Studies on Growth and cultivation of Coptis Japonica Makino : I. Procese of growth and its characteristic

Abstract

For the eight years from 1957 to 64 we have observed and investigated the annual growth of Coptis Japonica Makino, and the whole process of its growth range from sowing to harvesting at a representative producing center in this prefecture. The following are our findings. 1. The whole growth process of the plant may be roughly divided into five stages: (1) the flowering fruit-bearing period, (2) the period in which new leaves and rhizomes grow and lengthen, (3) the period in which they cease to grow in summer, (4) the period in which flower and leaf-buds grow thicker, and (5) the period in which they cease to grow in winter. 2. The second period is that in which its growth is at the highest, and the fourth period is on important one affecting its growing conditions in the first period of the following spring. The nutrition and fertilization conditions of the two periods mentioned above may be considered of most importance for the culture of the plant. 3. The' amount of growth of rhizomes is determined by the number and areas of leaves. In order to forward the growth of rhizomes within a limited short space of time, it is necessary for us to procure a plant with ten leaves or so in a short space of time. 4. A plant more than ten years old becomes senescent in its old rhizomes and of poor quality.