When to Plant Salvia miltiorrhiza? A Detailed Guide to the Best Sowing Time

SummaryIf Salvia miltiorrhiza is planted in North China, the more suitable planting time is from mid-to-late March to early April, while if it is planted along the Yellow River basin, the more suitable planting time is around July to September. If cuttings are needed for establishment, in the north it is generally done in June to July, and in the south it is generally done in April to May, selecting healthy and vigorous branches for cutting establishment.

I. Sowing Time for Salvia miltiorrhiza Seeds

To plant Salvia miltiorrhiza in North China, it can be planted from mid-to-late March to early April on the Gregorian calendar, and along the Yellow River basin it can be planted from the 6th to the 8th lunar month. Rainfall in this season is relatively abundant, and the corn seedlings that have grown also cover the ground. Broadcasting Salvia miltiorrhiza seeds in the cornfield gives a relatively high survival rate.

II. Root Division Propagation Time for Salvia miltiorrhiza

1. At harvest in autumn, select current-year Salvia miltiorrhiza roots with a diameter of 0.7-1 cm, purplish-red color, no pests or diseases, and robust development as seed roots, place them in wet sand for storage, and in early spring of the following year in March to April, cut the seed roots into 4-6 cm small sections, and according to the specifications of 35 cm row spacing, 25 cm plant spacing, and 6 cm depth, place the cut seed roots vertically into the dug holes.

2. Place 1 small section of seed root in each hole with the head facing up, then cover with about 2 cm of soil. The soil cover should not be too thick, otherwise it will affect emergence. On average, about 100 jin of seed roots can be used per mu. Using Salvia miltiorrhiza root sections for planting results in relatively late flowering, and it is difficult to harvest seeds in the planting year, but the roots grow relatively quickly and the medicinal material yield is also very high.

III. Cutting Establishment Time for Salvia miltiorrhiza

1. In the north, June to July can be chosen, and in the south, April to May can be chosen. Cut healthy and disease-free Salvia miltiorrhiza branches into 13-16 cm small sections. The cut at the tail end should be close to the stem node and shaped like a horseshoe. Remove the leaves at the tail end, and according to the specifications of 20 cm row spacing and 10 cm plant spacing, insert the cuttings obliquely into the seedbed.

2. The depth should be 1/2-2/3 of the cutting, then cover with soil and press gently. Keep 1-2 leaves above the ground. You can cut and insert at the same time. Cuttings should not be left for long, otherwise it will affect the survival rate of the cuttings. After inserting the cuttings, water them to keep the soil moist, and provide appropriate shading during this period. Generally after 15-20 days, new roots will grow from the stem nodes at the bottom. When the roots grow to 3 cm, transplant them into the field.

IV. Cost of Planting One Mu of Salvia miltiorrhiza (excluding land contract fees)

1. Seedling cost: 8000 Salvia miltiorrhiza seedlings are planted per mu. The market price of high-quality seedlings is 0.06 yuan each, so the seedling cost per mu is 480 yuan.

2. Plowing cost: deep plow the land once before planting and rotary till the soil once, with a cost of about 80 yuan per mu.

3. Fertilizer and pesticide cost: use 100 jin of compound fertilizer per mu as base fertilizer, costing about 150 yuan, and topdressing cost is about 50 yuan, totaling about 200 yuan. Salvia miltiorrhiza has relatively few pests and diseases, and during the growth period, prevention is mainly used, so the cost can be ignored.

4. Other costs: labor costs for planting, harvesting, and drying, as well as expenses not budgeted for due to different planting methods, planting times, environmental conditions, and other reasons, calculated on average as 800 yuan.

V. Profit from Planting One Mu of Salvia miltiorrhiza

Plant Salvia miltiorrhiza in late autumn or early spring, with a growth period of 1 year, and harvest in autumn of that year. If no natural disaster occurs in the planting year, each plant can produce an average of 50 g of dried goods. Taking 8000 plants per mu as an example, calculated at a survival rate of 90%, about 720 jin of dried Salvia miltiorrhiza can be harvested per mu. Calculated at the current market price of 28-36 yuan per 1 kg, the income per mu is about 6000-6500 yuan. After deducting planting costs, the net profit per mu is about 3300-4800 yuan.