A Complete Analysis of the Latest Rhodiola Planting Methods

Rhodiola rosea is a perennial herbaceous plant and a widely used traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is not only edible, but also has excellent beauty and skin-care effects. Many skincare products now include Rhodiola rosea extract, giving it relatively high economic value. Many people want to grow it, but do not know how to begin. Take a look below at its planting methods with the editor.

1. Site selection

Wild Rhodiola rosea generally grows on sunny hillsides, in rock crevices, in grass clumps, or in shrub thickets, and has strong environmental adaptability. It prefers cool and humid environments, can tolerate drought and cold, and has no strict requirements for planting soil. Therefore, when planting, choose mountainous areas with relatively high altitude, a cool climate, and a large day-night temperature difference during hot periods. The soil at the planting site should preferably be loam with deep soil layers, good drainage, and rich humus.

2. Land preparation and fertilization

After choosing the cultivation site, clear away weeds and leftover plant residues from the ground, then deep-plow the soil 30-40cm, break the soil up finely and rake it level. Fertilizer can be applied during plowing; generally apply 30000 kg of compost per hectare, and it can be increased or decreased accordingly depending on the soil's fertility level. After mixing the soil and fertilizer evenly, make beds 1 m wide and 20cm high in higher terrain; in lower terrain, ridges can be made; and if it is flat hillside land, there is no need to make ridges or beds, and digging a few drainage ditches is sufficient.

3. Sowing and raising seedlings

Seeds can be purchased, or fresh seeds can be collected when mature and sown. Sowing can be done in spring or autumn; spring sowing is in March-April, while autumn sowing is in September. For spring sowing, the seeds need to be soaked to increase the germination rate, while autumn sowing does not require this operation. When soaking seeds, put the seeds into a clean cloth bag, then place it in warm water to soak for 2-3 days. During soaking, be sure to change the water to avoid deterioration in water quality affecting the seed germination rate. After soaking, take the seeds out, let them dry, and then sow. Sowing uses the method of opening furrows and drilling in rows; generally use 15-20 kg of seed per hectare. After sowing, cover with a layer of fine soil, then press with the hand, and cover with a layer of rice straw to keep warm and retain moisture.

4. Transplanting

After sowing Rhodiola rosea, the seedlings must grow for one year before they can be transplanted. Transplanting is generally carried out in autumn when the aboveground stems and leaves wither or before the plants turn green again. Generally, spring transplanting gives better results: dig out the seedlings before they have sprouted, being careful not to damage the root system, and then transplant them by grade according to root size. When transplanting, control the plant spacing and row spacing at 20×10cm. During transplanting, the root terminal buds should face upward, and covering with soil at 2-3cm is appropriate. After covering with soil, press lightly; if the soil is too dry, water immediately.

The above are the planting methods for Rhodiola rosea. We hope they help you. To learn more about medicinal herb cultivation, please follow us.