Planting Methods and Cultivation Techniques for Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris)

   1. Seed propagation: sowing can be done in both spring and autumn. In spring, it is best in early to mid-March; for autumn sowing, early September is preferable. Direct sowing is mostly used. Mix the seeds with a little fine sand and evenly scatter them over the prepared beds or into shallow furrows opened at a row spacing of 33 cm, covering with soil just until the seeds are no longer visible. Seedlings emerge in about 10——15 days.    2. Division propagation: generally after the old roots sprout in spring, dig out the roots and separate them, each division needing to carry 1——2 young shoots, planting them as they are dug. Open holes at a row spacing of 27——33 cm and a hole spacing of 16——20 cm, plant 1 plant per hole, firm the soil after planting, and water to settle the roots. Selfheal sowing is generally divided into two types: drilling and broadcasting. For drilling, use the back of a hoe to open furrows at a row spacing of 5——7 cun, and evenly scatter the seeds into the furrows; for broadcasting, evenly scatter the seeds over the bed surface, then lightly sweep with a broom so the seeds are just covered. If the soil moisture is poor, cover with rice straw to retain moisture, sprinkle water after covering, and keep the bed surface moist; remove the covering straw promptly after the seedlings emerge. The seeding rate is about 1.5 kg per mu. When intercropping or relay intercropping is carried out, because the land utilization rate is relatively low, the seeding rate is generally 0.5 kg/mu.