How to Grow Polygala tenuifolia Well? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Cultivation Techniques
Polygala tenuifolia is currently a very expensive medicinal herb, and wild Polygala tenuifolia has also been listed by the state as a protected plant, so it is not allowed to be harvested privately. Moreover, the scale of artificial cultivation of Polygala tenuifolia is not large, and the market price has been rising continuously. Polygala tenuifolia has the effects of calming the mind and boosting intelligence, eliminating phlegm, reducing swelling, and treating symptoms such as cough and insomnia. Its uses are very wide-ranging. What we need to understand today is the cultivation method of Polygala tenuifolia. Let's take a look together.
1. Land Selection and Preparation
Polygala tenuifolia has no strict requirements for the soil in which it is grown. Wild Polygala tenuifolia generally grows in cool, moist places with good light, so according to its growth habits we can choose loam or sandy soil that faces the sun, has sufficient water sources, and has convenient drainage and irrigation. Second, the planting site should preferably be a plot with relatively sufficient soil fertility. When plowing the land, sufficient base fertilizer should be applied, and deep plowing and compaction should be carried out at the same time. The land should be leveled and the soil broken up fine, made into flat beds about 1.5 to 2 m wide. The dug water channels should interconnect with one another, which makes later watering and drainage convenient.
2. Scientific Sowing
In China, Polygala tenuifolia can basically be planted in spring and autumn, generally in April or August each year. When planting Polygala tenuifolia, be sure to note that the time cannot be too early or too late; planting should be done according to the time and local conditions. Before sowing, the seeds should first be soaked in water or a special agent, removed after 24 hours, and mixed evenly with fine river sand. Then the planting site should be watered thoroughly, and furrows should be opened for sowing at a spacing of 25 to 30 cm per row. The seeds should be scattered evenly and covered with about 1 cm of thin soil. Finally, a layer of plastic film or rice straw can be used as cover.
3. Transplanting and Setting Out
When transplanting Polygala tenuifolia, attention should be paid to the weather. It is best to choose a rainy day or the afternoon. When the seedlings of Polygala tenuifolia grow to about 5 to 6 cm, they can be transplanted. When transplanting, planting should be carried out at 25 to 30 cm per row and about 10 cm per plant.
4. Field Management
One week after planting, the growth of the seedlings in the field needs to be checked, and missing seedlings should be replanted and watering done in time. When the Polygala tenuifolia seedlings grow new roots, cultivation, weeding, and earthing up can then be carried out. At the same time, this can be done together with watering and fertilizing. Polygala tenuifolia has a relatively large demand for fertilizer and water during the growing period. We should topdress with about 30 kg of urea per mu and about 100 jin of phosphate fertilizer, and water in time. This can dilute the fertilizer concentration and allow the plants to absorb it better. Second, when the tubers swell, an appropriate amount of foliar fertilizer needs to be sprayed. While preventing plant aging, it can also promote tuber growth. Foliar fertilizer generally needs to be sprayed 2 to 3 times, which can increase yield. During the flowering period of Polygala tenuifolia, flowers should be appropriately removed, or a chemical that inhibits flower and pod growth should be sprayed, which can avoid nutrient consumption and promote root growth. The last thing to note is that if there is too much water in the field, drainage should be carried out in time to avoid causing the plants to rot.
5. Pest and Disease Control
The main diseases of Polygala tenuifolia are root rot and leaf blight. Root rot mainly damages the roots of Polygala tenuifolia and causes serious losses to yield. The resistance of the plants can be enhanced by increasing the application of phosphate fertilizer and base fertilizer, and carbendazim can also be used for treatment. Leaf blight mainly damages the leaf surface of Polygala tenuifolia, and zineb 800-1000 times liquid can be used for control. Second, pests such as bean blister beetles, red spiders, and white grubs also often appear, damaging not only the branches and leaves of Polygala tenuifolia but also its roots, affecting the quality of Polygala tenuifolia. We can use crop insecticides, ferrous sulfate, and trichlorfon crystals respectively for control.