How to Grow He Shou Wu (Fallopia multiflora): Planting Methods, Timing and Key Field Management Points

SummaryPlanting time: direct sowing is from early March to early April; root tuber propagation is from February to March or from August to September. Seed selection: choose high-quality seeds free of pests and diseases. Site selection and soil preparation: choose sandy soil that is loose, fertile and close to a water source, deep-plough the soil about 30 cm in winter, and prepare the land in the spring of the 2nd year. Sowing at the right time: the sowing rate is 4-6 g per sq m. Later management: after emergence, water once every 2-3 days; 20 days after emergence, thin and fill in the seedlings.

1. Planting time

1. You can choose to carry out direct sowing from early March to early April, with a row spacing of 30-35 cm; then apply an appropriate amount of human and livestock manure water, sow the seeds evenly into the furrows, and cover with 3 cm of soil. When the seedlings grow to 5 cm, thin them, with a suitable plant spacing of about 30 cm.

2. For root tuber propagation, you can choose to dig up he shou wu root tubers from February to March or from August to September each year, then select small and medium-sized root tubers, or use the stem base of the root tuber as seed, and plant them in loose, fertile, well-drained plots. After sowing, water once to settle the roots, and normal management can resume after emergence.

2. Suitable planting areas

1. He shou wu likes to grow on hillside forest floors, in valley thickets and in rock crevices by ditches, and is suitable for planting in southern Shaanxi, southern Gansu, East China, Central China, South China, Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou.

2. The root tuber of he shou wu can be used as medicine, and it has the effects of nourishing blood and yin, moistening the intestines and relieving constipation, and dispelling wind and detoxifying.

3. Seed selection

1. First, select high-quality seeds free of pests and diseases. The seeds of he shou wu turn from white to brown, and when the inside turns black they are ripe, and at this point they need to be harvested.

2. After harvesting, dry the seeds and put them in hemp bags or sand cloth bags. During this period, store the seeds in a ventilated, dry place; do not use plastic bags to store the seeds.

4. Site selection and soil preparation

1. Choose suitable soil for planting. He shou wu is suited to sandy soil with deep soil layers, loose and fertile texture, convenient water sources, and both drainage and irrigation capacity.

2. In winter, deep-plough the soil 30 cm. After weathering by the winter wind, prepare the land in the spring of the 2nd year and make beds 100 cm wide and 20 cm high. Apply 10 kg of high-quality farmyard manure per sq m, spread it evenly over the bed, then shallow-plough it into the soil.

5. Sowing at the right time

1. The suitable sowing time for he shou wu is from early March to early April. During this period, open shallow furrows on the prepared seedling bed at a row spacing of 10-15 cm.

2. Then scatter the seeds evenly into the furrows, cover with about 1.5 cm of soil, then cover with grass material and water the soil thoroughly. Generally, the sowing rate is 4-6 g per sq m.

6. Later management

1. After sowing he shou wu, water once with a watering can at 10 a.m. or 5 p.m. every day. After emergence, water once every 2-3 days.

2. At this time, remove the grass material promptly. While keeping the bed soil moist, you can pull out weeds. 20 days after emergence, thin and fill in the seedlings; during this period, final thinning can be done at a plant spacing of 4-5 cm.