A Detailed Guide to the Latest Cultivation Methods and Precautions for Sage

1. Cultivation: Full sunlight, good ventilation, and well-drained sandy loam or deep loamy soil are best and favorable for growth. Direct-seed, 3-5 seeds per hole; after one week of germination or when the plants reach 5-10cm in height, thinning is required. Spacing 20-30cm. After the plants mature, they can be thinned and pruned again to increase the distance and grow more vigorously. Different varieties of sage require different light intensities, so this must be confirmed and understood before cultivation.

2. Propagation methods

① Seed propagation

Sowing can be done in spring and early autumn. Before sowing, to improve the germination rate and promote earlier sprouting, the seeds can first be soaked in 50°C warm water; when the temperature drops to 30°C, rinse several times with clean water, then place under a constant temperature of 25-30°C to promote germination, or soak in clean water for 24 hours before sowing. Either direct sowing or seedling transplanting may be used. Because sage seeds are small, shallow sowing is suitable. After sowing, cover with a thin layer of soil and water frequently to keep the soil moist.

② Cutting propagation

In May-June, select terminal shoots that are not too tender, 5-8 cm long, cut them off below a stem node, remove 2-3 leaves from the base, and insert them into the seedbed at a row-to-plant spacing of 5 cm x 5 cm and a depth of 2.5-3 cm. Water after inserting, and cover with plastic film to retain moisture. After 20-30 days, when new roots have emerged, transplant at a density of (45-50) cm x (25-30) cm row-to-plant spacing.

3. Field management

After transplanting, loosen the soil and weed promptly; irrigate appropriately during drought, and drain promptly after rain. During the growing season, apply topdressing 2-3 times as needed, each time about 5 kg of urea per mu. North of the Yangtze River, soil hilling is needed for overwintering in winter; generally after harvesting the aboveground part, and after watering before the winter freeze, hill up soil to a height of 20 cm, then in the following spring after the last frost, remove the soil and water to promote sprouting and growth. In South China, it can overwinter safely without covering.