A detailed explanation of new Polygonatum (Huangjing) planting techniques: master the scientific cultivation method
Many people perhaps do not know what Solomon's seal is, and it is hard to tell what it is just from its name. In fact, it is a fairly common Chinese medicinal herb, with many uses in daily life, and it has many medicinal benefits for the human body.
What is Solomon's seal
Solomon's seal (scientific name: Polygonatum sibiricum), also known as Ji Tou Huang Jing, Huang Ji Cai, Bi Guan Cai, Zhua Zi Shen, Lao Hu Jiang, and Ji Zhua Shen. It is a plant of the genus Polygonatum, with horizontal rhizomes, cylindrical in shape, and enlarged nodes. The leaves are whorled and sessile. It is a medicinal plant with the effects of tonifying the spleen and moistening the lungs to promote fluid production. Solomon's seal is a plant of the Liliaceae family, and is the dried rhizome of Polygonatum odoratum or Polygonatum kingianum. It is neutral in nature and sweet in taste, and has functions such as tonifying the spleen and moistening the lungs, nourishing yin and supplementing qi. It mainly treats symptoms such as weak spleen and stomach, fatigue and lack of strength, palpitations and shortness of breath, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Its liquid extract can be used to treat foot fungus. Solomon's seal is distributed across the northern provinces and regions of China, as well as Anhui, Zhejiang and Gansu. Polygonatum odoratum is mainly distributed in Shaanxi, Gansu and the southern part of the Northeast region. Polygonatum kingianum is distributed in Guizhou, Yunnan, Guangxi, Sichuan and other places.
Site selection and land preparation for Solomon's seal
For planting Solomon's seal, choose relatively moist and fertile forest land or mountain land, with forest-edge land being most suitable. It must be free of water accumulation and saline-alkali effects, and soil that is fertile, loose and rich in humus, preferably sandy soil, is best. Thin soil, dry land and sandy land are not suitable for planting. Land preparation requires deep plowing of the soil to more than 30 cm, then leveling and raking fine to make beds. The bed surface is 120 cm wide, and the bed height is 10~15 cm. Apply sufficient base fertilizer within the bed, with high-quality decomposed farmyard manure at 4000 kg/mu, evenly applied into the bed soil, then deep plow 30 cm again so that the fertilizer and soil are fully mixed, then level and rake fine before sowing.
Propagation methods for Solomon's seal
In the seed reservation field, select healthy plants free of pests and diseases, and dig up the rhizomes in autumn or early spring. If dug in autumn, they need to be properly stored. If dug in early spring, directly cut them into small sections 5~7 cm long, cutting each section according to 2~3 nodes, then treat the wounds with plant ash, and after drying and the sap has set, plant immediately. Spring planting is in early April, and autumn planting is carried out in early to mid-September to October. On the prepared bed surface, open horizontal furrows at a row spacing of 25 cm, with a furrow depth of 6~8 cm. Place the seed roots with the bud eyes facing upward, arrange them along the furrow, and place one section flat every 10~12 cm, then cover with fine soil 5~6 cm thick and press firmly. For fields with poor soil moisture, water thoroughly once after planting. For autumn planting, cover the bed surface with a layer of manure or compost before the soil freezes.
Field management of Solomon's seal
Each intertillage and weeding should be done with shallow hoeing to avoid damaging the roots. Each year, carry out topdressing in combination with intertillage, applying high-quality human and livestock manure at 1000~1500 kg/mu each time. Before winter each year, apply high-quality farmyard manure again at 1200~1500 kg/mu, mixed with 50 kg of superphosphate and 50 kg of cake fertilizer, mix evenly, apply in furrows, then water. In dry weather, water in time, and in the rainy season prevent water accumulation and drain waterlogged areas in time. Remove the flower buds in time before the flower buds form. The main disease is leaf spot, and the main pests are cutworms and grubs.
Harvesting and processing of Solomon's seal
Harvesting in autumn is preferable. For rhizome propagation, dig and harvest 2~3 years after planting, and for seed propagation, dig and harvest 3~4 years after planting. After digging up the rhizomes, remove the stems and leaves, shake off the soil, cut off the fibrous roots, wash clean with water, place in a steamer and steam for 10~20 minutes. After steaming until fully penetrated, take them out and sun-dry while kneading until completely dry, and they become the commodity. Generally, the yield is 400~500 kg per mu, and high yield can reach 600 kg. Qualified products are those with a sweet taste and no bitterness, no white center, no fibrous roots, no mildew, no insect damage, no pesticides, and residue not exceeding standards. Large tubers, plump and glossy yellow, with a semi-transparent cross-section are considered superior.
As for the planting of Solomon's seal, judging from the current market conditions in China, its cultivation is still not very widespread. China is a major country of traditional Chinese medicine culture, and the culture of traditional Chinese medicine has continued for many years from ancient times to the present. Therefore, traditional Chinese medicine is already deeply rooted in China, so the cultivation of traditional Chinese medicine in China is still relatively common.