A Detailed Guide to Panax notoginseng Planting Methods and Key Techniques

Panax notoginseng is a common traditional Chinese medicinal herb with a wide range of uses. Wenshan Prefecture in Yunnan has a long history of cultivating Panax notoginseng, with large yields and good quality, so how do you plant Panax notoginseng?

1. Land preparation and fertilization

The planting area for Panax notoginseng is generally chosen on slightly sloping land with an adequate water source nearby, which makes drainage and irrigation convenient. Sandy soil or loam is the most suitable soil structure. The planting site usually needs to lie fallow for one year before Panax notoginseng can be planted. Once the plot is chosen, deep plowing is needed during land preparation. Before planting, base fertilizer must be applied to the land, using about 5000 jin of farmyard manure per mu, and the soil must be disinfected and sterilized before fertilizing. Finally, once drainage ditches are made, planting can begin.

2. Sowing and raising seedlings

Panax notoginseng is best sown in autumn, from October to November. Before sowing, the seeds of Panax notoginseng need to be simply sorted to remove the shriveled seeds and to increase the later germination rate.

After the seeds are selected, sow them in holes at a row spacing of 6 cm to raise seedlings. After sowing, cover with a layer of fine soil, water an appropriate amount, and then cover with a layer of rice straw. This keeps the soil moist and also provides an insulating effect. During seedling management, pay attention to watering and weeding. When the temperature is relatively high, water frequently, generally once every 3-5 days. When there is a lot of rain, drain promptly, and deal with weeds in the field in time. Only then can seedling raising succeed!

3. Field management

(1) Transplanting seedlings: Generally, one year must pass before seedlings can be transplanted. Be careful when pulling up the seedlings so as not to damage their roots. When selecting seedlings, remove weak and diseased ones, then plant them at a row spacing of 20 cm and a plant spacing of 15 cm.

(2) Later management: After planting, water promptly, as this can increase the survival rate of Panax notoginseng. Then, when the summer sun is strong, build a shade shed so as not to affect the growth of Panax notoginseng.

4. Pest and disease control

Common pests and diseases of Panax notoginseng include damping-off disease, anthracnose, root rot, aphids and scale insects, so you need to walk around the field more often. When you find related pests or diseases appearing, be sure to go to a pharmacy and buy chemicals to deal with them.

In the process of planting Panax notoginseng, site selection is a rather key step. Everyone must be careful not to choose clay for cultivation.