The Latest Cultivation Techniques and Methods Tutorial for Saposhnikovia divaricata

Saposhnikovia divaricata is a perennial herb, with a plant height of 30-100 cm, and the whole plant is hairless. The main root is thick and long, with a pale brown surface and scattered protruding lenticels. The root crown is densely covered with brown fibrous leaf stalk remnants. The stem is single, dichotomously branched. The basal leaves grow in clusters, with long petioles and a leaf sheath at the base; the leaf blade is long ovate or triangular-ovate, 2-3 times pinnately parted; the stem leaves are smaller, with relatively wide leaf sheaths. The compound umbel is terminal; there are no involucral bracts, rarely 1; the umbellule has 4-9 flowers, the sepals are short triangular and relatively obvious; there are 5 petals, white. The schizocarp, when mature, is yellow-green or dark yellow, long ovate, with wart-like protrusions, slightly laterally compressed; the fruit has 5 ribs. The flowering period is August-September, and the fruiting period is September-October.

Growth Habits

Saposhnikovia divaricata has strong adaptability, is cold-resistant and drought-resistant, and prefers sunny and cool climatic conditions. It is suitable for growing in well-drained, loose and dry sandy loam, and can be cultivated in northern China and the Yangtze River basin regions.

The seeds germinate easily and can germinate within the range of 15-25°C. The germination rate of fresh seeds can reach more than 50%. The germination rate of seeds stored for more than 1 year decreases significantly, so it is best to use fresh seeds for planting in production. The suitable temperature for the germination of Saposhnikovia divaricata is 15°C, and in production, both spring and autumn sowing are possible. Seeds sown in spring emerge in about 20 days, and seeds sown in autumn emerge in the following spring.

Planting and Cultivation Techniques

1. Land selection and land preparation: Saposhnikovia divaricata is a deep-rooted plant, and the main root can reach 50-60 cm in length. Sandy loam with high and dry terrain and good drainage should be selected for planting; Saposhnikovia divaricata planted in clay soil is extremely short, has many branches, and is poor in quality. Saposhnikovia divaricata is a perennial plant, so sufficient base fertilizer should be applied when preparing the land, with 3000-4000 kg of barnyard manure and 15-20 kg of superphosphate per mu, and deep ploughing and fine harrowing. In the north, make flat beds 1.3-1.7 m wide; in the rainy areas of the south, make high beds 1.3 m wide with ditches 25 cm deep.

2. The main propagation method is seed propagation, and root division propagation can also be carried out.

① Seed propagation: sowing can be done in spring and autumn. For spring sowing, in the Yangtze River basin it is from late March to mid-April, and in North China it is from early to mid-April; for autumn sowing, in the Yangtze River basin it is from September to October, and in North China it is sown before the ground freezes, emerging in the following spring. For spring sowing, the seeds need to be soaked in warm water for 1 day so that they fully absorb water to facilitate germination. In the prepared bed, open furrows for drilling at a row spacing of 30-40 cm, with a furrow depth of 2 cm. Sow the seeds evenly into the furrows, cover with soil and level it, press slightly, cover with grass and water, and keep the soil moist. Seedlings can emerge 20-25 days after sowing. Use 2 kg of seeds per mu.

② Root division propagation: at harvest time or in early spring, take root strips with a thickness of more than 0.7 cm and cut them into small sections 3 cm long for use as seed material. Plant at a plant spacing and row spacing of 15 cm × 50 cm and a hole depth of 6-8 cm, with 1 root section per hole, inserted along the direction of planting, and after planting cover with soil 3-5 cm. Use about 50 kg per mu.

3. Field management

① Thinning: when the seedlings are 5 cm high, thin them to a plant spacing of 7 cm; when the seedlings are 10-13 cm high, final thinning is done to a plant spacing of 13-16 cm.

② Weeding and earthing up: before June, weeding needs to be carried out multiple times to keep the field clean. When the plants close the rows, first remove the old leaves, then earth up around the roots to prevent lodging; when winter comes, combined with clearing the site, earth up again to help the roots overwinter.

③ Topdressing: topdressing should be applied once in early June or late August each year, using human manure and urine, superphosphate, or compost applied in furrows between the rows.

④ Bud removal: for plants more than 2 years old, except those used for seed production, the buds must be removed in time.

⑤ Drainage and irrigation: during the period from sowing or planting to before seedling emergence, the soil should be kept moist. Saposhnikovia divaricata has strong drought resistance and mostly does not need irrigation. In the rainy season, pay attention to timely drainage to prevent root rot from water accumulation.

Pest and Disease Control

1. Powdery mildew: damages leaves in summer and autumn. Control methods: ① apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, and pay attention to ventilation and light transmission; ② when the disease occurs, spray with 50% thiophanate-methyl 800-1000 times liquid for control.

2. Yellow-winged fennel borer: occurs when buds and flowers appear, damaging flower buds and fruits. Control methods: in the morning or evening, spray with 90% trichlorfon 800 times liquid or BT emulsion 300 times liquid for control.

3. Yellow swallowtail butterfly: begins to cause damage in May, and the larvae bite leaves and flower buds. Control methods: ① manual capture and killing; ② in the young larval stage, spray 90% trichlorfon 800 times liquid or 80% dichlorvos emulsifiable concentrate 1000 times liquid.

Harvesting and Processing

Generally, harvesting is done in the second winter after planting, from late October to mid-November, or before sprouting in spring. Saposhnikovia divaricata propagated by root division in spring can be harvested in the same year under conditions of sufficient water and fertilizer and vigorous growth. The roots of Saposhnikovia divaricata go relatively deep into the soil, and the roots are brittle and easy to break, so when harvesting, a deep furrow should be opened from one end of the ditch and the roots dug out in sequence. Remove the remaining stems and leaves and soil, remove the fibrous hairs when half-dried in the sun, grade according to the thickness and length of the roots, tie into small bundles of 0.25 kg, and dry in the sun until completely dry.

Seed Retention Techniques

Select vigorous biennial plants free of pests and diseases. Apply more phosphorus fertilizer to promote flowering and full seed set. After the seeds mature, cut off the stems and branches, rub off the seeds, dry them in the shade, and store them in a cool place. In addition, at harvest time, root strips with a thickness of more than 0.7 cm can also be selected as seed roots, planted while harvesting, or temporarily planted in place and used for transplanting and setting out in the following spring.