Detailed Explanation of the Planting Methods and Key Technical Points for the Medicinal Herb Saposhnikovia divaricata

Saposhnikovia divaricata is a common medicinal herb in our country with a very wide range of uses, and many people rely on growing it to increase their income, so how do you plant the medicinal herb Saposhnikovia divaricata?

1. Site selection and land preparation

Saposhnikovia divaricata is cold-resistant and drought-resistant, but it dislikes waterlogging or overly wet soil, so when planting, try to choose plots with relatively high terrain and facing the sun, rather than low-lying, damp places. Generally, sandy loam with deep soil, loose and fertile texture, and good drainage is suitable for planting; soil that is relatively heavy in clay or has relatively high acidity or alkalinity is not suitable for planting. After choosing the land, plow the soil deeply, and apply 3000-4000 kg of farmyard manure and 20 kg of calcium phosphate per mu, plow them deeply into the soil, and then make raised beds.

2. Sowing

(1) Sowing time: spring or autumn. Spring sowing is generally in March-April, while autumn sowing is in September-October.

(2) Seed treatment: before sowing, the seeds must first be treated by soaking them in warm water for 24 hours so they fully absorb water before sowing.

(3) Sowing method: when sowing, generally drill sowing in furrows opened on the bed surface can be used, with furrow depth of 2-3 cm. Sow the seeds in, then cover with soil and press firm, water to keep the soil moist, and seedlings can emerge within one month. Generally, 2-2.2 kg of seed is used per mu.

3. Field management

(1) Thinning and replanting: when the seedlings have grown to 4-5 cm, thin them promptly, controlling the plant spacing at 5-7 cm; when the seedlings have grown to more than 10 cm, finalize the spacing promptly, controlling the plant spacing at about 15 cm.

(2) Cultivation and weeding: after final thinning, carry out cultivation and weeding 2-3 times each year to keep the field clean, so that weeds do not affect the growth of the plants. During cultivation, hilling can also be done at the same time. In summer, hilling prevents the plants from lodging, and in winter, hilling helps the root system overwinter.

(3) Fertilizer requirements: June-August is the peak growing season for the plants, so topdressing should be done 2 times. For each topdressing, human and livestock manure and urine, and superphosphate can be used, applied in furrows opened between the rows. In addition, Saposhnikovia divaricata should have its bolting stems removed promptly. Except for those kept for seed, two-year-old plants should all have their bolting stems removed. Saposhnikovia divaricata has strong drought tolerance, so irrigation is not needed. During rainy periods, drain water promptly to prevent waterlogging, so as not to damage the root system.

(4) Pest and disease control: during the growing period of Saposhnikovia divaricata, powdery mildew, Loxostege palealis, and Papilio machaon appear. Powdery mildew mainly develops during the high-temperature period in summer and autumn, and mainly damages the leaves. Applying more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer during planting can improve disease resistance, and strengthening ventilation and light penetration between plants can prevent this disease. When it occurs, spray thiophanate for control. Loxostege palealis and Papilio machaon mainly damage the leaves, buds, and fruits of the planting, and can be controlled by spraying trichlorfon or dichlorvos.

Overall, the medicinal herb Saposhnikovia divaricata is still quite easy to grow. As long as you choose good land, select good seeds, sow evenly into the soil, and finally do a good job with management tasks such as water and fertilizer, thinning, and loosening the soil, it will be fine.