Introduction to the Cultivation Techniques, Propagation Methods and Growth Habits of the Chinese Medicinal Herb Pokeweed

Pokeweed, also known as mountain radish, jianzhongxiao, daoshuilian and other names, is a perennial robust herbaceous plant of the genus Phytolacca in the family Phytolaccaceae. It is widely distributed in the red soil low hilly areas south of the Yangtze River. Among the varieties currently distributed in China, the main ones are pokeweed (wild radish) and American pokeweed (Phytolacca americana, also called pokeberry or ten-stamen pokeweed). It has high cultivation value. Let us take a look at the cultivation techniques for pokeweed.

Growth Habits of Pokeweed

Pokeweed has strong vitality and often grows wild at the foot of mountains, in forests, along roadsides and around houses. It is distributed in plains, hills and mountainous areas. It prefers warm and humid climate conditions, is cold-tolerant but not waterlogging-tolerant, and its suitable growth temperature is 14-30°C. The above-ground parts wither when leaves fall in autumn and winter, while the underground fleshy roots can withstand low temperatures of -15°C. It has wide adaptability to soil. Whether sandy soil or red loam soil, whether fertile or barren, it can grow luxuriantly with flourishing branches and leaves.

Propagation Techniques of Pokeweed

1. Seed propagation: For direct sowing of pokeweed, sowing is carried out in late February. As a wall-protecting green manure, shallow holes are opened on terrace walls at a spacing of 1.0 x 1.5 m and seeds are sown, with 8-10 seeds per hole (the seed germination rate is 70-80%). After sowing, cover with soil 1-2 cm deep; covering with burnt mud ash gives even better results. Seedlings emerge 20-25 d after sowing. When the seedlings are 10-15 cm tall, thin them, leaving 1-2 seedlings per hole.

2. Fleshy root planting: From mid-November to mid-December, before the perennial roots sprout, select fleshy roots with buds and roots for planting. Cut the parts with buds and roots; keep 3-4 buds and roots per piece, smear the cut surfaces with plant ash, and sow at a spacing of 40×40 cm. Cover with soil 3-4 cm deep, then apply high-quality farmyard manure and cover the bed to retain moisture. Water as appropriate to promote seedling emergence.

Cultivation Techniques of Pokeweed

1. Field management: After pokeweed seedlings are established, or in cases of severe drought, water twice in succession. When soil moisture is suitable, loosen the soil and weed shallowly, keeping the soil surface loose, moist and free of weeds. Pokeweed blooms from June to August. Except for plants kept for seed, cut off all flower stalks to reduce nutrient consumption. To help pokeweed overwinter safely and increase organic fertilizer in the soil, in late autumn and early winter, spread chopped straw and chaff such as wheat and rice chaff at 6000 kg/ha in the fields planted that year.

2. Reasonable topdressing: After pokeweed seedlings are established, spray the leaves with 0.5% urea solution, in small amounts several times, with the total amount not exceeding 225 kg/ha. In the following spring, before the plants emerge, open shallow trenches between the two rows and bury about 1200 kg/ha of potassium sulfate high-concentration compound fertilizer. From July to August, spray about 1800 kg/ha of 1% potassium sulfate or 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate, once every 15 days, for 3-4 consecutive sprays.

3. Pest and disease control: Pokeweed has no diseases throughout its growth period. Because the stems and leaves are tender, the main pest is aphids, which can be controlled with 40% keyaxing 600-fold solution or 25% pirimicarb 1000-fold solution, with a maximum of 3 applications and 2 applications respectively, and a safety interval of 7 days for both. Sometimes root rot occurs, with affected plants showing above-ground withering in a green wilt state, root stems turning brown, and in severe cases roots rotting. Choose well-drained plots for planting, drain promptly during the rainy season, and disinfect the soil with 15 kg/ha of 70% quintozene.

How to Propagate Pokeweed

How to Propagate Pokeweed

The propagation methods of pokeweed are divided into seed propagation and fleshy root planting. Moreover, the propagation methods are very simple.

Seed Propagation

The sowing time can be set in February each year. Because it helps conserve soil and water, a shallow small trench can be dug on the wall of a terrace for planting, with eight to ten seeds placed in each shallow trench. Then cover with a layer of soil; it is also said that covering with burnt mud ash gives better results. After the seedlings emerge one after another, among each cluster of seedlings, keep the robust growing seedlings and pull out the rest. After the seedlings grow to 10 cm, transplant them on a cloudy day or at a time when the sunlight is not too strong.

Fleshy Root Planting

For the propagation method of fleshy root planting, the best time is from mid-November to mid-December. Select a position on the root where there are buds and cut the surface, then smear with plant ash and sow, finally covering with a 3-4 cm layer of soil, and then applying high-quality farmyard manure. Be careful to water moderately.

Pokeweed

Family and Genus of Pokeweed

Family Phytolaccaceae, genus Phytolacca, Latin scientific name  Phytolaccaacinosa Roxb

Other Names for Pokeweed

Zhangliu, large amaranth, mountain radish, jianzhongxiao, daoshuilian, jinqiniang, zhumaer, baimuji

Distribution of Pokeweed

Pokeweed is widely distributed in the red soil hilly areas south of the Yangtze River, and is mainly produced in North China and Central China. Among the varieties currently distributed in China, the main ones are pokeweed and American pokeweed.

Morphological Characteristics of Pokeweed

Pokeweed is a perennial herbaceous plant, and the entire plant surface is hairless. It has a conical fleshy root that is relatively thick; the outer skin of the root is pale yellow or grayish brown, and the inside is yellow-white. The stem of pokeweed is upright and cylindrical, with longitudinal grooves on the surface. The stem is green in young parts and purplish red in old parts, and is much branched. The leaves are ovate, with a thin papery feel, the leaf tip is gradually pointed, the base is wedge-shaped and gradually narrowed, and the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves are scattered with tiny white spots, while the midrib on the lower surface of the leaf is raised. Pokeweed has a spike inflorescence, blooms in summer and autumn, and the flowers are white. It has eight separate carpels. The berry is purple-black, flat-spherical, and borne in clusters.

Growth Environment of Pokeweed

Pokeweed has very strong vitality and is distributed in plains, hills and mountainous areas, and is commonly seen along roadsides and around houses. Pokeweed likes warm and humid climate conditions, and the suitable growth temperature is between 14 and 30°C. After autumn, the above-ground parts of pokeweed wither after leaf fall, while the underground fleshy root can withstand low temperatures of -15°C. When it becomes warm the following year, the fleshy root sprouts and promotes the growth of the above-ground parts. Pokeweed has very strong adaptability to soil and has no special requirements for soil; basically it can grow in any soil.