What are the growth habits of Scutellaria baicalensis (Chinese skullcap)? Must-read before planting

Wild Scutellaria baicalensis grows on mountaintops, hillsides, forest edges, roadsides and other sunny, relatively dry places. It prefers warmth and tolerates severe cold. The underground parts of mature plants can safely overwinter at a low temperature of -35°C, and a high temperature of 35°C will not cause them to wither and die, but they cannot withstand continuous high temperatures above 40°C. It is drought-tolerant and afraid of waterlogging; standing water in the field or excessive rain causes poor growth, and in severe cases root rot and death. Land with poor drainage is not suitable for planting. Loam and sandy loam are the best soils, and neutral to slightly alkaline pH is preferable. Continuous cropping should be avoided.

Root growth habits

Scutellaria baicalensis has a taproot system. The main root grows normally in the first three years, and its length, thickness, fresh weight and dry weight all increase year by year, with a relatively high baicalin content in the main root. After the fourth year, the growth rate begins to slow down, some main roots begin to show hollow or dead centers, and this worsens year by year. In eight-year-old cultivated Scutellaria baicalensis, almost all main roots and thicker lateral roots have hollow, dead centers, and the baicalin content also drops substantially.

Stem and leaf growth habits

After Scutellaria baicalensis emerges, the main stem gradually grows taller and the number of leaves gradually increases, after which branches form and buds appear, flowers bloom and seeds set. May to June is the stem and leaf growth period. A one-year-old Scutellaria baicalensis main stem can grow about 30 pairs of leaves, of which the first five pairs each emerge 1 pair every 4 to 6 days, and thereafter leaves emerge 1 pair every 2 to 3 days.

Flowering and fruiting habits

One-year-old Scutellaria baicalensis plants generally begin to form buds 2 months after emergence. For two-year-old and older Scutellaria baicalensis, buds generally begin to form 70 to 80 days after regrowth and emergence. About 10 days after budding, flowering begins, and about 40 days later the fruits begin to mature. If environmental conditions are suitable, flowering and seed setting of Scutellaria baicalensis can continue until the frost-kill period.