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Several kinds of Chinese herbal medicine planting techniques
Huang Hao
Growth Habits: Huangqi (Radix Astragali) has strong adaptability and can be grown in various soils. It is drought-resistant, cold-tolerant, and thrives best in deep, fertile soil with high productivity.
Planting Methods: The seeds can be sown in spring, summer, or autumn. Before planting, soak the seeds in warm water for 6 hours, then place them in pots and sow them. Choose well-drained sandy soil with good permeability. Apply sufficient base fertilizer, plow the land thoroughly, and create raised beds. After watering for 3-5 days, use an iron spatula to level the surface and make furrows 23-27 cm apart. Dig a shallow ditch about 1 cm deep, spread the seeds into the ditch, and cover them with soil using a large rake. Crush the soil gently, and seedlings usually emerge within 6-7 days.
Field Management: Keep the soil moist before the seedlings emerge. After emergence, reduce watering and loosen the soil more frequently. Tie down the roots when they are 6-7 cm tall, and maintain a height of 10-13 cm. When the plants reach 17-20 cm, apply top dressing with 10-15 kg of mulch fertilizer and 25-40 kg of fermented cake. Increase watering as flowering begins, and adjust the frequency accordingly. Generally, it is resistant to pests and diseases, but if there is excessive rainfall, ensure proper drainage.
Harvesting: After the first autumn harvest or the second year, collect the dried stems and leaves when they wither. Mix the soil, remove the stems, dry them, and tie them for sale. On average, 300 kg of dry product per mu is produced, along with 900-11,000 kg of fresh product.
Dry Summer: For Pinellia ternata, choose drought-resistant areas with loose, fertile sandy or semi-sandy soil. Before plowing, apply 100-150 kg of osmium and potassium fertilizers, and deeply plow the field.
Seeding Method: Use tubers for propagation. Dig furrows 21-24 cm apart, 4-6 cm deep, and plant bulbs 5-7 cm apart. Cover with soil and press lightly. If the soil is moist, no additional watering is needed until the seedlings grow.
Field Management: Plant on the east-west line of high-straw crops like corn or sorghum to promote growth. Water 2-3 times a year, and after each watering, keep the soil moist to support germination and regrowth. Water during dry periods and drain excess water during rainy seasons. No major pests or diseases are typically observed.
Harvesting and Processing: Harvest before or after the Frost Festival or in the following spring. Dig up the bulbs, process the large ones for medicinal use, and save the small ones for seeds. Dry the processed medicine and sell it.
Banlangen
Plant Features: Banlangen is 30-35 cm tall. Its root is used as medicine, while its leaves are called Daqingye.
Growth Habits: It adapts well to various soils and can be planted in both cold and warm regions. It prefers sunny conditions and avoids waterlogging.
Cultivation Management: Propagate using seeds, either in spring or summer. For spring sowing, between March and May, select well-drained, loose, and fertile soil. Sow seeds 18-20 cm apart in 15 cm deep furrows, cover with soil, and press firmly. Water after sowing. Germination occurs within 7-10 days at around 18°C. For summer sowing, follow the same method, and germination takes 4-5 days.
Field Management: Once the seedlings reach 6 cm, thin them to 5 cm spacing. Apply 15 kg of ammonium nitrate and 15 kg of superphosphate per acre after soil is covered. Water after application. During the summer solstice, apply 10 kg of urea after cutting the leaves.
Harvesting and Processing: For spring-sown Banlangen, cut the leaves once daily from the base. Dry within one or two days. Harvest roots after the Cold Dew period and dry for medicinal use. For summer-sown plants, dry the leaves and harvest roots later.
Honeysuckle
Honeysuckle is a perennial shrub belonging to the Caprifoliaceae family, found throughout China and can survive temperatures as low as -35°C to -40°C.
The plant has erect stems and grows up to 1-1.5 meters in the first year. Pruning is essential to encourage lateral branches, which increases yield. Plant 450-500 shoots per mu, with a survival rate over 98%.
In the first half of the year, pick buds when ready. Pick once mid-Mid-Autumn Festival, dry in a ventilated and dry place, and replant for the next productive season. It yields 100-150 kg of dried flowers per mu. Winter planting requires careful care, and spring planting produces flowers by June. Plant in rows 1.5 meters apart with 1.2 meters between plants. Dig small pits, add water for survival. It thrives on hillsides and wastelands and is also used as an ornamental bonsai.
Field Management: At the end of each fall, remove litter from the base and peel off the bark to reduce pest and disease risks. Turn the soil 30 cm deep around the stems, apply 5-10 kg of organic fertilizer per plant, and optionally add 0.1 kg of superphosphate. Create a high-low center pattern for rainwater collection. After picking, apply quick-release fertilizer to boost the second crop.
Pruning: Winter pruning is done after leaves fall and before spring growth. Follow the principle of "light cutting on weak branches, heavy shearing on strong ones." Retain 8-10 buds on strong branches, 3-5 buds on weak ones, and remove diseased or tangled branches. Adjust based on local conditions, avoiding excessive cuts. For healthy plants, use a "reduction" method to transform old stems. For young plants, cultivate 3-5 main trunks, ensuring even spacing and short tips to promote thickening.
Summer pruning significantly increases yield, especially for the second and third flower clusters. Proper pruning improves quality and makes harvesting easier. After picking the initial flowers, cut back vigorously growing branches to control apical dominance and encourage new shoots. Remove thin, yellowing branches completely.
Harvesting: Harvest 15-20 days after budding when the buds are swollen and greenish-white. Delaying harvest causes flowers to open, reducing quality and yield. Pick early in the morning and dry promptly.
Processing: Natural drying involves spreading the flowers on clean mats, 2 cm thick, under sunlight. Avoid rain to maintain quality. Drying in a controlled room at 45°C, then 60°C, with multiple cycles of ventilation. Alternatively, use sulfur fumigation for faster drying.