Scrophularia ningpoensis Seed Prices and Planting Methods Explained

Scrophularia ningpoensis, also known as Yuanshen, Heishen, Chongtai and other names, is a tall herbaceous plant of the genus Scrophularia in the family Scrophulariaceae. It often grows in bamboo forests, beside streams, in thickets and in tall grass. In China it is distributed in Zhejiang, Sichuan, Hubei, Guizhou, Hunan, Jiangxi and other places. Its root is used as medicine and has the effects of clearing heat and cooling blood, nourishing yin and reducing fire, and removing toxin and dissipating masses. Let us take a look below at the seed prices and planting methods of Scrophularia ningpoensis!

How much is a jin of Scrophularia ningpoensis seeds?

The price of Scrophularia ningpoensis seeds is about 30 to 40 yuan per jin, but prices vary depending on seed quality, variety, place of origin, market and so on. Scrophularia ningpoensis is commonly propagated by daughter buds, seeds, division, cuttings and so on. In production, daughter bud propagation is generally used; the propagation rate with seeds is relatively low, but growing from seeds is fast, producing a crop in just one year, and with fewer diseases. At harvest time, select disease-free, robust, white daughter buds 3 to 4 cm long, keeping them from above and below the rhizome neck as propagation material. The south uses winter planting, while the north mainly uses spring planting.

Sowing methods for Scrophularia ningpoensis

1. Sowing time: In the south, Scrophularia ningpoensis is planted in both spring and autumn. Spring sowing is done in February, and autumn sowing is done in October to early November. Spring sowing can be harvested the same year, but the quality is relatively poor. Autumn sowing grows fast, is harvested the following year, and has better quality and yield than spring sowing.

2. Sowing method: Scrophularia ningpoensis is raised as seedlings in sun-facing cold frames. After the frame is prepared, irrigate and sow, spreading the seeds evenly in broadcast or drill sowing, then sift some fine soil over them to cover the seeds, and cover with a layer of rice straw or wheat straw on top, which helps preserve moisture and warmth.

3. Management after sowing: Remove the covering straw before the Scrophularia ningpoensis seedlings emerge, and take care to keep moisture until the seedlings come up. Weed frequently. After the seedlings emerge fully, thin them 2 to 3 times. Because Scrophularia ningpoensis seedlings are very slender and weak, apply a small amount of fertilizer. When the seedlings are 6 cm tall, they can be transplanted to the field.

Planting methods for Scrophularia ningpoensis

1. Land selection and preparation: For planting Scrophularia ningpoensis, choose deep sandy loam soil, and plant on sunny slopes of waste hills. A previous crop of legumes or grasses is best. The roots of Scrophularia ningpoensis go very deep into the soil and have a strong ability to absorb nutrients, so deep plowing is needed and sufficient base fertilizer should be applied.

2. Cultivation and weeding: When Scrophularia ningpoensis seedlings emerge, pull out any weeds. When weeding, do not loosen the soil too deeply, to avoid damaging the root tubers. From April to June, cultivate and weed 3 to 4 times. After June, once the plants have grown larger, there is no need to loosen the soil again, but still pull out any weeds.

3. Timely topdressing: In addition to applying sufficient base fertilizer, apply 1 to 2 topdressings of mainly phosphorus and potassium fertilizer before the rows close, and also apply some barnyard manure or compost. Apply it in small holes or trenches beside the plants, cover with soil and firm it, and earth up around the roots.

4. Reasonable thinning: In the second year after planting, Scrophularia ningpoensis will grow many seedlings from the roots, causing the roots to swell and increasing yield. Promptly pull out the excess plants, generally keeping only 2 to 3.

5. Timely topping: When Scrophularia ningpoensis grows to a certain extent, it will send up flower stalks. If the Scrophularia ningpoensis is being harvested as a commercial product and not for seed use, promptly remove the flower stalks when they emerge, so that nutrients are concentrated in the root tubers and the root tubers are encouraged to swell.

6. Watering and drainage: Scrophularia ningpoensis is relatively drought-tolerant and not tolerant of waterlogging. When drought is especially severe, water appropriately to keep the soil moist, but do not allow heavy waterlogging. In the rainy season, when there is heavy rain and standing water, drain it promptly.

Pest and disease control for Scrophularia ningpoensis

1. Leaf spot disease

[Damage] It is relatively severe in the rainy season and commonly occurs throughout the north and south. In severe cases, the leaves wither and die.

[Control] Before and in the early stage of the disease, spray 1:1:100 Bordeaux mixture or 65% zineb 500-fold solution, once every 7 to 10 days.

2. Southern blight

[Damage] It harms the roots and rhizomes. It occurs from June to September and is severe when there is a lot of rain. The roots rot, and diseased plants quickly wilt and die.

[Control] Before planting, soak the planting material in 50% tuijunte 1000-fold solution for 5 minutes, then dry it in the air before planting.

3. Cutworms

[Damage] They harm the rhizomes and tender buds of Scrophularia ningpoensis.

[Control] Dilute 100 g of 2% methomyl emulsifiable concentrate with 1 kg of water and spray it onto 100 kg of fresh grass or vegetables to make a poison bait for trapping and killing them.

4. Red spider mites

[Damage] They harm the leaves, causing white spots, yellowing of leaves and drying up.

[Control] In the early stage of the disease, spray 0.2 to 0.3 degrees Baume lime sulfur mixture for control.