A Detailed Guide to Vietnamese Sophora (Shandougen) Planting Techniques and Management Methods

Vietnamese Sophora (Shandougen) is best planted in deep, loose, fertile sandy loam or loam soil. It is generally sown from late April to early May. Sow the seeds evenly in holes on the seedbed, cover with soil after sowing, water lightly, and seedlings will emerge in about half a month. After emergence, promptly remove weak and dead seedlings, fill in gaps with new seedlings in time, and transplant when the timing is right. After transplanting, simply carry out watering, fertilizing, hoeing and weeding, and pest and disease control.

1. Soil: It is suitable for growing in deep, loose and fertile conditions. When choosing a site, try to select sandy loam or loam for planting. After choosing the site, deep plow the soil and apply an appropriate amount of base fertilizer or farmyard manure, then level it and make beds 1m wide and 20cm high.

2. Sowing: Generally sow from late April to early May. Using the seed sowing method, sow the seeds evenly in holes on the seedbed, cover with soil after sowing, water lightly, and seedlings will emerge in about half a month.

3. Transplanting: After the seedlings emerge, promptly remove weak and dead seedlings, fill in gaps with new seedlings in time, and transplant when the timing is right. When transplanting, dig out the seedlings with roots and soil attached, then plant them at a spacing of 30cm between plants and 40cm between rows.

4. Management: During the growing period, keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, so as to avoid root rot; apply appropriate amounts of phosphate fertilizer and compound fertilizer; during the growing period, hoe and weed 2-3 times; promptly control pests and diseases such as southern blight, root rot, red spider mites, and scale insects.