How to Grow Polygonum multiflorum? Latest Cultivation Techniques and Methods Tutorial

Polygonum multiflorum is a perennial twining vine climbing plant that grows slowly. It is generally believed that wild Polygonum multiflorum must grow for more than three years to form a relatively large tuberous root for medicinal use. In recent years, due to purchasing by medicinal traders and indiscriminate digging by farmers, wild Polygonum multiflorum resources have been severely damaged and are facing depletion. In order to protect and develop this precious Chinese medicinal herb resource, the cultivation techniques for Polygonum multiflorum are introduced as follows:

Sexual Propagation of Polygonum multiflorum

Seed collection and storage: First, select excellent individual plants with pure variety, free from pests and diseases, and robust growth as mother plants for seed collection. When the Polygonum multiflorum seeds mature, with the exterior changing from white to brown and the interior turning black, they must be harvested promptly, otherwise the seeds will naturally fall off. The harvested seeds, due to their high water content, are prone to molding and pest and disease infection, thereby losing germination ability. Therefore, they must be sun-dried before being packed into burlap sacks or sand cloth bags and stored in a ventilated, dry place. Never store seeds in plastic bags.

1. Site selection. Polygonum multiflorum seedling cultivation has relatively strict soil requirements. Plots with deep soil layers, loose and fertile soil, convenient water sources, and both drainage and irrigation capability are ideal. After the seedbed site is determined, in the previous year, weeds should be completely removed before they flower, to prevent weeds from competing with Polygonum multiflorum seedlings for nutrients and light in the second year. This is the key to successful seedling cultivation.

2. Land preparation. First, deep-plow the seedbed area and expose it to sunlight for 15-20 days, which can reduce soil pests and diseases. Where conditions permit, pile branches and pine needles on the soil clods and set them on fire once, which can greatly reduce weeds, alleviate pests and diseases, and improve soil fertility. Then carry out land preparation combined with applying base fertilizer. Apply 10 kg of high-quality farmyard manure per sq m; after application, turn and dig once, remove weed roots, and level the bed surface finely.

3. Bed formation. Generally after sowing, due to severe spring drought, irrigation depends mainly on manual watering, so flat beds are preferable. Bed width is 1.5 m, with soil ridges built around the perimeter, ridge width 30 cm, which helps retain water and fertilizer.

4. Sowing. Years of experimental results have confirmed that the best sowing period for Polygonum multiflorum is March, at the time of “Jingzhe” (Awakening of Insects). If too early, the temperature is low and cannot meet the temperature requirements for seed germination; not only will seedlings fail to emerge, but the seeds may rot. If too late, although seedlings emerge quickly after sowing, the optimal growth period is short, which is unfavorable for seedling growth. Because Polygonum multiflorum seeds are tiny, broadcast sowing is preferable. The sowing rate is 4-6 g per sq m. Before sowing, use a tool to gently pat the surface soil of the bed flat; soil gaps should not be too large, as sowing too deep will prevent seedling emergence. It must also be done in the morning or evening when there is no wind, by mixing with fine soil or plant ash and broadcasting. After sowing, cover the bed surface with sifted fine soil and a small amount of farmyard manure, with a thickness of 0.1-0.2 cm, then scatter a layer of fresh pine needles, with a thickness such that about one-fifth of the soil is visible to the naked eye.

5. Seedbed management

① Water thoroughly. Polygonum multiflorum seeds are tiny, so when watering, a watering can must be used to spray multiple times; do not directly flush or pour heavily with water. Thereafter, on sunny days, water lightly once daily at 10 AM or after 5 PM; after seedlings emerge in about 20-25 days, water once every 2-3 days.

② Weeding. After sowing Polygonum multiflorum, weeds emerge first and should be removed promptly with appropriate watering. Thereafter, weed once about every 10 days.

③ Topdressing. Sixty days after seedling emergence, spray with 100 kg of water plus 0.2-0.3 kg of compound fertilizer or urea. The concentration should be light and the frequency high, spraying once every 10-15 days. In the middle and late seedling stages, spray with 0.5%-1% concentration of compound fertilizer or urea, or apply 50 kg of clear water plus 5-8 kg of manure water.

④ Thinning. To cultivate strong seedlings, overly dense and weak seedlings must be thinned out. The first thinning is carried out about 30 days after seedling emergence; the second about 50 days after seedling emergence; the third thinning, called seedling control, basically leaves one plant every 3-4 cm. Thinning should be done early rather than late, otherwise it will cause seedling spindling. After each thinning, water appropriately.

⑤ Pest and disease control. Currently, the main insect pest found in seedbeds is the cutworm, which can be controlled by manual capture or by spraying with decis at 1:2000 dilution. The main disease is powdery mildew, which can be prevented by spraying Bordeaux mixture at 1:1:200 dilution before onset, and treated by spraying 25% carbendazim solution at 500-800 dilution when the disease occurs.

Asexual Propagation of Polygonum multiflorum

1. Stem segment cutting propagation method

① Chemical treatment: In February-March, before wild or cultivated Polygonum multiflorum sprouts, cut the stem base and middle portions of young vines into 10-20 cm lengths, retaining 2-3 node buds. Bundle dozens of cuttings into small bundles and treat them by soaking the roots with rooting powder No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, naphthalene acetic acid, or 2,4-D respectively. For specific concentrations, refer to the instructions. Note that iron or copper containers must not be used to hold the solution. Alternatively, in May-June, after Polygonum multiflorum young vines sprout, use the above method for a second batch of cutting propagation. The survival rate of both batches of cuttings can reach over 80%.

② In February-March and May-June, treat the young vine stem segments as above, then dip the stem segment bases in alcohol or plant ash; the survival rate is over 70% in both cases.

③ In May-June after young vines sprout, stem segments require no treatment at all, and the survival rate of direct cutting can reach over 50%. In short, regardless of which cutting treatment is used, the stem segments must be inserted into the seedbed soil on the same day, with a plant spacing of 10 cm × 20 cm. The seedbed soil is best if it is loose virgin soil or unfertilized. Water once every 2-5 days and manage normally.

2. Tuberous root propagation method

In August-September or February-March, dig up Polygonum multiflorum tuberous roots. Select small to medium-sized tuberous roots or the stem base of tuberous roots as seed material, and plant them in loose, fertile plots with a plant spacing of 10 cm × 20 cm. After planting, water once to settle the roots, and manage normally after seedlings emerge.

For seedbeds used for cutting and tuberous root seedling cultivation, intertillage and weeding must be strengthened. When new seedlings grow to 20-30 cm, 2-3 kg of compound fertilizer must be evenly applied with 100 kg of water.