The Latest Acanthopanax senticosus Planting Techniques and Methods Tutorial
Acanthopanax senticosus, also known as kan guai bang zi and lao hu lao, usually grows in hillside thickets and is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb that is widely used in Chinese medicine. It has the effects of tonifying the middle and boosting essence, strengthening the bones and muscles, and fortifying the will, and it has a good therapeutic effect on treating the three highs, kidney deficiency, insomnia, and constipation in humans. So do you know how it is planted? Let's take a look below.
1. Site Selection and Land Preparation
Choose a mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forest, a broad-leaved forest, or an open woodland with a canopy density between 0.3-0.5, or you may also choose fertile, well-drained barren hills and wasteland for afforestation and planting. After selecting the planting plot, the plot must be thoroughly cleared and disinfected, and the weeds and shrubs removed completely. After the disinfection work is done, use the pit planting method, with each pit measuring 50×50cm, and the row spacing for afforestation at 100×150cm, controlling it at 400-500 plants per mu.
2. Sowing and Raising Seedlings
Every year in September is the period when Acanthopanax senticosus fruits mature. At this time, harvest the fruits, remove impurities and inferior seeds after harvesting, then soak the fruits in clean water for 1-2 days, take them out and rub off the fruit skin and pulp, keeping the seeds. Rinse the seeds with clean water and dry them, then mix them with wet sand and place them indoors to overwinter. When spring comes the following year, take them out and sun them. When one third of the seeds have cracked openings, they can be sown. The sowing time is generally April-May. Before sowing, water the seedbed thoroughly, then evenly scatter the seeds on the bed surface, cover with 1cm of soil, then cover with plastic film or straw to keep warm and moist. When the seedlings emerge, remove the covering promptly. When the seedlings grow to 3-5cm, thin them promptly, and when they grow to more than 10cm, final thinning can be carried out.
3. Planting
When the seedlings grow to 50-100cm, they can be transplanted. When transplanting, lift and plant them immediately. When lifting the seedlings, keep soil around the roots and be careful not to damage the root system, so as not to affect the survival rate. During transport, they must be carefully tended so the seedlings are not exposed to wind and sun, and when they arrive at the planting site, they should be heeled in promptly to prevent water loss from affecting the survival rate. When planting, hold the seedlings upright, spread the root system out, then cover with soil and tread it firm, and water once to help the seedlings recover.
4. Field Management
After the young trees are established, loosening the soil and weeding must be carried out regularly, so that weeds or shrubs do not affect the growth of the saplings, and loosening the soil can help the root system grow better. In June, apply a topdressing of fully decomposed organic fertilizer or farmyard manure once, using radial furrow application at the roots. After fertilizing, cover with soil and water, diluting the fertilizer so it is more easily absorbed by the root system and also avoiding root burn caused by excessive fertilizer concentration. According to the growth condition of the plants, prune reasonably, cutting off dense branches, dead branches, aged branches, diseased and rotten branches, and deformed branches, to avoid consuming the plant's nutrients and keep it growing vigorously.
The above are the planting techniques for Acanthopanax senticosus. We hope they can help you. To learn more about medicinal herb cultivation knowledge, please stay tuned to us.