What are the propagation methods for tsaoko? A detailed explanation of the latest propagation techniques

Tsaoko is the fruit of a plant in the genus Amomum of the Zingiberaceae family. It grows in tropical and subtropical humid, shaded broad-leaved forests. It prefers a warm, humid climate and is sensitive to heat, drought, and frost. The average annual temperature is 15-20°C. Its propagation methods are mainly division propagation and seed propagation. Let us take a look together below!

Tsaoko division propagation

In spring, before new buds begin to sprout and emerge from the soil, select vigorous one-year-old divisions from the mother plant clump, cut off the lower leaves, and leave 2-3 upper leaves to reduce water evaporation. Dig up the rhizomes with buds, cut them to a length of 7-10 cm, and plant them after cutting. Open holes at a plant spacing of 1.3 m × 1.7 m. The planting hole size is 50 cm × 50 cm × 40 cm. Plant 1 clump per hole, cover with soil and press firmly, then water thoroughly to settle the roots.

Tsaoko seed propagation

1. Seed collection and selection: Harvest in August-September when the fruits are mature and the peel is purplish red. Remove the peel, wash off the pulp, then soak the seeds in clean water for about 10 hours, and then store them mixed with wet sand. Choose high-yielding plants with large fruits, plump seeds, and no pests or diseases as seed collection plants.

2. Seed treatment: Before sowing, first remove the peel, wash off the pulp, soak the seeds in clean water for 10-12 hours, then place coarse sand and seeds in a bamboo basket and rub them thoroughly until the aril is rubbed off, or mix the seeds with 30% plant ash and rub the seeds apart by hand to remove the surface gelatinous layer, then sow or dry and store until sowing in the following spring.

3. Sowing time: Sow immediately after harvesting. Both spring and autumn are suitable, with autumn sowing being better. Spring sowing should be carried out when the temperature rises above 18°C. For autumn sowing, when the monthly average temperature is above 18-20°C, a large number of seeds will germinate and emerge within 1 month. After sowing, the germination rate can reach more than 80% in 40-50 days, and can reach more than 90% from December to the following February.

4. Sowing method: When sowing, open furrows on the seedbed at a row spacing of 15-20 cm, place seeds at a plant spacing of about 6 cm, and sow at a depth of 1.5-2 cm. After sowing, cover with soil, cover with grass, and water. Seedlings can be transplanted after half a year of raising.