How to Propagate Solomon's Seal? An Introduction to the Latest Propagation Methods

Solomon's seal (Polygonatum odoratum) is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Liliaceae family, valued for its roots in herbal medicine. It originated in southwestern China, but is widely distributed in the wild. It is cold-tolerant and shade-tolerant, dislikes direct strong sunlight and windy conditions, prefers moist environments, and thrives in loose soil rich in humus. Below, let us take a look together at the propagation methods of Solomon's seal!

Seed Propagation of Solomon's Seal

1. Seed collection: In September, harvest wild fruits, soak them in water, rub off the skin and flesh, mix with moist sand for stratified storage until the following spring, then take them out for sowing.

2. Sowing method: On a prepared bed, open furrows at a row spacing of 10 cm, sow the seeds evenly into the furrows, cover with 2 cm of soil, and press down lightly.

Rhizome Propagation of Solomon's Seal

1. Selection of seed rhizomes: At the autumn harvest, select plump, yellow-white root buds grown in the current year to keep as seed stock. Dig, select and plant them promptly. If weather changes prevent planting, the root buds must be spread out in a sheltered, cool indoor spot. Generally, 200-300 kg of seed rhizomes are used per mu.

2. Planting method: Generally from early October to late October, choose a cloudy or sunny day for planting. When planting, open furrows 15 cm deep on the bed at a row spacing of 30 cm, then lay the seed rhizomes flat in the furrows at a plant spacing of about 15 cm, immediately cover with decomposed manure, then cover with a layer of fine soil until level with the bed surface.

Field Management of Solomon's Seal

1. Cultivation and weeding: No seedlings emerge in the year of planting. After seedlings emerge the following spring, weed promptly. The first weeding can be done by hand pulling or shallow hoeing to avoid damaging the tender shoots. Thereafter, keep the soil surface free of weeds. In the second year, when rhizomes have spread densely through the surface layer, only hand pulling of weeds is suitable.

2. Timely topdressing: In the winter of the year of planting, open shallow furrows between the rows and apply 800-1,000 kg of livestock manure per mu, then cover with soil for overwintering. In the second year, when the seedlings are 7-10 cm tall, apply fertilizer once more. After the plants die back in winter, shallowly loosen the surface soil between the rows, broadcast a layer of decomposed dry fertilizer (cow manure, composted soil and miscellaneous manure, etc.), and earth up 7-10 cm. It is even better to add a cover of green grass or dead branches and fallen leaves. In the third year after seedlings emerge in spring, apply 1,500-2,000 kg of human manure water per mu, and earth up after application.

3. Harvesting and processing: Solomon's seal is generally dug up around mid-August. Choose a time after rain when the weather clears and the soil is slightly dry. Cut off the stems and leaves at ground level with a knife, then dig out the rhizomes along the rows with a tooth harrow, taking care not to break or bruise them. Then grade the fresh rhizomes by size and spread them in the sun to dry for 3-4 days. When the outer surface becomes soft and sticky liquid exudes, gently shake them in a bamboo basket to remove root hairs, sand and soil, and continue drying. When the Solomon's seal turns from white to yellow, rub it with your hands or tread and knead it repeatedly with both feet. Repeat this several times until it is oily, soft and smooth, with no hard core and a yellow color, then sun-dry it thoroughly.