BAIKAL SKULLCAP
Other Common Names Include:
Huáng qin (dried roots)
Latin Name: Scutellaria baicalensis
Plant Family: Lamiaceae
Close Relatives: Mint, basil, oregano, thyme
Uses and Markets: Medicinal (e.g. roots used in treatment of disorders of the respiratory and digestive system); Ornamental
Production Life Cycle in Ontario
Perennial
Hardiness Zone
5b
Special Notes
Baikal skullcap should not be confused with the separate species Virginian skullcap.
Propagation method
Most commonly by direct seeding, transplants from seeds or by division. Transplanting from plug trays may negatively affect root shape.
Greenhouse Seeding/Propagation Dates
March to April
Field Seeding Date:
April to May
Field Transplanting Dates
Late-May to June
In-row spacing
20-30 cm
Between row spacing
30-50 cm
Optimal Soil temperature at planting
>10°C
Fertility
No current Ontario fertility recommendations exist. Research and recommendations from outside Ontario do not necessarily apply to Ontario growing conditions. The nitrogen requirements of this crop have not been determined. Click here for phosphorus and potassium application guidelines and for more information on specialty crop fertility.
Soil type
Well-drained soils; sandy to clay loam soils. Baikal skullcap will tolerate drier soils than Virginian skullcap.
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Special requirements for growth habit
None
Optimal Temperature Range
Unknown
Temperature sensitivity
Freeze tolerant.
Irrigation requirements
Irrigation beneficial under normal Ontario conditions.
Days to harvest
3-4 years
Specialized equipment
Modified potato digger.
Harvest:
Single harvest
Harvest Scheduling
Single harvest
Hand harvest or machine harvest
Hand or machine harvest (modified potato digger).
Quality parameters/grades
No established grades. Quality is determined by the market.
Additional Harvest Notes
Harvest roots in the fall or spring following 3 or 4 years of growth.
Post harvest
Special handling/curing
Dry roots at 38°C or lower, preferably in forced-air kilns.
Storage Conditions
Relative humidity (RH):Store dried product at low humidity to prolong shelf-life.
Temperature (°C): Low temperatures will prolong shelf-life.
Duration: Quality degrades over time but no storage life has been established.
Specific pests observed on this crop in Ontario (observations based on limited experience with this crop)
Insects and Invertebrates: Leafhoppers
Diseases: Powdery mildew
Other Potential Pests: The following pests have not been observed on this crop in Ontario. However, they are either significant concerns for closely related plants in Ontario, or are reported on this crop in other production areas. This is not a comprehensive list of all potential pests. Not all of these pests will necessarily survive Ontario’s climate, but could potentially survive in a protected environment (e.g. greenhouse, storage facility).
Insects and Invertebrates: Leaf beetles
Diseases: Root rots (e.g. Pythium, Phytophthora), tomato spotted wilt virus, impatiens necrotic spot virus
*Indicates pests commonly mentioned as causing significant damage or economic loss to this crop in other regions.
Comments
To date the following pests have been the most significant in Ontario: none. This crop is not in a crop group. There is no pest control products registered for this crop in Canada. For more information on Crop Groups, refer to the Pest section. Always refer to product labels, and follow all directions specified on the label, before applying any pest control product. For more information, consult an OMAFRA specialist.
Research at the University of Guelph has studied the phytochemistry, genomics and antioxidant potential of this crop.
- Elford, E., Filotas, M., Todd, J., and S. Westerveld. 2009. Non-traditional crops demonstration garden. OMAFRA Simcoe Resource Centre, unpublished.
- McKeown, A.W., C.J. Bakker and J. Schooley. 1998-2002. Herb Demonstration Garden, University of Guelph Simcoe Research Station, unpublished.
- Westerveld, S., Elford, E., Filotas, M. and J. Todd. 2010-present. OMAFRA herb demonstration garden. OMAFRA Simcoe Resource Centre, unpublished.
- Cole, I.B., Cao, J., Alan, A.R., Saxena, P.K. and S.J. Murch. 2008. Comparisons of Scutellaria baicalensis, Scutellaria lateriflora and Scutellaria racemosa: Genome size, antioxidant potential and phytochemistry. Planta Medica 74:474-481.
- Bown, D. 1995. The Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Herbs and There Uses. BCA, Toronto.
- Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture. 2010. Skullcap. Government of Saskatchewan. http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/default.aspx?dn=a6cd8eb3-e7fd-4b57-9d21-5d83a74c75bf
