Detailed Guide to Polygala tenuifolia Planting Technology and Cultivation Key Points

Polygala tenuifolia is a commonly used Chinese medicinal herb. Its medicinal value is particularly high, and it is regarded as a superior-grade medicinal material. It tastes slightly bitter and has particularly good therapeutic effects on treating cough with phlegm, forgetfulness, calming the nerves, and many other symptoms. So how is Polygala tenuifolia planted? Below, let's join the editor to learn how to plant Polygala tenuifolia!

Polygala tenuifolia Planting Technology

Site selection and land preparation

According to the growth habits of Polygala tenuifolia, choose loam or sandy loam with high, dry terrain and good drainage for planting, or general farmland can also be selected for planting. Because Polygala tenuifolia is a perennial plant, enough base fertilizer must be applied at one time when plowing. Apply 2500--3000kg of fully decomposed barnyard manure per 667 sq m, deep plow 25--30cm, and 50kg of superphosphate can be applied when plowing, then rake level and fine, and make flat beds.

2. Planting technology

Seed propagation, direct sowing. Generally, water the prepared plot thoroughly, and sow after the water has completely seeped down. The sowing rate is 2kg per 667 sq m. Before sowing, soak the seeds in water for 12 hours, remove them and mix with 3--5 times fine sand, open shallow furrows on the bed surface at a row spacing of 18--21cm, evenly scatter the seeds into the furrows, and cover with soil. After sowing, press slightly and water. After spring sowing, seedlings emerge in about 15 days; after winter sowing, seedlings emerge in the spring of the second year.

3. Field management

(1) Thinning and replanting. When the seedlings are 3--5cm high, thin them at a plant spacing of 3--6cm, and replant in missing spots in time.

(2) Loosening soil and weeding. Polygala tenuifolia plants are short, and seedlings grow slowly, so attention should be paid to loosening soil and weeding, and weeds should be pulled out as soon as they appear. Loosen the soil shallowly, use a rake to lightly and evenly loosen the ground surface, do this twice in succession, keep the soil surface loose and moist, and avoid weeds covering the plants.

(3) Watering and fertilizing. Polygala tenuifolia likes dryness. Apart from appropriate watering during the seed germination period and seedling stage, it generally does not need frequent watering in the later growth stage. Topdress once each in winter and spring every year and between April and May, mainly with phosphorus fertilizer. Apply 20--25kg of cake fertilizer or 20kg of superphosphate per 667 sq m.

(4) Foliar topdressing. From mid-June to mid-July every year, spray 50--60kg of 1% potassium sulfate or 80--100kg of 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate per 667 sq m, once every 10 days, for 2--3 consecutive sprays. The best spraying time is after 5 p.m. Spraying potassium fertilizer can enhance the disease resistance of Polygala tenuifolia, promote root growth and expansion, and further increase root yield.

Propagation Methods of Polygala tenuifolia

1. Seed collection: Polygala tenuifolia is propagated by seed, either by direct sowing or by raising seedlings and transplanting. Because the capsules of Polygala tenuifolia crack when mature and the seeds easily fall to the ground, the seeds should be collected when the fruit matures from July to August.

2. Field direct sowing: Spring sowing is done in mid-to-late April, and autumn sowing is done in mid-to-late October or early November. On the prepared land, evenly scatter the seeds into furrows, cover with 1--2cm of soil, and drill in shallow furrows at a row spacing of 20--23cm. The sowing rate is 11.25--15kg per hectare. After sowing, press slightly and water thoroughly. About half a month after sowing, seedlings begin to emerge; autumn sowing emerges in the spring of the following year.

3. Seedling raising and transplanting: In early-to-mid March, drill on the seedbed, cover with 1cm of soil after sowing, keep the seedbed moist, and the seedbed temperature should preferably be 15--20°C. Seedlings emerge about 10 days after sowing. When the seedlings are about 6cm high, they can be planted. Transplanting should be done on cloudy and rainy days or in the afternoon, at a row and plant spacing of 22*5cm.

Pest and Disease Control of Polygala tenuifolia

Leaf blight

Damage characteristics: The lower leaves of the plant begin to develop the disease, gradually spreading upward. In the early stage, small brown round spots appear on the leaf surface, then the lesions continuously expand, the center becomes grayish brown, and finally the leaves scorch and the plant dies.

Control method: Spray the leaves with 800-1000 times dilution of mancozeb or 800 times dilution of ridomil. Generally spray once every 7 days, and two sprays can control the damage.

Aphids

Damage characteristics: They harm the tender leaves of the plant from late May to early June.

Control method: Spray with 2000 times dilution of 40% dimethoate emulsifiable concentrate to kill them. Spray once a week, and 2 sprays can control the damage.

Bean blister beetle

Damage characteristics: It occurs from June to August and harms leaves and tender stems.

Control method: Spray with 5-10 mg/L deltamethrin to kill them. Spray twice in succession, 5-7 days apart, and all can be killed.

Market Benefit Analysis of Polygala tenuifolia

Polygala tenuifolia is a bulk medicinal material with large demand. Due to massive digging, wild resources are increasingly depleted. Polygala tenuifolia commodities are increasingly scarce, especially the medium- and high-grade Polygala tenuifolia tubes for export, which are now rarely seen. Polygala tenuifolia flesh was only 7--8 yuan/kg in 1985, and has now reached 30--58 yuan/kg. The price of export-standard Polygala tenuifolia tubes is as high as over 95 yuan, and there is a trend of continued increase. In the second year, Polygala tenuifolia can produce 7--10kg of seeds per mu. In the third year, seed production can reach 10--15kg/mu. It produces 250--300kg of medicinal material. The total output over three years exceeds 10,000 yuan per mu, with an average annual output of more than 3,000 yuan per mu. Artificial cultivation of Polygala tenuifolia has matured, and there are no technical problems. Polygala tenuifolia has been a best-selling medicinal material for export for many years. The depletion of wild Polygala tenuifolia resources makes it a good variety for developing medicinal material planting. Plant characteristics: Perennial herbaceous plant, plant height 30-50cm, root cylindrical and slender, brownish yellow. Aboveground stems clustered from the base, upright or slanting, single leaves linear and alternate, hairless. Raceme, born at the top of the stem, flowers small and sparsely arranged, greenish white, with purple edges, seeds ovate, grayish black, with white down. Flowering period April-July, fruiting period May-August.

Through the above content, we have learned about the planting technology of Polygala tenuifolia, and I believe everyone has gained some understanding. The medicinal properties of Polygala tenuifolia are particularly good. I believe many people have heard of it. It has good effects on many symptoms and is known as an important medicine for nourishing life. From this, it can be seen that the planting prospects of Polygala tenuifolia are very broad.