How to grow the Chinese medicinal herb Scutellaria baicalensis? Collect this most complete guide to methods
Scutellaria baicalensis, commonly known among the people as shancha root or tujincha root. Its root can be used as medicine, has high cultivation value, and has the functions of clearing heat and detoxifying, and stopping bleeding and calming the fetus. Then do you know how this Chinese medicinal herb Scutellaria baicalensis should be grown? See here for the most complete guide to methods!
1. Sowing methods for Scutellaria baicalensis
1. Direct sowing method
For growing Scutellaria baicalensis, direct sowing is the best and can achieve high yield and high quality. It can be sown in both spring and autumn. Spring sowing is carried out around Qingming, and sowing can generally be done when the ground temperature reaches 5°C~8°C; autumn sowing is generally around Bailu, and sowing is done when the ground temperature is stable at 0°C~5°C.
2. Seedling raising and transplanting method
The sowing period for raising Scutellaria baicalensis seedlings is the same as for direct sowing. Choose fertile, well-drained, loose sandy loam soil. The soil layer is required to be more than 40 cm deep. When sowing, open horizontal furrows on the raised bed surface of the seedling plot at a row spacing of 20~25 cm. The furrow depth is 3 cm, and the sowing width is 10 cm. Mix the seeds evenly with grass ash, sow evenly into the furrows, cover with soil 2 cm thick, press lightly, water thoroughly, and cover the bed with grass to keep warm and moist. When the temperature is 14~15°C and the humidity is suitable, seedlings can emerge in about 10 days. After that, strengthen management. When the seedlings grow to 13~15 cm and the roots are 15 cm long, they can be transplanted. Transplanting is carried out in spring. On the prepared raised bed surface of the planting plot, open holes at a row spacing of 20~24 cm and a plant spacing of about 12 cm, and plant 1~2 seedlings per hole. When planting, the roots should be allowed to spread naturally and should not be bent. Backfill soil and press firmly. It is best to do this on rainy days. From sowing to emergence, keep the ground moist or add mulch to promote emergence.
2. Fertilization and pest and disease control for Scutellaria baicalensis
1. Fertilization
Fertilization: When Scutellaria baicalensis seedlings are 10-15 cm tall, apply topdressing once, with an application amount of 1500-2000 kg of human and livestock manure water per mu. From the end of June to the beginning of July, apply 20 kg of superphosphate and 5 kg of urea per mu as topdressing, apply in furrows between rows, cover with soil, and water.
Topdressing: For Scutellaria baicalensis harvested the next year, after the plants wither, open furrows between rows and apply 2000 kg of decomposed barnyard manure, 20 kg of superphosphate, 5 kg of urea, and 150 kg of plant ash per mu as topdressing, then cover with soil and level it.
2. Pest and disease control
Leaf blight: Clean the field. In the early stage, spray Bordeaux mixture at a ratio of 1:1:200, or use 50% carbendazim 1000-fold solution for control.
Root rot: Pay attention to drainage, practice crop rotation, pull out diseased plants early and burn them, and disinfect the soil at the diseased plant sites with lime.
Scutellaria baicalensis moth: When the Scutellaria baicalensis moth occurs, 90% trichlorfon can be used for control.
3. Harvesting of Scutellaria baicalensis
Scutellaria baicalensis harvested at 3 years has the best quality. The number of years should not be too short or too long. If the growth period is too long, black heart may occur, affecting quality. Harvesting is carried out in autumn after the stems and leaves wither, generally in mid-to-late September for best results. When the aboveground stems and leaves wither, dig and harvest. Because the main root goes deep into the soil, dig carefully and deeply to avoid breaking the main root or bruising the outer skin, so as to avoid reduced yield and lower commodity quality. Carefully dig out the whole root with tools, remove the soil completely, cut off the rhizome while fresh, and trim off the fibrous roots; when sun-dried to 70-80% dry, cut off the lateral roots and fibrous roots, pile for 1~2 days to let them regain moisture, then spread out to dry; repeat drying until completely dry, straighten the roots, tie them into small bundles, and they can be used as medicine.