Planting methods and conditions of Bupleurum

Although Bupleurum is widely distributed in mountainous areas, the most ideal planting environment is still high mountain areas with an altitude of more than 1,000 meters. The second is the sub-high mountain areas with an altitude of about 800 meters, which are also suitable for the growth of Bupleurum. It is feasible to grow Bupleurum in mountainous areas. However, as the altitude decreases and the temperature rises, the risk of diseases and pests will also increase accordingly. Therefore, when choosing a planting site, it is best to consider a semi-shaded and semi-sunny slope. Such an environment helps reduce the occurrence of diseases and pests, while providing suitable conditions for the growth of Bupleurum. Let’s learn in detail about the planting methods and conditions of Bupleurum.

1. Planting conditions

Bupleurum usually grows naturally in mountainous and hilly areas below 1,500 meters above sea level, such as barren slopes, grassy areas, roadsides, forest edges, and open spaces between forests. This plant has strong adaptability to the environment, prefers mild and humid climatic conditions, has certain cold and drought resistance characteristics, but is more sensitive to high temperature and waterlogged environments.

Bupleurum's life cycle takes two years to complete. In the first year of artificial cultivation, Bupleurum mainly grows basal leaves and stems. A few plants may bloom, but usually no fruits are produced. The plants can safely overwinter. In the spring of the second year, Bupleurum resumes growth and develops rapidly. The flowering period is from July to September, and the fruit ripening period is from August to October. Bupleurum is a cross-pollinated plant and is a neutral plant.

Bupleurum has strong drought resistance and is not particularly demanding on soil. During the seed germination stage, it is necessary to ensure that the soil has sufficient moisture. Throughout the growing cycle, additional watering is usually not required unless there is a severe drought. During the critical period of water and nutrients and after topdressing, water appropriately to meet growth needs. During the growing period, waterlogging should be avoided for Bupleurum.

In the seedling stage, Bupleurum prefers a moist and cool environment; during the growth and development period of adult plants, it requires sufficient light time and strong light intensity to ensure that it can successfully complete each growth stage. If there is insufficient light, the growing period of Bupleurum may be prolonged.

2. Planting Method

1. Land selection

Bupleurum prefers warm and humid climatic conditions and has a certain degree of drought and cold resistance, but is not adapted to waterlogging and high temperature environments. Its soil requirements are mainly good drainage, fertility, looseness and deep soil. The most suitable soil types include sandy soil, sandy loam and humus soil, and the soil pH should be controlled between 6.5 and 7.5.

2. Land consolidation

Given that Bupleurum seeds are small in size and are a root-type medicinal herb, the land needs to be deeply plowed and carefully raked, and sufficient base fertilizer must be applied. Usually, 30 kg of superphosphate and 3,000 kg of farmyard manure are required per mu of land. After spreading evenly, use agricultural machinery to turn them into the soil and level the land. High ridge cultivation and deep plowing can help increase the yield of Bupleurum. Deep plowing can enhance the soil's ability to retain fertilizer and water, and loose soil is conducive to root growth and nutrient absorption; high ridge cultivation helps to increase the surface temperature and reduce the temperature difference between day and night, thereby promoting the growth of Bupleurum.

3. Seed treatment

The flowering and fruiting period of Bupleurum is relatively long, from July to September and August to October each year, so there are differences in seed maturity and size. The germination rate is about 50%, and germination begins about 25 days after sowing. The germination rate can be effectively improved through proper seed treatment.

Currently commonly used seed treatment methods include: ① Chemical treatment, soak the seeds in 1% potassium permanganate solution for 10 minutes and then wash; ② Hormone treatment, soak the seeds in 0.5 mg/kg cytokinin solution for one day, then wash and sow; ③ Sand storage treatment, soak the seeds in 30℃ to 40℃ warm water for one day, remove the shriveled seeds, mix them with wet sand in a ratio of 1:3, and germinate them in an environment of 20℃ to 25℃. After about 15 days, most of the seeds will crack and then be sown. The sowing time is usually from March to early May in spring or from October in autumn until the soil freezes, and the sowing amount is 2.5 to 3.0 kg per mu.

4. Sowing time

Spring sowing: Soil surface temperature is stable at above 10℃ or the soil is thawed more than 10cm.

Summer sowing: also known as rainy season sowing, suitable for areas with spring drought or no irrigation conditions.

Autumn sowing: It is best to do it early, generally in early to mid-August. Seedlings will emerge in the same year after sowing. It is suitable for arid or semi- arid areas .

5. Sowing method

The sowing rate is 2 kg per mu, the row spacing and furrow depth are 25 cm and 2 cm respectively. After sowing, cover with 0.5 cm of soil and compact it, and cover with grass to maintain moisture. Before germination, water appropriately according to the soil moisture conditions.

In addition, Bupleurum can also be intercropped with cereals or oil crops . The straw needs to be removed after the crops are harvested to facilitate field management. Intercropping is beneficial to improving land utilization, solving the problem of seedling moisture retention and shading, and saving manpower and time.

6. Field management

(1) Seedling replacement and thinning

When the seedlings grow to 10cm, carry out seedling replacement and thinning, keep the spacing between rows and plants at 10cm and 15cm, and then irrigate in time to help the seedlings take root.

(2) Control stems and leaves, promote root system, and top

Bupleurum is a root medicinal material with thin and weak stems, so it is necessary to strengthen stem control and promote root growth, pay attention to soil cultivation at the roots, and inter-row cultivation and weeding. When the plant grows to 40cm, it should be topped to prevent excessive growth, and some of the clustered stems and buds should be removed in time to improve quality and yield. Topping should be done after the dew has dried or in the afternoon, avoiding rainy days.

(3) Loosening the soil by tillage

Regularly till the soil to loosen it can help roots penetrate deeper into the soil, reduce branches, and increase rhizome thickness. During the growing season, the soil generally needs to be tilled four times, especially after rain and in drought.

(4) Topdressing

During the growth period of Bupleurum chinense, top dressing should be applied at least once, usually in conjunction with the first soil loosening. The amount of fertilizer applied is 20 to 25 kilograms per mu, and the use of diammonium fertilizer or urea should be avoided.

The above is an introduction to the planting conditions and methods of Bupleurum. Bupleurum planting requires a suitable geographical environment, so don’t think that you can plant it just by having land.