Latest Efficient Artificial Cultivation Techniques and Methods Tutorial for Paris polyphylla
Aliases of Paris polyphylla: Yunnan Paris polyphylla, Caoheche, Dujiaolian; it is the rhizome of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis, a plant of the Liliaceae family. Perennial herb. Leaves 6-10 in a whorl, petiole 5-20mm long, leaf blade thickly papery, lanceolate, ovate-oblong to obovate, 5-11cm long, 2-4.5cm wide. The pedicel emerges from the top of the stem, bearing a single terminal flower; flowers bisexual, sepals lanceolate or long-ovate, green, 3.5-6cm long; tepals linear and slightly lanceolate, yellow, about 1/2 the length of the sepals to nearly equal in length, more than 2-6mm wide above the middle; stamens 8-10, anthers 1-1.5cm long, filaments shorter than the anthers, connective protruding part 1-2mm. Flowering period June-July, fruiting period September-October.
Grows in shaded, damp places under mountain forests or in roadside grass. Mainly produced in Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan.
Growth Habits
Paris polyphylla likes to grow at an altitude of about 500-3000 meters, in humid climates with appropriate rainfall, in shaded places under forests. Generally, the suitable temperature for seed germination, root growth and development, and terminal bud germination is 18°C-20°C, for seedling emergence 20°C, for aboveground plant growth 16°C-20°C, and for underground rhizome growth 14°C-18°C. Paris polyphylla requires a shaded environment for growth; strong light will cause the leaves to wither. Generally, the seed germination and seedling stages require relatively good shading, while in the two years before maturity, shading should be appropriately reduced and light increased, which is beneficial for the accumulation of secondary metabolites and dry matter. If soil moisture content is too low, it easily causes water loss in stems and leaves, and the root system dries up and dies, while if too high, it easily leads to pests and diseases and rhizome rot. Paris polyphylla is suitable for growing in slightly acidic humus soil or red loam soil with good permeability; compacted, water-accumulating, and hardened soils are not suitable for planting.
Generally, Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis is more suitable for central Yunnan, eastern Yunnan, northeastern Yunnan, western Yunnan, and northwestern Yunnan, while Paris polyphylla var. chinensis is more suitable for southern Yunnan.
Planting Methods
Site selection and land preparation: Choose open forest land or sloping land, dry land with relatively high terrain and good drainage, with soil that is humus-rich humus soil or acidic red loam soil, as the Paris polyphylla planting base. Paris polyphylla is a perennial shallow-rooted crop with slow growth and few but relatively long roots; generally, in the first year of transplanting, the land should be deeply plowed, which is beneficial for root growth. In winter, choose a sunny day and plow when the field is relatively dry, plowing to a depth of about 25cm; during plowing, break up the soil clods and pick out stones and weeds. After sun-drying for one or two days, apply 30-35 tons of decomposed farmyard manure per hectare as base fertilizer, and level and make beds. The bed surface width is 120cm, the ditch width is 30cm, and the ditch depth is 25cm; after sowing, break up the ditch soil and spread it on the bed surface; the ditches must be unobstructed to facilitate drainage.
1. Seed propagation
① Seedbed: For the seedbed, choose open forest land or sloping land with relatively high terrain, good drainage, soil rich in organic matter, and relatively good shading (20% light transmittance); for dry land, build 3-4 layers of shade netting. Choose a sunny day and plow when the field is relatively dry, plowing to a depth of about 15cm; during plowing, crush the soil clods and pick out stones and weeds, and level and make beds. The bed surface width is 120cm, the ditch width is 30cm, and the ditch depth is 25cm; the ditches must be unobstructed to facilitate drainage.
② Seed selection and seed treatment: Select plump, mature Paris polyphylla seeds free of disease, mildew, and damage, with a 1000-grain weight of 40-70 grams, mix them with clean fine sand at 2:1, rub to remove the outer seed coat, wash clean, soak in 500-fold carbendazim for 1 hour, bury in wet sand, treat at 20°C for 4 months, and sow after the Paris polyphylla seeds have rooted; during this period, pay attention to keeping moist.
③ Sowing and seedling raising: The treated seeds can be dibbled, drilled in rows, or broadcast. Sow into humus soil and fine sand (2:1), cover the seeds with a thin 1.5-2cm layer of soil, then cover with a layer of finely crushed grass to retain moisture; this not only helps the seedlings emerge but also helps the cotyledons shed their shells and ensures the seedling emergence rate. During this period, maintain a moist and shaded environment in the seedbed; avoid soil hardening, drying, and excessive sunlight. Generally, seedlings emerge in 3-4 months.
2. Cutting propagation: In winter, cut disease-free, normally shaped Paris polyphylla underground stems into sections according to two nodes (about 2cm); they must not be too short, otherwise the seedlings will be too thin or will not emerge; treat the wounds with plant ash. Cut sections with terminal buds can be directly planted in the field. Cut sections without terminal buds are planted at a spacing of 7×7cm; after planting, cover with crushed grass or humus soil to retain moisture (soil moisture 65%), and maintain a shaded environment.
3. Transplanting: Seed seedlings are transplanted 3 years after emergence, at a spacing of 15×20cm. Cut sections with terminal buds are planted at a spacing of 15×20cm; cut sections without terminal buds are dug out in the second winter when adventitious buds have already formed, and planted at a spacing of 20×30cm. After transplanting, cover with crushed grass or humus soil to retain moisture and maintain a shaded environment. The transplanting time is preferably in winter, after the aboveground stems have fallen and the rhizomes are dormant; during transplanting, take care to protect the terminal buds and fibrous roots from damage.
III. Field Management
1. Cultivation and weeding: Since Paris polyphylla has relatively shallow roots and sprouts new roots in autumn and winter, attention must be paid during cultivation; around September-October, at the initial stage of underground stem growth, cultivate gently with a small hoe, not too deep, so as not to damage the underground stems. When cultivating and weeding, combine with earthing up and apply winter fertilizer. Around the Beginning of Spring, seedlings gradually emerge; if weeds are found, manually pull them out promptly, and be careful not to damage the seedlings and underground rhizomes during weeding, so as not to affect the growth of Paris polyphylla.
2. Drainage and irrigation: Drainage ditches should be opened around the field to facilitate drainage. The depth of the drainage ditches should be more than 35cm, basically achieving drying of water after rain stops. The growth of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis dislikes water accumulation, and the soil moisture content should not be too high. Before the aboveground stems emerge, it should not be watered, otherwise root rot easily occurs. After emergence, however, it must not lack water; therefore, before the rainy season arrives, water promptly. When the rainy season arrives, pay attention to drainage.
Fertilization
1. Base fertilizer: Apply 30-35 tons of decomposed farmyard manure per hectare as base fertilizer.
2. Winter fertilizer: Generally carried out from late November to early December; first gently cultivate the surface soil once, then choose a sunny day and apply 150-250 kilograms of compound fertilizer per hectare. Then cover with 30 tons of barnyard manure, and then cover with some fine soil on top.
3. Spring fertilizer: After the seedlings emerge uniformly, apply decomposed farmyard manure 1-2 times, 15-20 tons each time, then spray foliar fertilizer 2 times; around the Beginning of Spring, when the seedlings break through the surface soil and the seedlings are about 3cm tall, topdress promptly.
4. Topping: At the end of vegetative growth, for plants not kept for seed, remove the ovary but retain the sepals (which can carry out photosynthesis), to ensure the transfer of organic matter to the rhizome; in addition, for Paris polyphylla var. chinensis, after new seedlings sprout, remove the old yellow leaves to reduce nutrient consumption.