Fritillaria thunbergii, also known as Zhejiang Fritillaria, Elephant Fritillaria, Elephant Fritillaria Bulb, or Large Fritillaria Bulb, is a commonly used Chinese medicinal material with the functions of clearing heat, resolving phlegm, relieving stagnation, and dissipating nodules. It is one of the famous "Eight Flavors of Zhejiang". With a production history of over 300 years, it enjoys a high reputation both at home and abroad. This product is the bulb of Fritillaria thunbergii Miq. of the Liliaceae family, originally produced in Yinxian County, Zhejiang Province, due to its prominent medicinal value. In 2013, Benefit Pharmaceutical established Zhejiang Yilv Medicinal Materials Planting Co., Ltd., which invested heavily in building large-scale and standardized Chinese medicinal materials planting demonstration bases. The cultivation of Fritillaria thunbergii has been carried out for 3 years, and a set of unique planting techniques has been developed through continuous exploration. Nowadays, the Fritillaria thunbergii planting bases, bathed in the spring breeze, present a gratifying scene.

The two Fritillaria thunbergii planting bases in Jushui and Yushang, Qingyuan County, are blessed with abundant sunshine, surrounded by green mountains and flowing clear water, providing an unparalleled growing environment for Fritillaria thunbergii. Perhaps due to its market value that makes it "proud", or perhaps it is inherently "delicate", Fritillaria thunbergii has very strict, even somewhat harsh, requirements for soil. The land where it grows must be well-drained, humus-rich, loose and fertile sandy loam, with a soil pH of 5 to 7 being more suitable. For this reason, before each sowing, the hardworking base staff plow deeply and till carefully. For every 1,000 square meters, 3,000 kilograms of farmyard manure is applied as base fertilizer, along with 150 kilograms of cake fertilizer and 40 kilograms of phosphate fertilizer. The soil is raked evenly and made into high ridges of 1.2 to 1.5 meters, with ridge ditches 25 to 30 centimeters wide and 20 to 25 centimeters deep, ensuring smooth drainage ditches around. The seeds are sown evenly on the soil, covered with a thin layer of fine soil, and the ridge surface is covered with straw to keep the soil moist and ensure the germination rate of Fritillaria thunbergii.

It is March, with spring in full bloom, and the fresh air is filled with a faint fragrance of herbs. Fritillaria thunbergii is growing quietly, and its flowers are blooming brightly in the spring breeze, with patches of green dotted with tender yellow, which is particularly eye-catching. The base staff in the field are busy removing the flowers of Fritillaria thunbergii. People may wonder: flowering symbolizes fruits and harvest, so why remove the flowers? How can it bear fruits then? When everyone is puzzled, the base staff explain in time: generally, after the Spring Equinox, when Fritillaria thunbergii begins to shoot and flower, to promote the growth of bulbs and avoid nutrient loss, the flower buds should be picked off in time. However, it should not be done too early or too late, and it is appropriate to pick when there are still 2 to 3 flower buds unopened at the top of the plant. Flower picking should be done on sunny days to prevent rainwater from entering through the cut and causing rot and diseases of the plant. For Fritillaria used for breeding, only the flowers are picked, not the flower shoots. For commercial Fritillaria, first pick the flowers, then cut off the top 6 to 10 cm of the shoots, but the broad leaves must not be removed, otherwise, it will affect the growth of the bulbs. After this explanation, we all feel relieved and sigh: this is real professionalism!

The base staff also tell us that continuous cropping is most taboo in Fritillaria thunbergii cultivation. After harvesting it, they will plant a season of rice, which will present another beautiful scene when harvested in late autumn. The health and safety of food are what everyone pursues nowadays. It reminds me of the carefully planted Yilv organic rice by the company - pure green alpine rice, which tastes most fragrant, glutinous and soft, and its quality is green and healthy.

Standing on the ridge and looking around, clusters of Fritillaria thunbergii on the field ridges are thriving more vigorously in the spring sun. What kind of scene will it be when the harvest season comes? How many patients will benefit from these Fritillaria thunbergii that have absorbed the essence of the sun and moon here? Their vigorous growth allows their value to be reflected. Under the joint care of all planting experts and employees of Yilv Medicinal Materials Planting Co., Ltd., the Chinese medicinal materials base will usher in another year of bumper harvest!