This document discusses propagation methods for two medicinal plant species: 1) Dactylorhiza hatagirea can be propagated vegetatively through rhizomes or tubers, or reproductively through seeds. Seeds are collected in October-November and sown the following spring. Rhizomes sprout within a week when soaked and planted. 2) Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora regenerates naturally through rhizomes and seeds. It can also be propagated vegetatively through rhizomes or reproductively by collecting and stratifying seeds in the fall and sowing them the following spring. Rhizome cultivation is faster than growing from seed.

1. Scientific name: Dactylorhiza hatagirea,
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Family: Orchidaceae
Propagation Methods:
▶ Cultivation can be done by vegetative and reproductive
methods.
▶ Rhizomes/tubers are used as vegetative means and seeds are used as
reproductive means.
▶ Propagation can also be done by tissue culture method.
▶ Its extensive commercial cultivation has yet to be practiced in
Nepal.
Panchaule

2. Propagation by seed
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▶ Seed is collected during Oct-Nov.
▶ Seeds are sown in nursery beds duringApril-May.
▶ About one kg seed is needed to cultivate one ha field.
▶ Seeds have very low germination capacity.
▶ Seedlings from nursery can be transplanted in the field in June- July.
Vegetative propagation
▶ Usage of rhizome for large scale cultivation is best suited.
▶ Rhizomes/tubers are used for vegetative propagation.
▶ For vegetative propagation sprouted cuttings are soaked in water for one night and implanted
in nursery bed inApril-May.
▶ About 90% rhizomes germinate or sprout within one week.
Panchaule

3. Cultivation method
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▶ Seedlings of height 15 cm in bed should be transplanted to the cultivation
plot during rainy season, June-July.
▶ Spacing of 30 cm for each seedling and 60 cm for each row.
▶ Gentle slopes, open moist areas and humus soil of the subalpine and alpine zones are suitable and
cultivation for better growth.
▶ Cultivation land is prepared with the treatment of compost manure 15-20 tonnes/ha.
▶ Weeding is necessary in every 2 months.
▶ Irrigation and hoeing is also preferred.
▶ An average of 300 kg rhizomes can be harvested from 1 ha cultivation.
▶ Rhizome collection can be done in Oct-Nov from 4-5 years old mother plant.
Panchaule

4. Scientific name : Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Propagation Method
▶ Natural regeneration takes place by rhizomes and seeds.
▶ During winter the above ground part dries and gets buried under snow. In the
beginning of summer the plant starts growing from dormant underground rhizomes.
▶ Rhizome cultivation is faster than seed cultivation.
▶ Trial commercial cultivation has started in Himalayan districts.
Propagation by seed
▶ Mature seeds from 2-3 years mother plant is collected during October
and stored in dry place.
▶ The seeds are sown in the nursery during March-April.
▶ For better germination seeds are soaked in water for 24 hours.
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Kutki

5. ▶ Seeds are mixed with sand at the ratio of 1:5, about one kg seed is required for one
ha kutki cultivation.
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▶ Seeds are sown at a spacing of 10 cm each in a row. Can also be sown directly in
poly bags.
▶ Germination takes place in 15-30 days. Germination percentage is about 60.
Vegetative propagation :
▶ Rhizomes with 3-4 cm in length from 2-3 years mature plant are
appropriate for cultivation.
▶ Rhizomes are implanted in nursery in November-December keeping distance 30x30 cm
for individuals and 60x60 cm for rows.
▶ It is said that production from rhizome cultivation has better quality.
Kutki