How to Grow Paris polyphylla? A Detailed Guide to the Key Cultivation Techniques

It can be grown in sandy soil and loam soil with an average annual temperature of 13-18°C and high organic matter and humus content, especially along rivers, beside ravines and on shaded hillsides; the main propagation method is by seed, though rhizomes can also be used; after the seeds sprout, attention must be paid to thinning, filling in gaps, shading, intertillage, weeding, watering, fertilizing, earthing up, removing flower stems, pest and disease control, and other tasks.

1. Soil: It can be grown in sandy soil and loam soil with an average annual temperature of 13-18°C and high organic matter and humus content, especially along rivers, beside ravines and on shaded hillsides. After selecting the plot, prepare the land into beds 120-150cm wide, apply plenty of base fertilizer, then hoe it over once more so the fertilizer and soil are evenly mixed.

2. Propagation: Generally seed propagation is the main method, though rhizomes can also be used.

(1) Seed propagation: Either direct sowing or seedling transplanting can be used. Direct sowing is carried out in mid to late May after thorough rain; before sowing, soak the seeds in cold water for 24 hours, mix with plant ash, and sow 2-3 seeds per hole, then cover with 2-3cm of fertilizer soil made of half fine manure and half fine soil; water promptly if the soil is dry, and seedlings will emerge in 7-10 days. Seedling transplanting is carried out in early April; after sowing, cover with 3cm of soil and 2cm of fine manure, water thoroughly and cover with plastic film; seedlings emerge in 5-7 days, and can be transplanted after 1 month of growing.

(2) Rhizome propagation: In autumn and winter, dig up robust rhizomes free of pests and diseases, store them in sand in a cool, dry place, and take them out in mid to early April of the following year; according to the features of sprout-capable bud remnants and bud scars, cut them into small sections, each section ensuring it has 1 bud scar; after cutting, dry them properly and mix with plant ash, then plant them in rows in a seedbed as when sowing, and cover with plastic film; after 15-20 days when roots and shoots have grown, transplant them to the field in mid to late May according to the direct sowing spacing.

3. Management: Attention must be paid to thinning, filling in gaps, shading, intertillage, weeding, watering, fertilizing, earthing up, removing flower stems, pest and disease control, and other tasks.

(1) Thinning, filling in gaps, shading: In mid to late May, thin the directly sown plot; fill in gaps while thinning, and small seedlings can be fully used when filling gaps; the plants must be shaded, and a light transmittance of 40%-50% is best throughout the whole growth period; therefore, shading measures must be taken after seedling emergence and transplanting.

(2) Intertillage, weeding: From late May to early June there is a lot of heavy rain, and the soil tends to harden, so loosen the soil with timely intertillage, and always pay attention to removing weeds; hoe frequently and shallowly to avoid damaging the roots.

(3) Watering, fertilizing, earthing up: The soil must be kept moist; water promptly in dry seasons, spray water at intervals at ordinary times, and drain promptly in the rainy season; apply heavy base fertilizer before planting, apply a top dressing once in early June at the roots, then earth up heavily, and the soil used for earthing up must be loose.

(4) Removing flower stems: To reduce nutrient consumption and concentrate nutrients on the growth of the underground tubers, when flower stems appear in May-June, all flower stems should be cut off promptly except those kept for seed.

(5) Pest and disease control: The main diseases include damping-off, sclerotinia rot, black spot and stem rot; the main pest is the scarab beetle; control them early.