Three key points for seed propagation of the Chinese medicinal herb ginseng
GinsengSeed propagation methods: one is the direct sowing method, in which the plants are not transplanted after sowing and grow continuously for 4 to 6 years, with thinning carried out 1 to 2 times during that period; this is the direction for future development. The other is the transplanting method.
1. Site selection and land preparation: choose a place that is sheltered from the wind and faces the sun, with high soil fertility and good aeration and drainage. For land to be planted with ginseng, it is best to clear the site the previous year, plow and harrow it multiple times, mellow the soil, leave it fallow for one year, and apply farmyard manure and pesticides to increase soil fertility and eliminate pests and diseases. Make beds 1-1.5 m wide and 20-30 m long. Shade sheds include fully shaded sheds, double light-transmitting sheds, semi-light-transmitting sheds and other types, with varying specifications. Different shed types can be selected for building the shed according to climate, soil, terrain and other conditions.
2. Seed germination: ginseng seeds belong to the type with an incompletely developed embryo structure. Therefore, they must go through an after-ripening process before they can germinate and emerge. The after-ripening process can be divided into two stages: morphological after-ripening of the embryo and physiological after-ripening. The morphological after-ripening stage of the ginseng embryo requires alternating temperatures of 12-18°C for 3-4 months; the physiological after-ripening stage requires a low temperature of 2-4°C for 2-3 months.
(1) Natural outdoor germination: for seeds harvested the previous year, start germination before mid-June; for seeds harvested the same year, germinate them immediately after collection. Choose high ground sheltered from the wind and facing the sun, dig a pit 35 cm deep, with width and length depending on the amount of seed, mix 1 part seed with 3 parts moist sand, place it in the pit for alternating temperature treatment, then cover with about 6 cm of soil. Maintain appropriate humidity and check frequently; after 2-3 months, the seeds will crack and can be sown on the beds. The seeds can also be stored and sown in the following spring. Storage method: after drying the seeds in the shade, mix them with dry sand, put them in a box, and place it in a cool, dry place.
(2) Controlled indoor germination: in a room where the temperature can be controlled, keep the temperature of the germination box within the range of 10-20°C. When the seed cracking rate reaches more than 95%, store them at a low temperature of 0-5°C and sow in the following spring.
3. Sowing and transplanting: generally divided into three types: spring sowing, summer sowing and autumn sowing. For dibbling, use a dibbling machine or a hole punch for manual sowing; this is the best method for achieving rational close planting, with a plant-to-row spacing of 5 cm × 4-5 cm and 3-4 cm of soil cover. Ginseng is generally harvested after 6 years, with 1 or 2 transplantings during that period. Spring planting is carried out in mid-to-late April and should be completed before the overwintering buds sprout; autumn planting is carried out in mid-to-late October and should be completed before the soil freezes, planting as the seedlings are lifted and selecting disease-free strong seedlings. In high-altitude mountainous areas, flat planting is suitable; in low-altitude plains, slanting planting is suitable; 1-2 year old seedlings and 3-year-old small seedlings must be planted at a slant. For transplanting 1-year-old seedlings, the row-to-plant spacing is 15 cm × 6 cm, with 3-4 cm of soil cover; for transplanting 2-year-old seedlings, the row-to-plant spacing is 20 cm × 7 cm, with 4-6 cm of soil cover; for transplanting 3-year-old seedlings, the row-to-plant spacing is 25 cm × 8 cm, with 5-9 cm of soil cover.