Campanulaceae is mainly cultivated in provinces such as Anhui, Jiangsu, Hubei, and Henan. It is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, especially for its stems, which are known for their medicinal properties.
Platycodon grandiflorum typically grows in wild hillside grasslands. It prefers a warm, humid, and sunny environment, with an ideal temperature of around 20°C. The plant thrives in well-drained, sandy loam soil that is loose, fertile, and deep enough to support its deep root system.
Cultivation techniques begin with site selection and preparation. Since Platycodon is a deep-rooted plant, it should be planted in areas with sandy loam soil, sufficient sunlight, and good drainage. Before sowing, farmers apply 1500–2000 kg of fully decomposed manure, 50 kg of oil cake, and 30 kg of superphosphate as base fertilizer. These materials are usually mixed together and piled before being incorporated into the soil. The field is then plowed to a depth of 30 cm, and raised beds are made, typically 1.2–1.4 m wide and 15 cm high, with a width of 30 cm between them. Nursery beds are prepared similarly, measuring 1–1.2 m in width.
For propagation, seeds are commonly used. Seeds from two-year-old plants are preferred, as one-year-old "doll" seeds are not suitable. Seed viability lasts only one year, so they should not be stored for more than a season. There are two main methods: direct seeding (live broadcast) and transplanting seedlings. Direct seeding is generally recommended.
In live broadcasting, the best time is from early October to early November, but spring sowing can also be done from late March to early April, with mulch covering the seeds. Summer and autumn sowing times are more flexible. Seeds are sown in furrows spaced 15–25 cm apart, 1.5–2 cm deep and 10 cm wide. Mix the seeds with ash, spread evenly, cover with fine soil, and place a layer of grass on top to retain moisture. In spring, the seedlings will emerge. The recommended seed rate is 0.5–1 kg per acre. Once the seedlings reach 4 cm in height, the grass cover is removed. When they grow to 5–7 cm, thinning is done to ensure proper spacing.
For seedling transplanting, sowing takes place in February to March for spring planting, while summer and autumn planting times are more flexible. Shallow trenches are dug 10–13 cm apart and 1–1.5 cm deep. Seeds are mixed with ash and sown evenly, then covered with a thin layer of soil. A layer of grass is placed on top to maintain moisture. After germination, the grass is removed. When the seedlings reach 2 cm in height, they are transplanted. At 3–4 cm, they are spaced 3–5 cm apart. About 1.5 kg of seedlings are used per acre. After one year of growth, the plants are transplanted to the main field. In the autumn or winter when the above-ground parts wither, they are transplanted before spring sprouting. During transplanting, plants are spaced 15–20 cm apart in rows, with 5–7 cm between individual plants, and the soil is firmly compacted after planting.
Field management includes regular weeding, especially during the early growth stage. Weeding should be done 4 times in the first year and 2–3 times in the second. Top dressing involves applying diluted human urine 1–2 times, with 1500–2000 kg per mu. In early June, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are applied, along with 2000 kg of animal manure and 25–30 kg of superphosphate per acre. After winter, another round of fertilizer is applied, combining soil and foliar feeding. During summer, nitrogen should be controlled, and phosphorus and potassium are top-dressed to strengthen the stems and prevent lodging.
Drainage is crucial, especially during the hot and rainy season. Ditches must be cleared promptly to avoid waterlogging and root rot. Bud picking is essential to promote main root development; each plant should have only one bud to avoid multiple forked roots, which reduce quality. Thinning and fruit thinning can be achieved by spraying 40% ethephon at a dilution of 1000 times during full bloom, which helps increase yield. To prevent lodging, sprays such as chlorella, paclobutrazol, and diaminos are applied to two-year-old plants.
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