Introduction: Milk thistle is a heady, spiny plant with white-veined leaves and purple flowers. The seed of the milk thistle plant is commonly used to treat chronic inflammatory liver disorders and it is among the top-selling medicinal herbs. While milk thistle products are easy to come by, this is a great herb to grow at home. It requires very little care and a controlled environment to prevent invasive growth. Originated in Europe but also present in North America, milk thistle is a hardy annual plant that can be found growing wild in rocky, dry areas. It is often considered as an invasive weed; however, due to its benefits for liver health, milk thistle has become widely popular and nowadays is a common addition to many gardens and backyards. The following growing guidelines offer valuable advice about how to cultivate and take care of milk thistle at home. .
Soil: Today, over one billion people in the world live in houses made of bamboo. It is being used in road reinforcements in India and it is also used in bridges built in China. It is mainly used as construction material, furniture, pulp and plywood. India is very fortunate to be blessed with good bamboo resources. Roots and leaves have also been used to treat venereal diseases and cancer. Moreover, the bamboo shoots are consumed as food and are considered good source of nutrition. The northeastern states are the major bamboo producing states in the country. It is also used to make necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and other types of jewellery
Land Preparation:
Milk thistle is a hardy plant that grows well in different environments, but it prefers high tem-peratures and dry conditions. The only requirement for milk thistle is a well-draining soil.
Planting: To grow milk thistle outdoors, spread the seed directly over the desired area in the spring or fall. Milk thistle seeds only take two weeks to germinate. Since it grows in clumps, it is recom-mendable to space the plant 12-15 inches (30-38 cm) apart.
Weed Control : Milk thistle itself is often considered a weed. In order to control its spread it is advised to har-vest the seeds before they become over-mature. To prevent re-seeding, it is recommended to mulch around the plant. However, milk thistle competes well with other plants, so a bit of light cultivation, especially when the plant is young, should suffice to control overgrowth
Harvesting: The seeds are the main part of the milk thistle plant that is harvested for use. Mature seeds are ideal because of their high levels of silymarin. You will know which seeds are the most mature because they turn brown and are protected by the pappus, a circle of hairs formed from the modified calyx that appears as silvery white fluff. This particular form is found on the seeds of plants in the Asteraceae family, such as dandelion and thistle. The pappus assists in the dis-persal of the seeds by wind, acting as a parachute.When the flower has finished blooming and it is loaded with seeds, the flower head must be cut with less than one inch (2.5 cm) of stem. This operation can also be done by hand, in which case it is necessary to wear thick clothing and gloves since the plant has many very sharp thorns
| Distance (in acre) | Kit (1 kg) (in land) | Cost of Kit (per Kit) | Total | Other expenses(as per requirement) | Cost of cultivation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6inchX2 ft | 2 kit | 2500 Rs | 2500X2= 5,000 /- | Fertilizers Land preparation Labor expenses etc. | 5,000.00 |
| Total Expenses: 5,000/- | |||||
| Income of year | Seeds (in 6 months) | Company buy-back (per kg) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| In 6th month | 1000 kg | 60 Rs | 1000X60= 60,000/- |
| Total Income from Seeds: 60,000/- | |||
Technical Support & Services:
We also provide technical support for farming. Our Service Department with technically quali-fied staff provide after sales service and farmers' advisory services to our customers to get bet-ter plant establishment and faster growth of Herbal and Horticultural plantations.
We have largest network of employees who deliver Plants to customers at their door steps. Free technical services to customers on planting method, management practices and plant pro-tection measures. Our teams of Agricultural Experts periodically visits and supervise the planta-tions and suggest necessary guidelines to get better growth and higher returns. The income ex-penditure indicated by the company is an approximate figure, as it also depends on the nature and hard work of the farmer.
Share your state, district, land size and crop interest with SSP Group. The team will explain project suitability, planting material and basic cultivation planning.
SSP Group guides farmers on milk thistle seeds and planting guidance and project requirements. Availability should be confirmed before booking or plantation.
Yes. Contract farming is the main focus, and the Milk Thistle cultivation project guidance covers land preparation, planting, crop care and harvest planning.
Buyback or market support depends on crop, quality, quantity, location and written terms. Farmers should confirm all commercial terms before plantation.
Farmers, landowners, FPOs and agriculture entrepreneurs with suitable land and water resources can request project consultation.
Share your land size, state, and crop interest. SSP Group agriculture experts will guide you with project details, planting material, and farming support.
