Detailed Explanation of Acanthopanax senticosus Planting Techniques and Cultivation Key Points
Acanthopanax senticosus, also known as kan guai bang zi and lao hu lao, often grows in hillside thickets and is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb widely used in Chinese medicine. It has the effects of tonifying the middle, benefiting essence, strengthening bones and muscles, and fortifying the will, and has good therapeutic effects on treating the "three highs," kidney deficiency, insomnia, and constipation. So, do you know how it is planted? Let's take a look below.
1. Site Selection and Land Preparation
Choose a mixed coniferous-broadleaf forest, broadleaf forest, or open woodland with a canopy density between 0.3-0.5. You can also choose fertile, well-drained barren hills and wasteland for afforestation and planting. After selecting the planting plot, carry out comprehensive clearing and disinfection of the plot, removing weeds and shrubs thoroughly. After completing the disinfection work, use the pit planting method, with each pit measuring 50×50cm, and the row spacing for afforestation at 100×150cm, controlling 400-500 plants per mu.
2. Sowing and Seedling Cultivation
Every September is the period when Acanthopanax senticosus fruits mature. At this time, harvest the fruits, remove impurities and inferior seeds after harvesting, then soak the fruits in clean water for 1-2 days, remove them and rub off the fruit skin and pulp, keeping the seeds. Rinse the seeds with clean water, dry them, then mix with wet sand and place indoors to overwinter. When spring comes the following year, take them out to dry in the sun. When one-third of the seeds have cracks, sowing can begin. The sowing time is generally from April to May. Before sowing, water the seedbed thoroughly, then evenly scatter the seeds on the bed surface, cover with 1cm of soil, then cover with plastic film or straw to keep warm and moist. Remove the covering promptly after seedlings emerge. When seedlings grow to 3-5cm, thin them promptly, and when they grow above 10cm, final thinning can be done.
3. Transplanting
When seedlings grow to 50-100cm, they can be transplanted. During transplanting, lift and plant immediately. When lifting seedlings, keep soil around the roots and be careful not to damage the root system, so as not to affect the survival rate. During transportation, take careful care not to expose seedlings to wind and sun. After arriving at the planting site, heel them in promptly to prevent water loss from affecting the survival rate. When planting, straighten the seedlings, spread out the root system, firm the soil by stepping on it, then water once to help the seedlings recover.
4. Field Management
After young trees are established, regularly loosen the soil and remove weeds to prevent weeds or shrubs from affecting the growth of the saplings. Loosening the soil helps the root system grow better. In June, apply a topdressing of fully decomposed organic fertilizer or farmyard manure once, using radial trench application at the roots. After fertilizing, cover with soil and water to dilute the fertilizer, making it easier for the root system to absorb and also avoiding root burn caused by excessive fertilizer concentration. According to the plant's growth conditions, prune reasonably, cutting off dense branches, dead branches, aged branches, diseased and rotted branches, and deformed branches to avoid nutrient consumption and promote vigorous growth.
The above are the planting techniques for Acanthopanax senticosus. We hope this helps you. To learn more about medicinal herb cultivation knowledge, please stay tuned to us.