Which month is suitable for planting Salvia miltiorrhiza?

Salvia miltiorrhiza is mainly distributed in Anhui, Shanxi, Shaanxi and Gansu in China. It likes warm and humid climate and has moderate requirements for light. It is neither resistant to strong light nor shade. The growth cycle of Salvia miltiorrhiza is generally two years. The first year is mainly for vegetative growth, forming a huge root system and above-ground parts, laying the foundation for reproductive growth in the second year. So which month is suitable for planting Salvia miltiorrhiza?

Which month is suitable for planting Salvia miltiorrhiza?

The best time to plant salvia varies by region, but generally speaking, spring is the best time to plant salvia. The following are specific planting time recommendations:

1. Northern Region

It is usually planted in late March to early April in spring.

2. The Yellow River Basin

The most suitable planting time is around July to September.

3. Yangtze River Basin (central Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Hunan, central Sichuan, Chongqing, central and eastern Guizhou)

The best cultivation time is November-December and early spring from February to April.

4. Southern region (southern Jiangsu, southern Sichuan, southern Guizhou, Yunnan, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong)

The best planting time is from October to March of the following year.

5. Huanghuai River Basin (Shandong, Shanxi, Henan, southern Hebei, Shaanxi, Gansu)

The best planting time is late autumn in November and early spring in February to April.

6. Northern region (Liaoning, Jilin, northern Hebei, Ningxia, Inner Mongolia)

The best planting time is March to May.

Soil conditions for planting Salvia miltiorrhiza

Salvia miltiorrhiza grows best in acidic or slightly acidic soil with a pH value between 5.5 and 7.5. The soil needs to be fertile and provide adequate nutrients to support the growth of salvia. The soil should be loose to facilitate root development and drainage. The soil should be well-drained to avoid waterlogging which can lead to root diseases. The soil layer needs to be deep to support the in-depth development of the Salvia miltiorrhiza root system. Generally, the soil layer depth is required to be around 40-50 cm.

To sum up, the planting time of Salvia miltiorrhiza is mostly concentrated in spring from March to May, and it can also be planted in autumn in some areas. The specific planting time should be determined according to local climatic conditions and soil conditions to ensure the growth and development of Salvia miltiorrhiza.