Detailed Guide to the Planting Time and Methods of Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza)
SummaryDanshen root propagation time: March to April in spring. Danshen cutting propagation time: June to July in northern regions, April to May in southern regions. Danshen seed propagation time: sow in March. Danshen planting method: suitable for planting in slightly acidic or slightly alkaline sandy loam soil, apply 5000-10000 kg of fertilizer per mu, plant 2-3 Danshen seedlings per hole, and after planting simply water the soil thoroughly.
I. Danshen Planting Time
1. Danshen root propagation time
After harvesting Danshen in autumn, select Danshen roots with a diameter of 0.7-1 cm, purplish-red in color, free of pests and diseases, and fully developed throughout the year, store them in moist sand until spring, then in March to April of the following spring, cut the roots and place them vertically in the holes.
2. Danshen cutting propagation time
(1) In northern regions, from June to July, and in southern regions, from April to May, take healthy, pest- and disease-free Danshen branches and cut them into 13-16 cm long sections; the lower cut needs to be close to the stem and have a horseshoe shape, and according to a row spacing of 20 cm, remove the lower leaves of the Danshen 10 cm up.
(2) Insert the cuttings obliquely into the seedbed, going 1/2-2/3 of the cutting deep, then firm the soil, leaving 1-2 leaves above the ground; after cutting, they cannot be left for a long time, otherwise it is not conducive to the survival rate of the cuttings.
3. Danshen seed propagation time
Generally, Danshen seeds are planted in the seedbed in March; sowing can be done either in rows or at the time of sowing.
II. Danshen Planting Methods
1. Land selection and land preparation
To plant Danshen, choose slightly acidic or slightly alkaline sandy loam soil, apply 5000-10000 kg of fertilizer per mu of soil, and deep plow the soil to 30-40 cm, reduce and level it to 90 cm wide, and level it to 24 cm wide; if the soil is relatively dry during sowing, water the soil until thoroughly wet.
2. Propagation methods
(1) Danshen generally has several planting methods such as seeds, cuttings, division, and root sections; at present, root propagation has relatively high yield, and it is mainly based on seedling transplanting and branching.
(2) For those planted with seeds, after the Danshen matures from July to August, harvest the seeds in batches, then across the entire seedbed, dig shallow furrows 1.5 cm deep according to a row spacing of 12-15 cm, then evenly scatter the seeds into the furrows, fill and level the soil, and keep the soil moist during this period; after sowing, they will germinate in 10 to 15 days.
(3) When the Danshen seedlings grow to 9-12 cm, transplant them to the field, according to a row spacing of 24-30 cm, a spacing of 9-12 cm, and a hole depth of 9 cm; plant 2-3 Danshen seedlings per hole, and after planting water the soil thoroughly and gently firm it to improve the survival rate of planting.