Wild yam is a medicinal and edible ingredient that can be used in both food and medicine. The entire plant can be used medicinally and has the effects of dispelling wind, removing heat, and promoting blood circulation. The young fruits of wild yam are nutritious and can be eaten fresh or processed into dried fruits. Today, I will bring you the propagation technique of wild yam through division.
Image of wild yam
1. Selection of experimental site
Wild yam propagation through division does not have high soil requirements and can be grown in yellow soil, sandy soil, or limestone soil. When propagating in autumn, the experimental site should be selected in a low-lying and flat area, and it should be avoided to plant on slopes or windy areas.
2. Soil preparation and bed construction
First, dig the soil deeply, break up the soil clumps, remove weeds and grass roots, and then disinfect the soil with hydrated lime. When constructing the bed, use a 500-fold dilution of carbendazim to disinfect the soil. Then, carefully prepare the bed with a width of 1.2-1.5m. This is conducive to later planting and management. The height of the bed should be 0.2m, as a higher bed is not conducive to water retention and insulation. At the same time, the bed surface should be kept loose and well-ventilated, and it is recommended to construct the bed on a cloudy day.
3. Branch treatment
The branches used for propagation are generally taken from 2-year-old creeping vines. Cut the 2-year-old creeping vines into 15-20cm propagation segments, and each segment should have 3-8 adventitious roots, which helps to maintain the survival rate of the branches. When cutting the vines, the cutting should be round and flat, and not slanted or torn. If it is autumn propagation, the cut vines should not be left for too long. It is best to complete the cutting and planting on the same day. When encountering low temperatures, the cutting wounds can be coated with paint to prevent moisture loss.
Image of wild yam
4. Planting considerations
Whether it is spring or autumn planting, it is best not to stack the propagation vines, and they should not be tied too tightly to prevent damage to the vine surface. Before planting, keep the bed soil moist, and planting can be done in the morning or in the evening. When planting, first dig a sloping trench on the bed surface that is 30cm wide and 15cm deep, with a spacing of 50cm between the trenches. Then, place the vine with adventitious roots diagonally in the trench, with a spacing of 15-30cm between the vines. After watering enough to establish roots, leave 5cm of the vine above the soil when covering the soil, and then compact the soil.
5. Bed management
After spring planting, erect a 40%-60% light-transmitting shade net to prevent the propagation vines of wild yam from wilting due to exposure to sunlight, and pay attention to watering and moisture retention. After autumn planting, cover the bed with plastic film or straw to prevent freezing and keep warm. The plastic film should not be completely sealed, and 3-5 holes should be left on each trench surface. Drainage should be done promptly in heavy rain to prevent waterlogging. After new leaf buds emerge from the vine in the bed, spray a low concentration of N, P fertilizers to promote vine growth.
