How to Grow Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza)? Detailed Guide to Scientific Cultivation Methods

Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) is a ginseng-type plant. Because it looks red, it is also called blood ginseng. It is widely distributed across various regions of Sichuan, especially grown most abundantly in Zhongjiang. When growing Danshen, sweet potato fields or corn fields are generally chosen as the previous crop, and then the land is prepared before planting. So how should this Chinese medicinal herb plant be cultivated? Let me introduce the cultivation methods below!

I. Planting Methods

1. Root Division Propagation

In the production areas of Sichuan, root division propagation is mostly used. The Danshen to be used for planting is left in the ground, and when it is time to plant, it can be dug up at any time for planting. When selecting, choose ones that are free of pests and diseases, thick, and red in color. Planting can be done in February to March, or in November. After determining the row spacing and plant spacing, planting can begin. After planting, pig manure and urine can be applied, generally 1500-2000 kg of fertilizer per mu. When using root division planting, attention must be paid to measures for keeping the roots warm.

2. Cutting Propagation

Cutting propagation is mainly used more in North China. For seed selection, use the aboveground stems of Danshen. After taking out the aboveground stems, use special scissors to remove part of the lower leaves and cut the upper part in half. After cutting, they can be inserted as cuttings. Insert the cuttings according to a certain row spacing and plant spacing. After cutting, water them. Once they grow to a certain length, they can be transplanted into the ground.

3. Seed Propagation

The seed propagation method is relatively simple. First, soak the seeds and treat them for disinfection and sterilization, then drill them in rows. After sowing, water them, then cover with plastic film. After covering with soil, cover the seeds, then cover with grass to retain moisture. For direct sowing, mid-April in North China is the best time for sowing. After half a month, the follow-up work such as seedling emergence and thinning can be carried out.

II. Field Management

1. Intertillage and Weeding

Because the soil covering is relatively thick, seedling emergence will also be relatively slow. Therefore, we should choose the time when the seedlings begin to emerge to check the growth of the seedlings. If there is soil hardening, it will affect seedling emergence, so it greatly affects seedling emergence. The covering soil of the holes should be opened in time to promote the speed of seedling emergence.

2. Fertilization

During the growth period, combined with intertillage and weeding, generally apply topdressing more than 2 times as appropriate, using more than 1000 kg of fermented farmyard manure per mu. If rainfall is not ideal, more can be applied. Other fertilizers such as cake fertilizer can also be used. There is no restriction on the type, as long as a sufficient amount is ensured.

3. Drainage and Irrigation

Observe the drainage situation regularly to avoid waterlogging. During the seedling emergence stage and seedling stage, keep the soil moist and irrigate or water it in time.

III. Pest and Disease Control

1. Root Rot

Root rot is a disease that occurs mostly in hot and rainy seasons. After being affected by root rot, the roots of the damaged plants will turn black, and the upper part of the Danshen will also turn black. For areas with plants suffering from this disease, continuous cropping must be avoided to prevent the spread of the pathogen, and then a carbendazim solution should be used for irrigation.

2. Aphids

Aphids mainly feed on the sap of plants and occur mostly in summer. Therefore, we can use dimethoate for spraying treatment, spraying once a week. After spraying several times in succession, they can be controlled.

The above are the scientific cultivation methods for Danshen. The more common pests and diseases of Danshen are aphids and root rot. Others actually include silver Y moths, cotton bollworms, and white grubs, but these are relatively rare. The common ones are those two, so they are not introduced in detail. To learn more related information, please continue to follow Qinnong Network!