The Latest Methods and Techniques for Growing Polygonatum: A Detailed Guide
Polygonatum can be eaten as a vegetable, and it is also a very commonly used medicinal herb in traditional Chinese medicine. Moreover, when it is in bloom it is also a very beautiful sight, and finally, it also has beauty benefits, and its taste is sweet, so market demand is growing. But wild Polygonatum has basically already been fully harvested, so in order to meet market demand, we of course need to carry out artificial cultivation in a reasonable way. So how should Polygonatum be grown for the best results? Below, let us study together with Qinnong Net.
1. Site selection and land preparation
The growth habits of wild Polygonatum are generally that it likes sunlight and likes fertilizer, so when planting we usually choose a plot with relatively complete soil structure, sufficient fertility, and a good drainage system. It can be clay soil or sandy soil. Although it likes light, during artificial cultivation we should choose a semi-sunny area, or build shade structures ourselves. As long as there is enough sunlight it is fine; the exposure must not be too strong, because that will also cause harm to Polygonatum. When preparing the land, we first need to evenly spread a layer of base fertilizer on top, then deep plow, level the land, and finally dig drainage ditches all around, as well as small ditches in the field about every 1.5 m, and then we can wait to sow.
2. Sowing methods
We generally sow around August each year or around March. There are two sowing methods: the first is transplanting tubers, and the second is direct seeding. For tuber transplanting, around March, dig out part of the tubers from underground, divide them into small sections, let them dry, then place them evenly in rows, and finally cover them with a thin layer of soil. When necessary, a layer of straw or plastic film can be placed on top. Direct seeding is even easier: simply sow the seeds at a reasonable spacing and cover them with soil, and the final handling method is the same as for tuber sowing.
3. Reasonable density
In order for Polygonatum to grow better, we need to arrange the planting density reasonably when sowing. Under normal conditions, about 800 to 1,000 Polygonatum plants can be planted per sq m. Planting can be adjusted according to the fertility of the soil: in relatively poor soil, plant with 20 cm between rows and 10 cm between plants, while in relatively fertile land, plant with 30 cm between rows and 20 cm between plants. Only then will the planted Polygonatum be high-yielding.
4. Scientific fertilization
Polygonatum needs relatively many nutrients during its growth period, so when topdressing we should follow the principle of frequent application of thin fertilizer. The first topdressing is about one week after Polygonatum is planted out; at this time it is mainly to promote seedling growth, so a somewhat larger amount of nitrogen fertilizer can be applied. Especially during the peak growth season, Polygonatum needs even more nutrients, so after that, fertilizer should be applied once every month, mainly farmyard manure, supplemented with a small amount of phosphate fertilizer and cake fertilizer. Each fertilization can be combined with weeding, which is more conducive to Polygonatum's nutrient absorption.
5. Field management
If a semi-sunny location is chosen for planting, then there is no need for shade structure management, but if there is direct sunlight all day, then we need to reasonably build some sheds around it, which can provide a shading effect to a certain extent. Polygonatum generally enters its flowering period in early May, but because its growth period is relatively long, it needs to consume relatively many nutrients. So in order to make better use of nutrients, we need to remove some flower buds and branches and leaves, so that the nutrients are fully absorbed by the underground tubers. Finally, pest and disease control also needs some attention. The main disease is twig blight, which can be controlled with Bordeaux mixture, while the pests are mainly underground insects such as cutworms, which can be controlled by drenching the roots with trichlorfon powder.