How to Propagate Pinellia ternata? A Detailed Guide to Common Propagation Methods
Pinellia ternata, also known as diwen, is a medicinal herb that has the effects of drying dampness and resolving phlegm, lowering rebellious qi and stopping vomiting, and when used fresh, reducing boils and swellings. It is cultivated in many regions, so how is Pinellia ternata propagated?
1. Tuber propagation
When Pinellia ternata has been cultivated for 2 to 3 years, the underground tubers can be dug up after the foliage withers in June, August, and October each year. Select small tubers with a transverse diameter of 0.5-1 cm, robust growth, and no pests or diseases for use as seed. Mix the seed tubers with fine sandy soil of moderate moisture and store them in a ventilated, cool place, then take them out for planting in winter of the same year or spring of the following year. Spring planting is preferable; autumn and winter planting gives low yields. For spring planting, earlier is better than later. In the warm Jiangnan region, in mid-December, open transverse furrows on a finely leveled and raked seedbed for row sowing. With a row spacing of 12-15 cm and a plant spacing of 5-10 cm, open furrows about 10 cm wide and about 5 cm deep, and place the tubers in two staggered rows in each furrow with the buds facing upward. After planting, apply a layer of mixed fertilizer soil on top (made by thoroughly mixing decomposed compost and barnyard manure with human and livestock manure, burnt soil ash, etc.). The amount used is about 2000 kg per mu. Then, draw the furrow soil up to cover them, about 15-7 cm thick. About 100 kg of seed tubers are needed per mu. Properly dense planting of Pinellia ternata results in uniform seedling growth and high yield. If too dense, the seedlings grow weak and slender, and weeding is difficult; if too sparse, there are few seedlings and many weeds, and the yield is low. The covering soil should also be moderate. If too thick, emergence is difficult, and although the bulbils will be large in the future, they often form within the soil and are not easy to harvest; if too thin, the seed tubers are prone to shriveling and cannot sprout. If dry weather occurs after planting, water promptly and always keep the soil moist.
2. Bulbil propagation
Each stem and leaf of Pinellia ternata bears 1 bulbil. The quantity is sufficient, sprouting is reliable, and the maturity period is early, making them the main propagation material. In summer and autumn, when the old leaves are about to wither, the bulbils have matured and can be collected for propagation. Dig holes at a row spacing and plant spacing of 10*8 cm for dibbling, planting 2-3 grains per hole. They can also be propagated in place by covering with soil, that is, each time a batch of foliage withers, cover with soil once, to the extent that the bulbils are not exposed. At the same time, apply an appropriate amount of mixed fertilizer. This can both promote the sprouting and growth of the bulbils and add fertilizer for the mother tubers, achieving two benefits at once and helping increase yield.
3. Seed propagation
Pinellia ternata that is more than 2 years old can bloom and bear fruit successively from early summer to autumn and winter. When the spathe turns yellow and droops, collect the seeds and store them in wet sand. In early to mid-March to April of the following year, open shallow furrows on the seedbed at a row spacing of 5-7 cm for row sowing, then cover with 1 cm of fine soil after sowing, and cover with grass to keep warm and moist; seedlings can emerge in about half a month. However, the emergence rate is relatively low, so it is generally not used in production.