How to Propagate Polygonatum? Detailed Explanation of Propagation Methods
Polygonatum, also known as Huangji Cai, Biguan Cai, and Zhuazi Shen, is a medicinal plant with a long history of use in China, valued for its effects in tonifying the spleen and moistening the lungs to promote fluid production. In modern medicine, it is one of the important raw materials for many Chinese patent medicines, and it is currently cultivated over a very wide area nationwide. So how is it propagated during cultivation? Let's take a look together.
1. Site Selection and Land Preparation
The propagation methods of Polygonatum mainly include seed propagation and rhizome propagation, but if you want to improve propagation efficiency, the first step is to choose a good seedling-raising site. It is best to choose a moist, fully shaded area with loose-textured, well-drained sandy loam soil that retains water and fertilizer well. Before propagation, plow deeply once to keep the soil loose, and you may also apply an appropriate amount of fertilizer to speed up emergence.
2. Seed Propagation
Seed treatment: Polygonatum seeds mature in August. When the plants are budding, select healthy, pest-free plants as seed-bearing plants. Seed-bearing plants produce no yield, while on non-seed-bearing plants the flower buds should be removed promptly to save nutrients. Applying additional phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to seed-bearing plants can promote fruit development and plump seeds. When the seeds mature, collect plump seeds and subject them to sand storage treatment. Mix the seeds and fine sand evenly at a ratio of 1:3, then store the mixture in a pit 30 cm deep in a shady spot, keeping it moist.
Sowing: When preparing to sow the following year, screen the seeds out, open furrows in the plot at a row spacing of 12-15 cm, and evenly broadcast the seeds into the furrows. Cover with soil about 1.5-2 cm deep, press lightly, and water. You may cover with plastic film or straw to keep warm and moist, which helps emergence. After the seedlings emerge, remove the plastic film and straw promptly. When the seedlings grow to 6-9 cm, thin them promptly, and they can be transplanted after one year.
3. Rhizome Propagation
In late autumn or early spring, dig up the rhizomes of healthy, pest-free plants, select the young, tender growing parts at the tips, and cut them into several sections, each with 3-4 nodes. After cutting, place them in a cool, ventilated place to dry slightly, then dig holes in the plot at a plant spacing of 10-15 cm and a row spacing of 20-25 cm for planting. After planting, cover with soil, press firmly, and water. Thereafter, water once every 3-5 days to keep the soil moist, which helps emergence.
The above is an introduction to the propagation methods of Polygonatum. We hope it helps you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.