Pseudostellaria heterophylla likes warmth and moisture and fears high temperatures; planting management and pest control require attention

1. Overview

Pseudostellaria heterophyllais a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Pseudostellaria in the carnation family, also known as hai'ersheng and tongshen. Its tuberous roots are used as medicine and have the effects of tonifying qi and promoting fluid production and tonifying the spleen and stomach. Pseudostellaria heterophylla likes a mild, humid climate and can tolerate cold, but fears high temperatures and strong light, and grows well under shady and moist conditions. It requires planting in loose, fertile, humus-rich, well-drained sandy loam or light loam, while poor, overly clayey or poorly drained and low-lying land is not suitable for planting. It is mainly produced in Liaoning, Hebei, Jiangsu, Shandong, Anhui and other provinces.

2. Cultivation techniques

(1) Propagation. Pseudostellaria heterophylla is propagated by two methods: seeds and tuberous roots. Tuberous root propagation is the main method.

① Seed propagation. The fruits of Pseudostellaria heterophylla scatter as soon as they mature, so the harvest timing should be grasped well. After harvesting, thresh and store in sand. It can be sown in autumn of the same year or spring of the following year. When sowing, open transverse furrows in the seedbed at a row spacing of 15—20 cm and a depth of 1 cm, sow the sprouted seeds into the furrows, cover with about 1 cm of soil, cover with weeds on top, and water to keep moist. Seedlings emerge in about 15 days.

② Tuberous root propagation. To provide shade, intercropping with summer and autumn crops between the rows is used. When high temperatures arrive and Pseudostellaria heterophylla turns yellow and withers, the summer and autumn crops grow. After the autumn harvest, planting is carried out. Planting can be done in late October before the ground freezes. The tuberous roots are dug up in early July, and robust, complete, plump, uniform tuberous roots with healthy terminal buds and no pests or diseases are selected as seed stock. After the seed stock is air-dried, it is mixed evenly with 2—3 times its amount of river sand and stored. When planting, take out the seed stock, open transverse furrows on the bed surface at a row spacing of 12—15 cm and a depth of 8 cm, place the buds upward at a plant spacing of 6 cm, slanting them into the furrows in the same direction, cover with soil, and water thoroughly once. Cover the bed surface with grass to keep warm and moist. About 45 kg of seed stock is needed per 667 sq m.

(2) Field management. During the seedling stage of Pseudostellaria heterophylla, weeds should be removed frequently and soil should be banked up. After the seedlings are fully established, apply topdressing once, applying 1500 kg of human and livestock manure per 667 sq m. After the plants close the rows, weeding can be stopped. Drainage should be noted during the rainy season, as Pseudostellaria heterophylla fears waterlogging. However, when the soil is dry, water should be applied in a timely manner.

(3) Disease control. Pseudostellaria heterophylla is susceptible to root rot, and in severe cases the entire root rots.

Control methods:

① Pay attention to drainage after rain.

② Before planting, soak the tuberous roots in a 200-fold dilution of 25% carbendazim for 10 minutes, then air-dry before planting.

③ In the early stage of the disease, irrigate the diseased plants with an 800-1000-fold dilution of 50% carbendazim, or a 1000-fold dilution of 50% thiophanate-methyl.

In addition, Pseudostellaria heterophylla also has leaf spot disease, which can be controlled with Bordeaux mixture.

3. Harvesting and processing

Harvesting of Pseudostellaria heterophylla is carried out in early July, except for seed plots. When digging, do not bruise the buds, and keep the shape intact. After harvesting, remove the stems and leaves, wash the roots, remove the fibrous roots, and sun-dry. Alternatively, sun-dry until soft, wash, put into a pot of boiling water, blanch for 2—3 minutes, take out and sun-dry. For Pseudostellaria heterophylla cultivated for two years, harvesting generally yields 200 kg of mixed-grade dried goods per 667 sq m.