What are the propagation methods for growing Salvia miltiorrhiza (red sage)?
Seed propagation:
Broadcasting is generally used. The best sowing times are from Grain in Ear to Summer Solstice and from End of Heat to White Dew of the same year the seeds are collected. The seedbed should be land with a slightly higher elevation, loose and fertile soil, and convenient watering. When raising seedlings in mountainous areas, it is best to choose a hillside at the foot of a mountain facing east or southeast as the seedbed to reduce sun exposure and help seedling emergence. First plow the seedbed and use rotted human and animal manure as base fertilizer. Break up the soil finely and make raised beds 1.3-1.66 m wide. Then sow the seeds evenly and shallowly on the bed surface. After sowing, tread lightly once with the foot so the seeds adhere closely to the surface soil (no need to cover with soil), cover with a thin layer of wheat straw, and sprinkle water frequently to keep it moist. When the seedlings have 3-5 true leaves, thin them if they are found to be too dense. The thinned seedlings can be temporarily planted elsewhere and cultivated. During this period, pay attention to watering and promptly apply 1-2 topdressings of dilute human and animal manure to promote seedling growth. The suitable time for transplanting is from late October to early November of the same year. Before transplanting, open holes on the prepared bed surface at a spacing of 25 cm × 25 cm, with the hole depth depending on the length of the seedling roots. Plant 1-2 plants per hole. The planting depth should be such that the heart bud is slightly exposed; do not plant too deep, and do not let the root crown be exposed above the soil. After planting, cover with soil until the holes are level, press lightly, and water promptly to settle the roots. Salvia miltiorrhiza transplanted early roots early, and by the time the cold winter arrives it has already survived, so it turns green early the following year. As far as possible, do not delay transplanting until the severe cold season.
Root division propagation:
Carry this out from Start of Spring to Awakening of Insects. Select vigorous new roots about 1 cm in diameter for planting. Before planting, first cut the roots into 5-7 cm long root segments. The planting density is 27 cm between rows and 20 cm between plants. Open furrows on the bed surface, place the root segments upright in the furrows, taking care not to reverse the upper and lower ends, and cover with level soil after planting. Seedlings generally emerge after Grain Rain. With root division propagation, flowering is later, and it is difficult to harvest seeds in the same year, but the roots grow faster.
Division propagation:
From Start of Winter to the Awakening of Insects of the following year, when harvesting home-grown Salvia miltiorrhiza (generally between Winter Solstice and Start of Spring), select vigorous, disease-free plants, cut off the thick roots for medicinal use, and use roots thinner than a cigarette together with the rhizome crown and heart leaves as planting material for cultivation. Wild Salvia miltiorrhiza can also be dug up and transplanted together with roots and seedlings. Large seedlings can be divided into 2-4 plants according to the natural growth condition of the buds and roots, and then planted.
Cutting method:
Around Qingming, select thick, strong stems, cut them into sections with 2-3 nodes each, trim off part of the leaves, and insert the cuttings into the prepared bed to a depth of 6-10 cm, leaving the buds slightly exposed above the soil surface. Press the soil firmly and water immediately. After that, spray water in the morning and evening with a sprayer to keep the bed surface moist.