How to Grow Saposhnikovia divaricata? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Cultivation Techniques
Saposhnikovia divaricata, also known by the aliases Tongyun, Huiyun and Huicao, is a commonly used Chinese medicinal herb, mainly used to treat colds, headaches, joint pain and other conditions, and it has extremely high economic value. Many people have earned considerable income by growing it. So how do you grow Saposhnikovia divaricata? Do you know? Let's take a look below with the editor.
1. Site Selection and Land Preparation
Saposhnikovia divaricata has strong cold resistance and drought resistance, and it dislikes waterlogging or excessively wet soil, so when planting, try to choose higher-lying, sunny plots rather than low-lying, damp places. It is not strict about soil requirements, but to achieve high yields, it is best to plant it in sandy loam with deep soil layers, loose and fertile soil, and good drainage. Soil with heavy clay content or strong acidity or alkalinity is not suitable for planting. Saposhnikovia divaricata is a perennial plant, so to allow it to grow smoothly, sufficient base fertilizer should be applied before planting: 3000-4000 kg of farmyard manure and 20 kg of calcium phosphate per mu, deeply plowed into the soil, then raised beds should be made.
2. Propagation Methods
The propagation methods for Saposhnikovia divaricata include seed propagation and root division, among which seed propagation is mainly used, so we will explain seed propagation in detail. The sowing time can be chosen in spring or autumn; spring sowing is generally in March-April, while autumn sowing is in September-October. Before sowing, the seeds must first be treated by soaking them in warm water for 24 hours so they fully absorb water before sowing. When sowing, drilling in furrows on the bed surface is generally used, with furrows 2-3 cm deep; sow the seeds into them, then cover with soil and press firm, and water to keep the soil moist. Seedlings can emerge within one month. Generally, 2-2.2 kg of seed is used per mu.
3. Field Management
When the seedlings grow to 4-5 cm, thinning should be done in time, controlling the plant spacing at 5-7 cm; when the seedlings grow to more than 10 cm, final thinning should be done in time, controlling the plant spacing at about 15 cm. After final thinning, cultivating and weeding should be carried out 2-3 times each year to keep the field clean and prevent weeds from affecting plant growth. During cultivation, earthing up can also be done at the same time; earthing up in summer prevents lodging, while earthing up in winter helps the root system overwinter. June-August is the peak growth season for the plants, so topdressing should be applied twice; each topdressing can use human and livestock manure and urine or superphosphate, applied in furrows between the rows. In addition, Saposhnikovia divaricata should have its bolting stems removed in time; for two-year-old plants, except those kept for seed, all should have bolting stems removed. Saposhnikovia divaricata has strong drought resistance, so irrigation is not needed; during rainy periods, drainage should be done in time to prevent waterlogging, so as to avoid damage to the root system.
4. Pest and Disease Control
When growing Saposhnikovia divaricata, it will suffer from several common pests and diseases, namely powdery mildew, Loxostege palealis, and Papilio machaon. Powdery mildew mainly develops during high-temperature periods in summer and autumn, and mainly harms the leaves. When planting, applying more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer can improve disease resistance, and strengthening ventilation and light penetration between plants can prevent this disease. When the disease occurs, spray thiophanate methyl for control. Loxostege palealis and Papilio machaon mainly harm the leaves, buds and fruits of the planted crop, and can be controlled by spraying trichlorfon or dichlorvos.
The above is all the content on how to grow Saposhnikovia divaricata. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more about growing Saposhnikovia divaricata, please stay tuned to us.