondola, grow upright and branching.  The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs, smooth, dark green, conical shape at the tip and finger like leave.
A short petiole , about 0.3m length and purple-red.

In our country, we categorized based on the color of the flower, which is white and dark purple. The white flower is recognized as MOS 1 and MOS 2 as dark purple herb .  Mos 1 has a bigger canopy, higher trunk and more fertile look(bigger size). Mos 1  has a  faster and more  twig growth compare to Mos 2  .

This herb is easy to plant and suitable for any kind of soil including sandy soil such as  bris soil  and alluvium soil . For a healthy and fruitful growth an average rain per month of  180-200cm. During dry season need irrigation.

If the plant is lack of water, the leaves are small, hard and brittle. Compare with other plant, this plant can with stand stagnant water up to  24 hour . These plants need a moist area for maximum vegetative growth.  For bris soil, this plant  needs   30-40% shading  especially during dry season  (Jan-Jun)

Land preparation

Planted area is usually plowed at least one month before planting.  This is to ensure that weeds and shrubs are cleared and eliminated.   Calcification with grounded magnesium limestone (GML) was conducted after the first fertilization. This activity ensure the soil mix and blend well with the GML
The amount of GML usage depends on the soil pH. The optimum soil pH is between 5.5 to 6


Planting preparation

The plant is  propagated by  cutting the stem at  6 inches All the stem section can be used as to plant.
The cut stems are planted in poly bags,  roots began to grow  after 2 weeks. The seedlings can be converted to farm after  4-5 weeks after sowing

Farming

The recommended planting distance is 60cm x 60cm.. The distance of these plants will produce a density of 25,000 per hectare

Fertilization

The recommended fertilizer rates are 75 kg / ha urea  for  every 3 times during  harvesting  or every  6-9 weeks . Compound or bio fertilizer  is sown in shallow run between rows of crops and covered the ground immediately.    

Irrigation system

There are a few irrigation system to be used depend on soil condition and water source.  For commercial planting, rotating or spinning irrigation system is suitable .
Drip irrigation system is ideal when used plastic mulch.

Nutritional content and  usage

Misai  kucing has been used since the old days to cure kidney disease  and  kidney stone.
Ortosifonim content and potassium salts (found in the leaves) is the main component  that dissolve uric acid, phosphate and oxalate  in our body bile and kidney. Saponin and tannin content in leaves can cure diseases suffered by  women whom are pale . This herb also can use as anti-allergy


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