How does Scutellaria barbata propagate? Introduction to common propagation methods

As a medicinal herb, Scutellaria barbata (detailed introduction) is one of the scarce Chinese medicinal materials that the State Pharmaceutical Administration of China has highlighted for development in recent years, so more and more herb growers are beginning to cultivate Scutellaria barbata. In fact, cultivating Scutellaria barbata is not difficult; artificial propagation can use sowing and division methods.

Scutellaria barbata (detailed introduction)

I. Seed propagation:(1) Seed collection. In autumn, when the small seeds turn yellow-brown, collect the mature seeds in time, dry them in the sun, remove impurities, put them in cloth bags and store them in a dry, ventilated place for later use. (2) Raising seedlings. In spring from March to April, and in autumn from September to November, on a leveled and finely raked seedbed, open shallow furrows (4-6 cm) at a row spacing of 15-20 cm for drilling, with a sowing width of 10 cm; scatter an appropriate amount of burnt soil ash on the bottom of the furrow, water the furrow or add dilute human manure and urine, then evenly scatter the seeds mixed with fine soil, sprinkle a thin layer of fine burnt soil ash or fine loess on top, and finally cover with straw or other mulch. Keep the seedbed constantly moist; generally, germination and emergence occur in about half a month. After emergence, remove the mulch, strengthen seedling-stage management, and transplant to the field when the seedlings are about 5 cm tall. (3) Direct sowing. Generally carried out in spring; on the prepared bed surface, open furrows at a row spacing of 30 cm and a furrow depth of 3-5 cm, evenly scatter seeds mixed with fine burnt soil ash or fine loess into the furrows, cover with a thin layer of fine fertile soil, then cover with grass and keep the soil layer moist. Emergence occurs in about half a month; after the seedlings are uniform, remove the grass, do a good job of seedling-stage management, and use 1 kg of seed per mu.

II. Division propagation:After the autumn harvest, dig out the old crowns together with their fibrous roots. Select root crowns that grow robustly and are free of pests and diseases, divide them into several small crowns, then on the prepared planting site dig holes at a row spacing of 30 cm and a plant spacing of 7-10 cm, plant one small crown in each hole, cover with soil and press firm after planting, apply dilute human and livestock manure water, and sprouts and emerges in the following spring.

Propagation methods and care of Scutellaria barbata

Scutellaria barbata is also called sun flower, because the flowers of Scutellaria barbata open when there is sufficient sunlight and close when the light is weak, such as on cloudy days and from evening to early morning. Because the flower shape of Scutellaria barbata resembles a peony and its leaves resemble pine needles, it is also known by the alternative names dragon-whisker peony or pine-leaf peony.

Scutellaria barbata

Scutellaria barbata is generally propagated by sowing or cuttings; sow indoors in a sunny spot in March or sow directly in the courtyard in April. The suitable temperature for seed germination is 20-25 degrees, and sprouts can appear in about 1 week. After the seedlings emerge uniformly, after slight thinning or transplanting, they can bloom in about two months; throughout the growing period, tender stems can be picked for cuttings, which root easily and bloom quickly; after transplanting, growth is very easily restored, so large seedlings can also be transplanted bare-root. The main flowering period is from July to September, and the small capsules mature from August to October. The fruit, shaped like a melon-skin cap, splits transversely when mature and immediately scatters tiny silver-gray seeds. When some corollas have already fallen off and the top lid of the capsule is straw-yellow, it is also already mature; be careful to harvest in time.

Portulaca grandiflora is a cross-pollinated plant, and seed propagation makes it difficult to maintain variety purity. For seed saving, be careful to eliminate single-petaled and small-flowered plants.

At home, it is mostly grown in shallow pots on windowsills and balconies, cultivated into a delicate and exquisite small potted flower.

How to grow Scutellaria barbata; the effects and functions of Scutellaria barbata

Scutellaria barbata is the dried aerial part of the Lamiaceae plant Scutellaria barbata, with functions such as clearing heat and detoxifying, activating blood and removing stasis, reducing swelling and relieving pain, and anti-cancer. Below, we will tell everyone about how to grow Scutellaria barbata and the effects and functions of Scutellaria barbata.

How to grow Scutellaria barbata:

1. Environment: Prefers a warm, dry environment with sufficient light; drought-tolerant, averse to waterlogging, and highly adaptable.

2. Planting: Mainly propagated by cuttings. After cutting off the branches, place them in a shaded environment for 1 day, then insert them directly into plain sand the next day; after watering, they root in a warm environment, and rooting is easy.

3. Temperature: Prefers warmth; the suitable temperature for growth is 20-30 degrees Celsius. Not cold-tolerant; the minimum temperature should not be lower than 8 degrees.

4. Light: Sensitive to light, it is a strongly sun-loving flower. Not tolerant of shade; throughout the growing period it needs sufficient light for the plant to grow and bloom normally. During the high-temperature weather of summer, which is precisely the peak period of plant growth and flowering, sufficient sunlight is also needed for the plant to bloom abundantly and for the flower colors to be vivid.

5. Watering: Because the fleshy stems and leaves can store water, it has relatively strong drought resistance and can grow and bloom even under relatively dry conditions. However, to enable the plant to grow and bloom well, an appropriate amount of water also needs to be supplied. Avoid excessive moisture and water accumulation; when there is too much water, it easily causes leggy growth of stems and leaves, and even root rot and death.

6. Pests and diseases: There are pest and disease damages such as rust disease and hawk moths.

7. Courtyard pairing: Scutellaria barbata has brilliant flower colors and is easy to cultivate, and is widely used in courtyards. It can be planted at the edges of lawns and beside paths, and can also be used as ground cover in south-facing courtyards; as a hanging pot plant hung at a porch entrance, it is also an excellent material for roof greening.

The effects and functions of Scutellaria barbata:

1. Antibacterial effect: A 50% decoction of Scutellaria barbata, using the plate trench method, has an inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella flexneri, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli.

2. Antispasmodic and expectorant effect: The safflower yellow contained in this product has a relatively strong effect against histamine-induced smooth muscle contraction, and also has a good expectorant effect.

3. Tumor-inhibiting effect: Screening tests using the methylene blue test tube method show that this product has a very mild inhibitory effect on acute granulocytic leukemia cells; screening experiments using the cell respiration apparatus method show that the inhibition rate on acute granulocytic leukemia blood cells is greater than 75%.

4. Immunomodulatory effect: The polysaccharides contained in this product can promote ConA-induced lymphocyte transformation of mouse spleen cells in vitro, with an optimal concentration of 400 r/ml. After 1 week of Sc administration, it can significantly increase the percentage of esterase-positive cells among peripheral blood lymphocytes in mice and promote DNCB-induced delayed-type hypersensitivity. However, high-dose administration (200 mg/kg) can inhibit the mouse thymus index, while having no effect on the spleen index.