How to propagate Panax notoginseng? A detailed explanation of common propagation methods

Panax notoginseng, also known as Sanqi and Tianqi, is a plant of the Araliaceae family. Its dried tuberous root is used as medicine; it is a precious traditional Chinese medicine, a classic remedy for stopping bleeding, and one of the main ingredients of the world-famous "Yunnan Baiyao". Modern research shows that Panax notoginseng also contains many new physiologically active components, with effects such as resisting brain aging, resisting arrhythmia, lowering blood sugar and blood lipids, and relieving pain. Panax notoginseng is propagated by seed, mainly using seedling raising and transplanting.

Seed selection. Choose a three-to-four-year-old Panax notoginseng plot with robust growth, no pests or diseases, and plump fruits as the seed plot. In early to mid-June, when the plants bolt, the small inflorescences should be removed in time to promote plump seeds. When Panax notoginseng blooms and sets fruit, the weight of the flower disk gradually increases; to prevent the pedicel from bending and breaking, a thin wooden stick or small bamboo stick must be inserted beside the plant as a support, and the flower disk tied to the support. To improve seed plumpness, apply an additional application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer from the bud stage to the flowering stage.

Seed collection. Panax notoginseng seeds generally mature from mid-October to mid-December. Because the flowering period is long, the seed maturation period is very inconsistent. According to the degree of seed maturity, it can be roughly divided into three stages: the first stage is from mid-October to early November; the second stage is in mid-to-late November; the third stage is in early to mid-December. Therefore, seed collection should be carried out in stages. When the fruits of the first and second stages mature, they are bright red, and the seeds are plump with a high germination rate; in the third stage, because the temperature is low, the fruits do not fully mature and are light yellow, and the seeds are small and not plump. Therefore, seeds from the first and second stages should be selected for seed use. The seedlings they cultivate are robust and have strong resistance to pests, diseases and stress. The harvested seeds must never be piled together, to avoid heating and rotting; they should be spread thinly on bamboo mats and placed in a ventilated, shady place. After the outer skin is slightly dry, peel them into single grains before sowing.

Seedling raising. Before sowing, disinfect the seeds with 0.2-0.3 degrees Baume lime-sulfur mixture for 10 minutes, or disinfect with a 200-300 times dilution of zineb for 15 minutes, then rinse with water, dry, and sow. The sowing period is generally from early to late November, and no later than January of the following year. Use spot sowing, which can both ensure sowing quality and improve work efficiency. After sowing, water thoroughly once, and seedlings can emerge after about 2 months. After the seedlings are cultivated for 1 year, they can be planted out.

Transplanting. It is generally carried out from late November to January of the following year before the dormant buds sprout. When lifting the seedlings, avoid damaging the roots; start from the lower side of the bed, dig them up with the roots, and then gently remove the soil. Lift the seedlings and grade them at the same time. Generally, they are divided into three grades according to seedling size; those outside the three grades should be discarded and cannot be transplanted. All qualified seed stems, after cutting off the aboveground parts, are disinfected in the same way as the seeds. After disinfection, rinse with water, dry, and then transplant.