Detailed Explanation of Key Points of Panax notoginseng Cultivation and Management Techniques

Site selection: Panax notoginseng is mostly cultivated, and the cultivation land should be chosen on sunny hillsides. Generally, sandy black loam soil is best, followed by gray soil, and red soil is even less suitable. Clay soil is not suitable for cultivation. Site selection is one of the important factors determining the success or failure of introducing Panax notoginseng. It is advisable to choose hillsides at an altitude of 700-1500 m, facing east, with a slope of 10-20 degrees. In low mountain areas or hilly plain areas above 400 m in altitude, pests and diseases are relatively serious, and leaves often show early shedding. Experience has proven that it is best to choose a cool, ventilated hillside, preferably with high mountains on the west side for shade.

Erecting the shade frame: There are two methods for erecting the shade frame: one is a canopy with a wooden post and wooden crossbeam structure, that is, made of wooden strips and bamboo strips, with a frame height of 5.5-6 chi. The other is a canopy with a wooden post and wire structure, that is, using iron wire instead of crossbeams, with a post spacing of about 8 chi, requiring 120-130 wooden posts per mu. The main function of the canopy is to regulate light and temperature. Adjustments are made according to different seasons and temperature levels. In spring, the angle of sunlight projection is small and the light is weak, so the covering can be sparse, and the light transmittance can generally be 65%-75%. Later, as light intensity increases and temperature rises, the covering should gradually be made denser. Generally, north-facing slopes receive less direct sunlight and can be covered more sparsely, while south-facing slopes with strong light can be covered more densely.

Making beds: Beds are generally made along the slope direction to facilitate drainage and field operations. The bed width is 1.8-2 chi, the bed height is 5-6 cun, and the bed length can be determined according to the terrain. The ditch width is 1 chi, and the bed surface is shaped like a fish back. After making the beds, apply 30-50 dan of base fertilizer per mu on the bed surface. The base fertilizer ratio is 70% cow dung and 30% plant ash. If phosphate fertilizer (superphosphate, bone meal) is available, add about 30 jin more. The base fertilizer must be applied after full decomposition, evenly scattered on the bed surface, and fully mixed with the soil.

Seed selection and sowing: Select mature and plump seeds from the fruits produced by 3-4-year-old Panax notoginseng. In winter, from October to November, sow immediately after harvesting. After sowing, cover with a layer of fire soil mixed with fertilizer, and then cover with a layer of turf to promote seed germination. Use the spot sowing method, with row spacing and plant spacing of 3 x 2 cun or 3 x 3 cun. Each mu requires 280,000-320,000 seeds. Cover with soil 4-8 fen thick. After slightly pressing, cover with a layer of rice straw (the rice straw should be cut into 2-3 cun small sections and disinfected with lime sulfur) to prevent weed growth and water evaporation, and also to prevent rain leaking from the shade frame from damaging the bed surface and affecting seedling growth. The covering thickness is 0.3-0.5 cun, covering about 80% of the bed surface.

Transplanting to a new location: After growing in the seedbed for one year (commonly called "zi tiao"), Panax notoginseng must be transplanted to a new location. The new transplanting land must be prepared in the same way as the seedbed, preferably during Major Snow or Winter Solstice. Dig up the "zi tiao" from the seedbed, cut off the stems and leaves, and place the so-called "ke zi" into the holes. Apply a pinch of mixed fertilizer, cover with local soil about one cun, and open furrows at a row spacing of 7 x 6 cun or 8 x 6 cun, with a furrow depth of 1-1.5 cun. When planting seedlings, place the seedlings at a 20-30 degree angle to the bottom of the furrow, cover with soil while planting, with the thickness based on not exposing the bud head, and it should not be too thick. Then cover with about 0.3-0.5 cun thick crushed grass, with the principle of no soil visible.

Adjusting the shade frame: The degree of light transmittance of the shade frame is closely related to the growth and development of Panax notoginseng. If the light transmittance is too low, the plants become thin and weak, are prone to pests and diseases, and also bloom and bear fruit less. If the light transmittance is too high, the leaves turn yellow and are prone to early wilting. Generally, in spring the light transmittance is 60%-70%, in summer it is slightly lower at 45%-50%, and after the Autumn Equinox when the temperature turns cooler, the light transmittance can gradually be expanded to 50%-60%.

Weeding and topdressing: Whether it is a one-year or more than two-year plantation, weeds must be removed whenever seen. Fertilization should be done at least 4-5 times per year, and up to 7-8 times, with topdressing about once every 1-2 months. The first application is about 150 jin of plant ash and 500 jin of turf ash, carried out when 70% of seedlings have emerged. The second is around April, when leaves unfold, applying 200 jin of mixed fertilizer per mu (30 jin of cow bone meal and 50 jin of superphosphate, applied after fermentation). The third is in May, applying 200 jin of mixed fertilizer. The fourth is in July, applying green manure (chop the green manure and compost it for fermentation), and evenly scatter the fermented green manure on the bed surface.

Winter care: The main tasks are to remove residual leaves, thin the surrounding fence (adjust light transmittance to 70%-80%), and carry out one comprehensive disinfection (disinfect the shade frame, ground, and surrounding fence comprehensively with 0.2-0.3 degree lime sulfur), in order to adjust the temperature and humidity inside the frame and reduce overwintering pests and diseases. Then scatter 1000-2000 jin of mixed fertilizer on the bed surface.