Key technical measures for high-yield cultivation of Salvia miltiorrhiza

For Salvia miltiorrhiza grown by division of roots, root-crown buds, or cuttings, harvest in the same year of planting or before sprouting in the spring of the 2nd year. For those raised from seed and transplanted, harvest after the stems and leaves wither in October-November of the 2nd year after transplanting, or before sprouting in early spring of the 3rd year, digging on a sunny and relatively dry day.

Key technical measures for high-yield cultivation

Use plastic film to raise seedlings from root pieces and propagate by root-crown buds, apply sufficient base fertilizer, cultivate on high ridges, apply heavy phosphorus and potassium fertilizer in autumn, and remove flower spikes promptly.

Harvesting and processing

1. Harvesting

For Salvia miltiorrhiza grown by division of roots, root-crown buds, or cuttings, harvest in the same year of planting or before sprouting in the spring of the 2nd year. For those raised from seed and transplanted, harvest after the stems and leaves wither in October-November of the 2nd year after transplanting, or before sprouting in early spring of the 3rd year. Dig on a sunny and relatively dry day. When digging, first loosen the soil around the root zone, then dig up the entire root. Sun-dry in the field, remove the soil, and transport back; do not wash with water.

2. Processing method

Spread the transported Salvia miltiorrhiza roots in the sun until half-dry, clean off the soil on the roots, and pile them together to sweat. Each pile of 500-1000 kg, pile for 4-5 days, then air-dry for 1-2 days, so that the center of the root strips turns from white to purplish-black, then spread out and sun-dry until completely dry. Singe off the fibrous roots on the root strips with fire, put them into a bamboo basket and shake so that they rub against each other, remove the soil and fibrous roots on the root strips, and cut off the root-crown buds to finish.