Four Steps of Salvia miltiorrhiza Cultivation: Teach You to Grow Salvia miltiorrhiza Well

I. Site Selection and Land Preparation

(1) Soil and Topography: It is advisable to choose sandy loam plots with deep soil layers, loose and fertile soil, relatively high terrain, and good drainage for planting. Flat land should have drainage ditches; mountainous and hilly land should preferably face the sun on low hillsides, and the slope should not be too steep - 10-30 degrees is better. Soil organic matter content should be greater than 8. The pH value should be between 6.5-7.5.

(2) Land Preparation and Fertilization: Salvia miltiorrhiza has deep roots, penetrating about 33 cm or more into the soil. Therefore, after the previous crop is harvested, deep plow the soil more than 35 cm. Combined with land preparation, apply 2500-3000 kg of decomposed barnyard manure or compost per mu, plus 50 kg of superphosphate, and plow into the soil as base fertilizer. Before planting, plow once more, break up the soil and rake it level, make raised beds 1.3 m wide, and open deep drainage ditches around the perimeter to facilitate drainage.

II. Cultivation Methods

(1) Seedling Cultivation: Salvia miltiorrhiza seedlings have a relatively high survival rate, easily achieving complete, vigorous, and strong seedlings with high and stable yields. Spring planting is done in April-May, and autumn planting in late October. Earlier is better than later - early transplanting leads to early rooting and early greening the following year. When planting, dig holes on the bed surface at a row spacing of 33 x 23 cm. The hole depth depends on the root length. Apply an appropriate amount of manure as base fertilizer at the bottom of the hole, mix evenly with the hole soil, then plant 1-2 seedlings propagated from seeds per hole. The planting depth should be based on the original natural growth depth of the seedlings, with the heart buds slightly exposed. After planting, water thoroughly to settle the roots. For large-scale planting, semi-mechanized operations can also be used: mechanical trenching, manual seedling distribution, mechanical soil covering and compaction.

(2) Root Segment Cultivation: Select healthy, pest-free root segments of Salvia miltiorrhiza grown for one year from seed propagation. Separate them by size and thickness, and cut each into 5 cm segments. Make the prepared land into high ridges 80 cm wide, and dig holes at a spacing of 25-30 cm x 30-40 cm, with a depth of 4-5 cm. Soak the cut root segments in a rooting powder solution for 30 minutes, then plant them as you take them out. Plant 1-2 segments per hole, placed upright or obliquely along the direction, do not plant upside down. After planting, cover with 4-5 cm of soil, then compact the surrounding soil and keep it moist. Seedlings will emerge in about 15 days. For large-scale planting, semi-mechanized operations can be used: mechanical trenching, manual root segment distribution, mechanical soil covering and compaction.

III. Field Management

(1) Loosening Soil and Weeding: Salvia miltiorrhiza grows slowly in the early stage, so timely loosening of soil and weeding are necessary. Generally, before the rows close, combine with topdressing 1-2 times. After the rows close, promptly remove weeds.

(2) Timely Topdressing: In mid-June, apply 50 kg of ammonium sulfate per mu. Open shallow furrows along the side of the plants, broadcast the fertilizer, then cover with soil.

(3) Pest and Disease Control: The main pests and diseases of Salvia miltiorrhiza are root rot and cutworms. Root rot causes the roots to turn black and rot, and the above-ground stems and leaves to wither and die. This disease is prone to occur during the rainy and hot season from June to August. For control, drain water promptly, avoid continuous cropping, and irrigate with 50% carbendazim at 1000 times dilution. Cutworms damage young seedlings. Use 3% malathion powder mixed with soil at 1:10 ratio, spread between rows for poisoning.

IV. Harvesting and Processing

(1) Harvesting Time: For spring-planted ones, harvest from late autumn of the same year to before the soil freezes. For autumn-planted ones, harvest from October to early November of the second year after planting, when the above-ground stems and leaves wither. When harvesting, first loosen the soil around the roots, then follow the rows and dig up all the roots. Note: try not to keep the rhizome intact. For large-scale cultivation, mechanical harvesting can be adopted.

(2) Processing Method: After digging up the root strips, do not wash with water. Remove the fibrous roots, trim the reed head, and cut off the fine tails. Then spread them in a dry, ventilated place and air-dry until 50-60% dry. Pile them up for sweating for 2-3 days, then sun-dry until completely dry, and they are ready for sale.