Tetrastigma hemsleyanum planting techniques and conditions: growing years and harvest time directly affect medicinal efficacy

AbstractTetrastigma hemsleyanum prefers shade over sun, tolerates drought but should not be watered too much, grows best at a temperature of around 25°C, and requires soil rich in humus. Propagation methods include seed propagation and cutting propagation; pay attention to the row spacing when planting out, loosen the soil manually after the plants survive, and apply fertilizer appropriately. Pruning can be done in winter. Tetrastigma hemsleyanum has strong disease resistance and few pests, but attention should still be paid to preventing and controlling mold disease.

Climatic conditions for growing Tetrastigma hemsleyanum

Tetrastigma hemsleyanum likes a cool climate, so it is suitable for planting in spring and autumn. The suitable growing temperature for Tetrastigma hemsleyanum is around 25°C, while in winter, when the temperature drops to 10°C, its growth stalls. This temperature is not suitable for the growth of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum. Growing Tetrastigma hemsleyanum does not require much water, as it tolerates drought, so there is no need to water it frequently.

Soil conditions for growing Tetrastigma hemsleyanum

Tetrastigma hemsleyanum is not strict about soil requirements; it is enough to plant it in loam rich in humus or containing lime. Tetrastigma hemsleyanum is very easy to grow, can resist disease on its own and has few pests, and most importantly it has strong shade tolerance and is very cold-resistant, with great adaptability. If you want a high survival rate, good coverage and fast growth for Tetrastigma hemsleyanum, it can be planted as ground cover in a shady, damp outdoor environment.

Propagation techniques

The simplest propagation method for Tetrastigma hemsleyanum is seed propagation, but it is generally grown by cutting propagation. Cuttings can be taken in spring and summer, but the best season for cutting propagation is spring. First, select healthy branches, cut them into cuttings about 14cm long, insert two thirds of the length of the branch diagonally into the seedbed, then press firmly and water to keep it moist.

After planting, wait about 30-40 days for Tetrastigma hemsleyanum to grow roots and leaves, at which point planting out can begin. For planting out, open holes at a row and plant spacing of 100×100 cm, plant 2-3 plants per hole, press firmly, water thoroughly to settle the roots, and scatter in an appropriate amount of calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizer and plant ash, so that Tetrastigma hemsleyanum can grow stably.

Field management

1. After the planted Tetrastigma hemsleyanum survives, manual weeding and soil loosening can be carried out, and a small amount of compound fertilizer can also be applied to stimulate the seedlings. To ensure the medicinal efficacy of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum, herbicides are prohibited during the growing process, and chemical fertilizers should be used as little as possible. When the vines of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum grow to 35-40 cm, a trellis should be set up to guide the vines to climb.

2. In spring and summer, fertilization for Tetrastigma hemsleyanum is mainly by sprinkling human manure or applying chemical fertilizer, while in autumn and winter, compost or barnyard manure can be applied in ring-shaped trenches, which also allows for earthing up. Tetrastigma hemsleyanum is cultivated and weeded 3-4 times each year, and in winter, overly dense weak branches and dead branches should be properly pruned away.

3. Tetrastigma hemsleyanum has strong disease resistance and basically no diseases; the main disease is mold disease, in which leaves with small black spots are affected leaves. To prevent and control it, use a 55-600 times dilution of 65% zineb, or a 1:1:150 Bordeaux mixture, or spray thiophanate to prevent and control it, and also pay attention to drainage and ventilation.

4. Tetrastigma hemsleyanum prefers shade over sun; if exposed to direct sunlight for a long time, it will not survive. Therefore, in late spring, summer and early autumn, about 60% of sunlight should be blocked as appropriate, so that Tetrastigma hemsleyanum does not fail to survive. However, after autumn, in winter and in early spring, Tetrastigma hemsleyanum needs a slightly higher light intensity, which enables its tuberous roots to grow and increases its yield. Controlling light intensity, harvesting at the right time, fertilizing reasonably and regulating humidity all play a key role in increasing the yield of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum tuberous roots, and can improve its quality to achieve the best medicinal efficacy.

5. The medicinal value of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum depends on its growing years and harvest time. When the color of the vine turns brown, it can be harvested; also observe the color of the tuberous roots. If the skin color of the tuberous roots is golden yellow or brown, it means Tetrastigma hemsleyanum has entered the mature stage.

The best harvesting period is each year from the Winter Solstice to Awakening of Insects; this period is the dormant period of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum. The Tetrastigma hemsleyanum harvested at this time has the best quality, with a starch content as high as 70% and better medicinal efficacy.