Planting technology and cultivation management of Polygonatum odoratum

Polygonatum odoratum is a perennial herb of the genus Polygonatum of the Liliaceae family. It is not only a common Chinese medicinal material , but can also be used as a high-end nourishing food, delicacy and beverage. It is now exported in large quantities to foreign countries and has broad prospects for cultivation. So what are the planting techniques and cultivation management of Polygonatum odoratum ? Let’s learn more about it below.

1. Planting site selection

Polygonatum odoratum prefers a shady, moist, well-drained environment and is suitable for growing in a semi-shaded and semi-sunny place. Therefore, when choosing a planting site, priority should be given to places with higher terrain, deep soil and rich organic matter content.

2. Land preparation and fertilization

Before planting Polygonatum, it is best to apply 2000-3000 kg of manure, compost, etc. as base fertilizer per mu after the previous crop is harvested, deep plow the land, harrow and level it to make ridges. Generally, the ridge width is 1.6 meters, the working road width is 30-40 cm, and the ridge height is 15-30 cm. At the same time, dig drainage ditches around the area.

3. Key points for sowing

The method of horizontal strip sowing can be adopted. Dig shallow trenches horizontally on the prepared ridges for Polygonatum odoratum, with a depth of about 3 cm and a row spacing of 10 cm. Sow the seeds evenly in the trenches and cover with 2-3 cm of loose soil. There is no need to step on it. After raking it flat, cover the ridge surface with conifers, weeds or straw to keep it moist. Sow about 10 kilograms per mu.

4. Field management

(1) Irrigation: Irrigation methods include pouring water, digging trenches and sprinkler irrigation.

(2) Fertilization: In spring, when the seedlings are 5 cm tall, apply 1,000 kg of human and animal manure per mu. The second time is after the seedlings wither, apply 2,000 kg of compost or manure, plus 10 kg of phosphate fertilizer.

(3) Intertillage weeding: After the seedlings emerge, the first weeding can be done by hand pulling or shallow hoeing to avoid damaging the tender seedlings. In the second and third years, before seedlings emerge, cover the ground with a layer of fine soil with yellow grass in the winter. Since the rhizomes are densely covered on the surface, there are fewer weeds and basically no weeding is required.

(4) Pests and diseases: Polygonatum odoratum has relatively few pests and diseases. If pests occur, the damage is not serious. The key is to prevent and kill underground pests when sowing.

5. Harvesting and processing

Polygonatum is usually harvested in the third year after planting. When harvesting, care should be taken to protect the rhizomes to avoid damage. The harvested rhizomes should be properly treated, such as washing, air-drying or baking, in preparation for subsequent processing.

In general, Polygonatum odoratum is a common Chinese medicinal material, which is easy to cultivate and has high yield. However, in order to obtain higher planting benefits, it is very important to carry out scientific planting and cultivation work.