How to Grow Polygonatum: Detailed Explanation of Planting Methods and Key Techniques

First, choose a moist, shaded plot of land, and before sowing, carry out deep plowing, apply base fertilizer, and make raised beds. Then, choose a suitable time for sowing; you can sow using rhizomes or using seeds. After sowing well, just do a good job of watering, fertilizing, cultivating, weeding, and pest prevention.

1. Site Selection

Choose a moist, shaded plot of land; soil that is loose in texture and has good water retention, such as loam or sandy loam, is suitable. Before sowing, first deep plow once, and in combination with soil preparation, apply 2000 kg of farmyard manure per mu, plow it into the soil as base fertilizer, then rake it fine and level it, and make raised beds with a bed width of 1.2 m.

2. Sowing

If sowing with rhizomes, sow in late autumn or around late March in early spring. Select 1-2 year old robust rhizomes from plants free of pests and diseases, take the young and tender part at the tip, cut it into several sections, with each section having 3-4 nodes, and let the wounds dry slightly. Plant at a row spacing of 22-24 cm, a plant spacing of 10-16 cm, and a depth of 5 cm; after covering with soil, press down lightly and water. Afterward, water once every 3-5 days to keep the soil moist.

If sowing with seeds, sow in late March. Evenly broadcast them into shallow furrows on the bed surface at a row spacing of 12-15 cm, cover with about 1.5 cm of soil, press lightly, water, and cover with a layer of grass. Remove the covering grass before emergence; when the seedlings are 6-9 cm tall, thin them appropriately where they are too dense, and transplant after 1 year.

3. Management

1. Cultivating and weeding: Carry out cultivating and weeding frequently, once each in April, June, September, and November every year; it is best to hoe shallowly and earth up appropriately, and in the later stage simply pull weeds.

2. Fertilizing: Each year, apply topdressing in combination with cultivating and weeding. After the first 3 cultivations, apply 1500 kg of farmyard manure per mu, mixed evenly with 50 kg of superphosphate and 50 kg of cake fertilizer, then open furrows between the rows and apply it, and after application cover with soil to cover the fertilizer.

3. Watering: In case of drought, or when planted in a relatively sunny and dry place, water in time, and pay attention to drainage during the rainy season.

4. Light: Polygonatum likes shade, so it can be planted under forest, in shrubland, or in shady spots on hillsides, and it can also be intercropped with corn.

5. Pest and disease prevention: Diseases include leaf spot and black spot, and pests include white grubs. Leaf spot can be controlled with a 500-fold dilution of 65% zineb wettable powder, black spot can be controlled by spraying a 1:1:100 Bordeaux mixture, and white grubs can be controlled with a 1000-fold dilution of 90% trichlorfon.