How to Propagate Pinellia? Detailed Explanation of Key Points on Pinellia Propagation Techniques

Pinellia propagation is mainly done through tubers and bulbils, and can also be done by seed, but the seed germination rate is not high and the production cycle is long, so it is generally not used.

1. Tuber propagation: After Pinellia has been cultivated for 2-3 years, the underground tubers can be dug out after the plants wither in June, August, and October each year. Select small tubers with a transverse diameter of 0.5-1 cm, vigorous growth, and no pests or diseases for use as seed. Mix the seed tubers with fine sandy soil of moderate moisture and store them in a ventilated and cool place, then take them out for planting in the same winter or the following spring. Spring planting is preferable, while autumn and winter planting yields low output. For spring planting, earlier is better than later. In the warm Jiangnan region, in mid-December, open horizontal trenches on a finely leveled and raked seedbed for row sowing. With a row spacing of 12-15 cm and a plant spacing of 5-10 cm, open trenches about 10 cm wide and about 5 cm deep, and arrange two staggered rows in each trench, placing the buds upward into the trench. After planting, apply a layer of mixed fertilizer soil on top (made by evenly mixing decomposed compost and barnyard manure with human and livestock manure, burnt soil ash, etc.). The dosage per mu is about 2000 kg. Then, draw the trench soil up to cover them, about 15-7 cm thick. About 100 kg of seed planting material is needed per mu. Properly close planting of Pinellia is necessary for uniform seedling growth and high yield. If too dense, the seedlings grow weak and weeding is difficult; if too sparse, there are few seedlings and many weeds, and the yield is low. The covering soil should also be moderate. If too thick, emergence is difficult, and although the bulbils will be large in the future, they often form in the soil and are not easy to harvest; if too thin, the seed tubers are likely to shrink and fail to germinate. After planting, if dry weather occurs, water promptly and always keep the soil moist.

2. Bulbil propagation: Each stem and leaf of Pinellia bears 1 bulbil. The quantity is sufficient, and the bulbils germinate reliably and mature early, making them the main propagation material. In summer and autumn, when the old leaves are about to wither, the bulbils have matured and can be collected for propagation. Dig holes and sow at a row spacing and plant spacing of 10X8 cm, with 2-3 grains per hole. They can also be propagated by covering with soil in place, that is, each time a batch of plants withers, cover with soil once, so as not to expose the bulbils. At the same time, apply an appropriate amount of mixed fertilizer. This can not only promote the sprouting and growth of bulbils, but also add fertilizer for the mother tubers, achieving two benefits at once and helping increase yield.

3. Seed propagation: Pinellia that is more than 2 years old can bloom and bear fruit successively from early summer to autumn and winter. When the spathe turns yellow and droops, collect the seeds and store them in wet sand. In early to mid-March to April of the following year, sow in shallow trenches on the seedbed at a row spacing of 5-7 cm, cover with 1 cm of fine soil after sowing, and cover with grass to keep warm and moist. Seedlings can emerge in about half a month. However, the emergence rate is relatively low, so it is generally not used in production.

Regardless of which propagation method is used, water thoroughly once before sowing to facilitate emergence.