Polygonatum: Latest Prices and a Detailed Guide to Growing It
Polygonatum is a traditional tonic medicinal herb, also known as tiger ginger, chicken-head ginseng, yellow chicken vegetable, etc. It is the dried rhizome of the Liliaceae plants Polygonatum kingianum, Polygonatum sibiricum, or Polygonatum cyrtonema, and depending on its shape it is commonly called large Polygonatum, chicken-head Polygonatum, ginger-shaped Polygonatum, etc. As a medicine it has the effects of tonifying qi and promoting fluid production, strengthening the spleen and moistening the lungs, and nourishing yin and benefiting the kidneys. Now let us take a look together at Polygonatum prices and cultivation methods!
How much is Polygonatum per jin?
The price of Polygonatum is about 15 to 20 yuan per jin, but prices vary greatly depending on variety, quality, place of origin, and market, for example chicken-head Polygonatum general goods are about 13 to 15 yuan per jin, premium Polygonatum general goods are about 18 to 20 yuan per jin, and the price of premium Polygonatum slices is above 40 yuan. At the same time, the size of Polygonatum directly affects its quality and price. Smaller Polygonatum is relatively cheaper, but in fact the medicinal components are generally about the same.
Propagation Methods of Polygonatum
1. Rhizome propagation: For rhizome propagation of Polygonatum, dig up the underground rhizome in late autumn or early spring, select the young tender part at the tip and cut it into several sections, each with 3 or 4 nodes. After the wounds are slightly dried, plant them in a prepared bed, cover with soil, press down lightly, and water. Keep the soil moist before emergence.
2. Seed propagation: After Polygonatum seeds mature in August, immediately carry out sand storage treatment. In late March of the following year, sieve out the seeds and evenly broadcast them in shallow furrows on the bed surface. Cover with soil, water, and cover with a layer of grass. Remove the covering grass before emergence. Thin seedlings appropriately where they are too dense, and transplant after 1 year.
⟦NL>Cultivation Methods of Polygonatum
1. Site selection and land preparation: For Polygonatum cultivation, choose moist land with sufficient shade. The soil should preferably be loam or sandy loam with a loose texture and good water retention. When preparing the land, apply 2000 kg of farmyard manure per mu and plow it into the soil as base fertilizer, then harrow finely, level, and make beds.
2. Seedling raising and transplanting: In northern regions, Polygonatum transplanting is mostly carried out in early April. On the prepared planting plot, dig holes at a row spacing of 30 cm and a plant spacing of 15 cm, then plant the grown seedlings into the holes, 2 plants per hole, cover with soil, press firmly, and water thoroughly once.
3. Cultivation and weeding: During the growth period of Polygonatum plants, cultivation and weeding should be carried out frequently, once each in April, June, September, and November every year. Shallow hoeing is advisable to avoid damaging the roots, and appropriate hilling should be done to promote strong plants. Later, simply pull weeds.
4. Reasonable topdressing: Polygonatum is topdressed each year in combination with cultivation. Each time apply 1000 to 1500 kg per mu of high-quality human and livestock manure. Before winter, apply again 1200 to 1500 kg per mu of high-quality farmyard manure, mixed with 50 kg of superphosphate and 50 kg of cake fertilizer.
5. Timely drainage and irrigation: Polygonatum likes moisture and fears drought. The field should often remain moist. In dry weather, water in time, but in the rainy season, prevent water accumulation and drain promptly to avoid root rot.
6. Removing flowers: Polygonatum flowers and fruits consume a large amount of nutrients and affect rhizome growth. Therefore, before flower buds form, remove the flower buds in time to promote the concentrated transfer of nutrients to the harvested rhizome part and increase yield.
7. Disease and pest control: For Polygonatum leaf spot, use 65% zineb wettable powder at 500 times dilution. For black spot, spray Bordeaux mixture at 1:1:100. For grubs, use 75% phoxim emulsifiable concentrate to dress seeds at 0.1% of seed weight, or during occurrence irrigate with 90% trichlorfon at 1000 times dilution.
8. Harvesting and processing: Polygonatum propagated by rhizome is dug and harvested 2 to 3 years after planting, and that propagated by seed 3 to 4 years after planting. It can be harvested in both spring and autumn, but autumn harvesting is of better quality. The yield is 400 to 500 kg per mu, and can reach 600 kg at high yield.