How to Grow Saposhnikovia divaricata? A Complete Guide to High-Yield Cultivation Techniques

Saposhnikovia divaricata prefers a warm and humid climate, tolerates drought but fears waterlogging, and grows poorly in excessively moist conditions. A loose, fertile, well-drained sandy loam with a deep soil layer is most suitable.

1. Land preparation and fertilization

Saposhnikovia divaricata is a deep-rooted plant, so during cultivation a site with a deep soil layer should be chosen. When preparing the land, sufficient basal fertilizer must be applied: 3000--5000 kg of high-quality barnyard manure, 50 kg of superphosphate, and 15 kg of potassium fertilizer per mu, with deep plowing of more than 30 cm, then raking level and fine to make beds.

2. Sowing method

Saposhnikovia divaricata seeds generally do not emerge in the same year they are sown, so the seeds must be pre-germinated. First place the seeds on the ground and rub them lightly so the seed coat is slightly cracked, then pour them into warm water at about 35°C and soak for 2--3 hours. Remove them, put them in a basin and mix with a little wet sand, then place in an environment of 20--25°C to germinate. Sow when the seeds show white sprouts.

3. Timely sowing

There are two sowing seasons: spring sowing and autumn sowing. Spring sowing is in March--April, and autumn sowing is in September--October. Autumn sowing emerges early and evenly: 1 week after sowing (20°C), and 2 weeks after sowing (15--17°C).

4. Planting specifications

In the prepared bed, open furrows at a row spacing of 30 cm for drilling, with a depth of 1--2 cm and a sowing rate of 2.50 kg per mu. After sowing, cover with 1 cm of soil and press lightly (tread firm with the foot). If conditions permit, cover with grass to preserve moisture.

5. Rhizome propagation

In early spring, dig out the ungerminated rhizomes of Saposhnikovia divaricata from the seed field left from the previous year, and cut root segments 4--5 cm long. These can be used either for raising seedlings or planted directly in the field. Dig holes at a row spacing of 30 cm and a plant spacing of 20 cm, and place one rhizome segment in each hole. In dry conditions, water when planting, then water again after about 1 week. When the soil surface is slightly dry, hoe shallowly, which helps emergence.

6. Field management

6.1 Thinning and final thinning One month after emergence, thin the seedlings. When the seedlings are 10--15 cm tall, final thinning is done at a plant spacing of 10--15 cm.

6.2 Weeding and earthing up When weeds appear, loosen the soil and hoe before June. After July, when the rows close, you cannot enter the field to weed. Earth up before the rainy season to prevent lodging. Before the ground freezes, earth up again to protect the roots. After winter begins, cover with a layer of barnyard manure, and the following spring break the manure into fine pieces and apply it into the field.

6.3 Topdressing and irrigation From sowing to emergence, suitable moisture is needed. When the seedlings are more than 10 cm tall, the roots go deep underground and have strong drought resistance, so water as little as possible. In the rainy season, pay attention to drainage to prevent water accumulation and root rot. If the basal fertilizer is plentiful and of good quality and the plants grow vigorously, no topdressing is needed in the first year. In the second year, when growth resumes in early spring, apply 1000 kg of compost or human manure and urine per mu, and 25 kg of superphosphate or compound fertilizer, applied in furrows between the rows; alternatively, use 20 kg of diammonium sulfate alone plus phosphate fertilizer.

6.4 Removing bolting stems In directly sown fields, plants generally do not bolt and flower in the same year. They bolt and flower in June--July of the second year. Except for seed-production fields, any bolting should be removed promptly, because after Saposhnikovia divaricata flowers, the rhizome becomes lignified and hollow, with low nutrient content, making it difficult to use medicinally.

7. Pest and disease control

Root rot: water the roots of diseased plants with 5% lime water, and spray with 1000 times dilution of 50% thiophanate-methyl; powdery mildew: spray with 0.20--0.30 degree Baume lime-sulfur mixture or 1000 times dilution of 50% thiophanate-methyl; yellow swallowtail butterfly: spray with 1000--1500 times dilution of 80% dichlorvos, once every 5--7 days, for 2--3 consecutive sprays, or spray with 300 times dilution of Bacillus thuringiensis; fennel borer: spray in the early morning or evening with 800 times dilution of 90% trichlorfon or 1000 times dilution of 80% dichlorvos; for severe underground pests, seed treatment can be done with 50% phoxim emulsifiable concentrate at 0.10% of the seed amount, or use dichlorvos emulsifiable concentrate mixed with a small amount of wheat bran for trapping and killing.

8. Harvesting and processing

Dig in spring before sprouting and emergence, or in winter. When digging, open a furrow on one side of the bed to prevent breaking the roots. After digging, remove the soil, sun-dry until half dry, remove the fibrous roots, then sun-dry until 90% dry. Tie into small bundles according to length, then sun-dry until completely dry before use as medicine.