What is the planting season for Polygonatum sibiricum?

Polygonatum sibiricum is a medicinal material widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. Its rhizome is mainly used as medicine. It comes from the dried rhizome of the Polygonatum genus of the Liliaceae family. Because of its shape like a chicken head, it is also called "chicken head ginseng". Let’s learn together what is the planting season for Polygonatum sibiricum ?

What is the planting season for Polygonatum sibiricum?

The planting season of Polygonatum sibiricum is usually in spring or autumn every year. Specifically, mid-March to early April in spring is the ideal planting time because the spring climate is warm, which is suitable for the growth of Polygonatum sibiricum. It has strong germination and growth ability, is easy to cultivate, and grows fast. It is also feasible from September to October in autumn, but spring planting is more suitable in northern regions because the temperature gradually drops in autumn and Polygonatum sibiricum likes to grow in a warm environment. Planting in spring helps to increase the germination rate. In terms of planting methods, Polygonatum sibiricum can be propagated by rhizomes or seeds. Rhizome propagation is usually carried out in late autumn or early spring, while seed propagation is carried out by storing the seeds in sand after they mature in August and sowing them in the spring of the following year.

Key points for cultivation of Polygonatum sibiricum

Seedling cultivation: Polygonatum sibiricum is mainly propagated through rhizomes. Select 1 to 2 year old, healthy and disease-free plants, keep the tender buds at the front end of the rhizome when digging, and cut them into small sections with 2 to 3 segments. After the cut is dried naturally, it can be planted in late March in spring and in September to early October in autumn, depending on the season. When planting, keep the row spacing between 23 and 30 cm and the furrow depth between 7 and 9 cm. Place the seed buds facing upwards, flatten them every 10 to 15 cm, and cover them with 5 to 7 cm of soil. Water once every 3 to 5 days after planting.

Land preparation: Choose to plant under moist trees or on the edge of mountain forests, or on flat land with shade conditions. After deep plowing, apply about 2,000 kg of well-rotted farmyard manure or compost per mu, mix it into the soil, then harrow it flat to make 130 cm wide high ridges and dig 40 cm deep furrows to ensure good drainage all around.

Transplanting: Late March in spring is the best time for transplanting. The row spacing is kept at 25 cm, the plant spacing is 15 to 20 cm, and the cultivation depth is about 10 cm. After digging the planting holes, apply appropriate amount of soil and fertilizer, plant one plant in each hole, cover and compact the soil, and water thoroughly. Then cover the soil until it is level with the bed surface, and water again 3 to 5 days after transplanting.

Field management:

Top dressing: Combined with tillage and weeding, top dressing should be carried out four times a year. After the first three tillages, apply 1,500 to 2,000 kilograms of human and animal manure and urine per mu. The fourth winter fertilizer should be applied with emphasis, with 1,500 kg of soil and miscellaneous fertilizer, 50 kg of superphosphate and 50 kg of oil cake fertilizer applied per mu. After mixing evenly, apply in furrows between rows, cover with soil and cultivate appropriately after application.

Intertillage: Intertillage and weeding should be carried out regularly during the growing season, with shallow intertillage carried out once in April, June, September and November each year to avoid damaging the root system.

Water management: Polygonatum sibiricum likes moisture and is afraid of dryness, so the field needs to maintain appropriate humidity. Water the plant promptly during droughts and pay attention to drainage during the rainy season to prevent water accumulation and root rot.

The above is an introduction to the planting season and management methods of Polygonatum sibiricum. Although the demand for Polygonatum sibiricum is high, people should not blindly follow the trend and plant it.