Detailed Explanation of Sexual Propagation Methods and Technical Key Points for Asarum

For sexual propagation, both drilling and broadcasting can be used, with broadcasting being better. When seeds are freshly collected, the germination rate reaches 96%; after dry storage for 20 days it is 81%; for 40 days it is 29%; for 60 days it is only 2%. Therefore, after the seeds mature and are harvested in June-July, they should be sown immediately. If sowing cannot be done for some reason, mix 3 parts wet sand with 1 part seeds evenly, then bury them in a shaded place to maintain appropriate moisture, but sowing must not be later than the end of July; if too late, root growth will be affected. About 5 kg of fresh seeds are needed per mu.

Broadcasting: forest intercropping seedling raising mostly uses broadcasting. Because its soil is loose and fertile, the seeds emerge easily, and the seedlings are evenly distributed, which is good for root growth. Before sowing, remove 3-5 cm from the bed surface, level the bottom of the border with an iron rake, mix the seeds with 5-10 times their volume of fine sand or fine humus soil, and spread them evenly on the trench surface with a seed spacing of 1-2 cm, then cover with 1-1.5 cm of sieved fine humus soil. Cover the bed surface with a layer of brushwood or leaves to preserve moisture and prevent rain erosion. The sowing rate is 15 g/sq m.

Drilling: open shallow flat-bottomed furrows across the bed surface with a row spacing of 10 cm, width of 5-6 cm, and depth of about 3 cm, sow the seeds evenly into the furrows (seed spacing 1-2 cm, sowing rate 12-15 g/sq m), cover with 1-1.5 cm of sieved fine humus soil, tread once, water, and after 2-3 days cover with a layer of brushwood or leaves to preserve moisture.

After sowing, Asarum takes root in the same year but does not emerge. In the spring of the second year, before emergence, the covering material should be removed in time to facilitate emergence.

Transplanting: seedlings are transplanted after 2-3 years of cultivation. Planting can be done in spring or autumn, but autumn planting is better. For autumn planting, do it after the leaves wither; for spring planting, do it before the buds sprout, selecting strong seedlings with complete fibrous roots and no pests or diseases. On a previously prepared seedbed, open furrows across it with a row spacing of 15-20 cm and a depth of 9-10 cm for clump planting. The clump spacing is 8-10 cm; plant 3-4 small seedlings per clump, or 2-3 large seedlings per clump, with the buds separated and slightly raised, and the fibrous roots spread out in a fan shape; if the soil is dry, water is needed, and after the water seeps down, cover with 7-8 cm of soil (for field transplanting, the soil cover can be shallower), and press lightly. After autumn planting, cover the border surface with dead branches and fallen leaves to prevent rain erosion or soil compaction; if transplanting in early spring, a shade shed is needed. Rhizome propagation is mostly carried out together with harvesting for medicinal use. After digging out Asarum, most rhizomes and fibrous roots are processed for medicinal use, and plump, robust rhizomes with full apical buds are selected and cut into planting stock 4-5 cm long, with 2-3 buds and 15-20 fibrous roots.