How to Grow Angelica sinensis from Seed? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Planting Methods

Angelica sinensis is a perennial herb of the genus Angelica in the Apiaceae family. It prefers a cold, cool high-altitude climate and can be cultivated at altitudes of around 1500-3000 m. When cultivated in low-altitude areas, the bolting rate is high and it does not overwinter easily. It is best grown in deep, loose, well-drained, fertile sandy loam rich in humus, and should not be planted in low-lying, waterlogged spots or in easily compacted clay and poor sandy soil. Now let us take a look at how to grow Angelica sinensis from seed!

Seed Selection and Land Preparation

For seed collection, Angelica sinensis usually uses fresh seeds set in the second year after transplanting. They can be harvested when the seed coat turns sky blue or pink, then air-dried, threshed and stored for later use. The seedling bed for Angelica sinensis should be chosen on a wind-sheltered, sunny, shaded hillside or wasteland. Plow the soil in late May, incorporate the ash of burned weeds as base fertilizer by turning it into the soil, then rake level and make raised beds 1.2 m wide. Before sowing, apply base fertilizer again at 2500-3000 kg per mu, turn it into the soil, and break up and level the soil finely.

Sowing and Raising Seedlings

Angelica sinensis seeds are suitable for sowing from early to late June. Open horizontal furrows at a row spacing of 17-20 cm, sow the seeds evenly, cover with a layer of fine soil to fully cover the seeds, then cover with a layer of weeds. Sow 4-5 kg of seed per mu. The optimum germination temperature is around 20°C. Seedlings emerge about half a month after sowing; at this point, loosen the covering grass to avoid injuring the seedlings when removing the grass. Remove the covering grass in early August. Weed whenever weeds appear to keep the field free of weeds, and thin the seedlings while weeding, removing the weak and keeping the strong, with a plant spacing of about 1 cm being suitable.

Storage of Seedlings

For digging up and storing Angelica sinensis seedlings, do so in early October. Dig up the seedlings with their roots, tie them into small bundles, and store them in piles or in pits. For pile storage, choose a cool room without a fire, and in the room pile up one layer of planting stock and one layer of loess. For outdoor pit storage, choose a cool, dry place. Dig a pit 1 m deep and 1 m wide, with the length depending on the quantity of planting stock, pile up one layer of planting stock and one layer of loess, and cover the top of the pit with about 30 cm of soil, mounded above ground level.

Transplanting Seedlings

Transplanting Angelica sinensis seedlings is generally best done in early to mid-April. On the prepared bed surface, plant in a triangular arrangement at a row spacing of 35×25 cm, with holes 16 cm deep. Choose raised seedlings whose root diameter is best controlled at around 3.5 mm; roots that are too large tend to bolt early, while those that are too small have poor adaptability and a low survival rate. After planting, cover with soil while pressing firmly, then cover with soil until it exceeds the root crown of the seedling by 2-3 cm.