Latest Prices for Polygonatum Seeds and Introduction to Planting Methods
Polygonatum, also known as Huangji Cai, Biguan Cai, Laohu Jiang, and other names, is a perennial plant of the genus Polygonatum in the lily family (Liliaceae). It often grows under forest, in thickets, or in shady mountain slopes, and has extremely wide uses, combining medicinal, edible, ornamental, and cosmetic value in one. Its rhizome used as medicine has the effects of tonifying qi and nourishing yin, moistening the lungs and promoting fluid production, and strengthening the spleen and tonifying the kidney. Now let us take a look together at the price of Polygonatum seeds and the planting methods!
How much is one jin of Polygonatum seeds?
The price of Polygonatum seeds varies greatly depending on the variety. The varieties include Jitou Polygonatum, Duohua Polygonatum, and Dian Polygonatum. Jitou Polygonatum is mainly produced in Henan, Hebei, Shandong, Northeast China, and other places. Its quality is good, but the tubers are relatively small, and the seeds cost about 50 to 80 yuan per jin. Duohua Polygonatum is mainly produced in Hunan, Anhui, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, and other places, and the seeds cost about 100 to 120 yuan per jin. Dian Polygonatum is mainly produced in Yunnan, and the seeds cost about 120 to 150 yuan per jin. It is worth noting that when buying Polygonatum seeds, you should first consider whether the seeds are genuine, and only then consider the price.
Sowing Methods for Polygonatum
1. Seed treatment: After the seeds of Polygonatum mature in August, select plump mature seeds and immediately carry out sand storage treatment. Mix 1 part seeds with 3 parts sandy soil evenly, store them in a pit 30 cm deep in a shaded place, and keep them moist.
2. Sow at the right time: Polygonatum seeds are usually sifted out in late March and evenly broadcast into shallow furrows on the seedbed surface at a row spacing of 12 to 15 cm. Cover with about 1.5 cm of soil, press lightly, then water, and cover with a layer of grass to retain moisture.
3. Seedling stage management: Remove the covering grass before the Polygonatum seedlings emerge. When the seedlings are 6 to 9 cm tall, thin them appropriately where they are too dense. After 1 year, they can be transplanted. When cultivating them, corn can be planted on the ridge edges of the seedbed to provide the shade conditions needed for Polygonatum growth.
Planting Methods for Polygonatum
1. Land preparation and fertilization: For Polygonatum planting, choose moist plots with sufficient shade. The soil should preferably be loam or sandy loam that is loose and has good water retention. Before sowing, deep plow once, and while preparing the land, apply 2000 kg of farmyard manure per mu. Then rake finely, level, and make beds 1.2 m wide.
2. Cultivation and weeding: In the early stage of Polygonatum growth, cultivation and weeding should be carried out frequently, once each in April, June, September, and November every year. Shallow hoeing is appropriate, along with appropriate earthing up. Later, simply pulling weeds is enough. If drought occurs, or if it is planted in a relatively sunny and dry place, timely watering is needed.
3. Timely fertilization: Polygonatum is topdressed each year in combination with cultivation and weeding. After the first 3 cultivations, apply 1500 kg of farmyard manure, 50 kg of superphosphate, and 50 kg of cake fertilizer per mu. Mix them evenly, open furrows between the rows and apply, then cover with soil to conceal the fertilizer.
4. Pest and disease control: For Polygonatum leaf spot disease, use a 500-fold dilution of 65% zineb wettable powder. For black spot disease, spray Bordeaux mixture at 1:1:100. For white grubs, use 75% phoxim emulsifiable concentrate to dress seeds at 0.1% of the seed amount, or during field occurrence, drench with a 1000-fold dilution of 90% trichlorfon.
5. Seed reservation techniques: Polygonatum can be propagated by rhizome and by seed, but in production, rhizome propagation is preferable. In late autumn or around late March in early spring, select healthy, disease-free plants, dig up the underground rhizomes, and use them directly as propagation material for planting.
6. Harvesting and processing: Polygonatum is generally harvested in spring and autumn, with better quality from autumn harvest. After 3 to 4 years of cultivation, harvest in autumn after the aboveground parts wither. Dig up the rhizomes, remove the aboveground parts and fibrous roots, wash off the soil, steam until they appear glossy and moist, then take them out and sun-dry or oven-dry.