Detailed Explanation of Polygonum multiflorum Planting Techniques and Field Management Methods
Polygonum multiflorum, also known as Shouwu, Shan Shouwu, and Chi Shouwu. Its tuberous roots and vines (Ye Jiaoteng) are used medicinally. After processing, the tuberous roots can tonify the liver and kidneys, benefit qi and blood, and astringe essence; Ye Jiaoteng can dispel wind-dampness, calm the mind, and stop sweating. Shouwu is a semi-heliophyte that prefers a warm and humid climate, dislikes dryness and waterlogging, and is best planted in well-drained, loose, fertile sandy loam.
I. Propagation Methods: Seed, cutting, and layering propagation
(1) Seed propagation: The fruit matures in autumn; after harvesting, dry it in the shade and store it. Sow and raise seedlings in March of spring. Prepare the seedbed and make raised beds as for general seedling beds. Open shallow furrows at a row spacing of 6-7 cun, evenly scatter the seeds into the furrows, cover with 2-3 fen of soil, cover with grass, and water. Seedlings emerge in about half a month. When the seedlings are 4-5 cun tall, they can be transplanted at a plant spacing of 0.8-1 chi × 1.2-1.5 chi.
(2) Cutting propagation: From June to August, cut relatively firm and robust branches 3-5 cun long and insert them obliquely into the seedbed. Keep the temperature at 24-28°C and the soil moist. Roots form in about 15 days, and transplanting can be done after about one more week. The transplanting spacing is the same as above.
(3) Layering propagation: From June to August, when the plants grow vigorously, select robust branches from old plants and perform wave layering, burying them about one cun into the soil and pressing them slightly firm. Roots form in more than 10 days, and they can be transplanted in the same year or the following spring.
II. Field Management
During the growing period, weed and loosen the soil in time. Apply additional human manure or urea in spring and summer each year. Apply additional decomposed compost in autumn. From the second year after transplanting, the vines are numerous and long, so supports should be set up in spring for them to twine around, which is beneficial to growth.
If leaf spot disease occurs in summer, it can be controlled with Bordeaux mixture (1:1:100); if aphids occur, they can be controlled with dimethoate.
Harvesting and Processing
Polygonum multiflorum is dug up in autumn or winter three years after planting. After digging out, remove the stems and leaves, wash off the soil, cut the large ones into thin slices about half a cun thick, leave the small ones uncut, and sun-dry or oven-dry them. Ye Jiaoteng can be harvested once each autumn starting from the second year after planting. After cutting the vines, remove the fine branches and residual leaves, tie them into bundles and sun-dry them, or cut them into sections and sun-dry them.