What are the methods for selecting and raising Rehmannia seeds?

Rehmannia is also called Dihuang (Rehmannia glutinosa). It is a Chinese herbal medicine with the effects of clearing heat, cooling the blood, nourishing yin and promoting fluid production, and it has many benefits for the human body. So how should Rehmannia seeds generally be selected? What are the seedling-raising methods? Friends who are thinking of growing Rehmannia can read the following to learn more!

1. How should Rehmannia seeds be selected?

For Rehmannia seeds, you should choose spring-planted Rehmannia whose plants are disease-free, grow vigorously and bear fruit in a concentrated way. Dig out the spring-planted Rehmannia, break it into small sections 5 cm long, and air-dry them for 2 hours. After the wounds heal, store them indoors or in a sand storage cellar. Spread a 10 cm layer of sand, level it, and place the pieces at a row spacing of 7-8 cm with 1 cm between each piece, then cover with 7 cm of sand. Ensure the cellar storage temperature is 5-7°C and the sand-soil moisture content is about 20%. Use 80-100 kg of seed per 667 sq m.

2. What are the seedling-raising methods for Rehmannia seeds?

1. Land selection and soil preparation

It is best to choose sandy loam with deep soil, fertility and good drainage. In the winter of the previous year or in early spring, plow the soil more than 25 cm deep, and at the same time apply 2000-3000 kg of decomposed compost and 25 kg of superphosphate per mu as base fertilizer. Then level and harrow the soil finely to make beds, generally 1.3 m wide. Pay special attention that Rehmannia should not be grown continuously on the same land, and this is also a key measure to note in land selection.

2. Seed selection and planting

In general cultivation of Rehmannia, the rhizome is used as propagation material, called 'planting stock' in production. For Rehmannia 'planting stock', generally use the 'inverted planting' 'planting stock' cultivated in July-August of the previous year, because when 'inverted planting' 'planting stock' is used as seed material, Rehmannia yields are higher, quality is better, and variety degeneration can be prevented. Before planting, remove the head and tail of the 'planting stock' and take the middle section. Then cut it into small sections 3-6 cm long, each section retaining two to three bud eyes. Dip the cut ends in plant ash, let them dry slightly, and then plant. The general planting density is 30-40 cm between rows and 25-30 cm between plants. On the prepared bed surface, dig small holes 3-5 cm deep, place 1-2 sections of 'planting stock' horizontally in each hole, cover with 1 handful of burnt soil ash mixed with manure water, and then cover with fine soil level with the bed. Each mu requires 40-60 kg of 'planting stock'. When selecting seed material, try to use 'inverted planting' 'planting stock' as much as possible and avoid using small commercial stock. At the same time, the 'old mother tubers' should be removed from the 'planting stock'. That is, the planting stock planted in the first ten days of the month.

3. Field management

(1) Thin and fill seedlings in time. When the seedlings are 10-12 cm tall, begin thinning, leaving 1 strong seedling per hole. If there are missing plants, replant promptly on cloudy days, and when replanting, lift the seedlings with soil, as this gives a higher survival rate;

(2) Cultivation and weeding. Rehmannia rhizomes enter the soil relatively shallowly, so cultivation should be shallow to avoid damaging the roots. Weeds around the young seedlings should be pulled out by hand. After the plants close their rows, stop cultivation;

(3) Topdressing. Rehmannia likes fertilizer. In addition to applying sufficient base fertilizer, after thinning apply 100 kg of superphosphate and 30 kg of decomposed cake fertilizer per mu to promote rhizome development and swelling. When the rows close, spread 1 application of burnt soil ash between the rows to promote vigorous plant growth;

(4) Irrigation. Rehmannia needs a large amount of water in the early stage, so it should be watered frequently. In the later stage, which is the period of underground rhizome swelling, water should be used sparingly. In the rainy season, drain water promptly to prevent root rot;

(5) Remove creeping surface roots. In addition to the main root, Rehmannia can also grow slender underground stems along the soil surface, called creeping surface roots. These creeping surface roots consume a relatively large amount of nutrients and should be removed promptly.

Above, the editor has explained in detail the selection of Rehmannia seeds and the seedling-raising methods. For beginners, this is quite useful. Friends who think this article is good can save it!

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