climate
Sanguinaria canadensis plants are found growing in moist to dry woods and
thickets, often on flood plains and near shores or streams on slopes. They
grow less frequently in clearings and meadows or on dunes, and are rarely
found in disturbed sites.
soil
Blood root prefers moist acidic soil.
growing
Bloodroot propagation is typically done through seed or root division. Seeds
are not readily available in large volumes and rootstock is expensive.
Bloodroot is easily propagated by dividing the rhizomes in spring or in
fall. Plants can be started indoors from seed or seed can be directly sown
into the ground, but the rhizome divisions allow for a faster harvestable
root.
harvesting
Most bloodroot is harvested in the fall, but some is harvested in
spring. If harvesting in fall, more than likely the leaves will have died
back, making it difficult to know where plants are located unless the beds
were clearly marked beforehand. Great care should be taken not to damage the
roots.
Shake the roots free of soil and carefully remove any roots that are not
bloodroot. Bloodroot is very susceptible to mold and should be processed as soon
as possible. Wash the roots with a high-pressure stream of water from a hose.
All soil must be removed from the roots. This may require breaking some of the
larger roots to get them clean.
preserving
Once the roots are clean, they are can be dried in a warm place with high airflow. A
dehydrator, greenhouse, or room equipped with racks, dehumidifier, heater,
and fan is often used. Roots are dried at about 950F, with high air-flow, for
approximately three to seven days. Roots must be checked regularly for mold or
deterioration. When roots break without bending, they are dry enough to store.
Special attention must be paid to larger roots to be sure they are dried thoroughly. Once the roots are
completely dry, they can be stored in burlap sacks, cardboard barrels, or cardboard
boxes, in a cool, dark, dry location. They need to be protected from rodents and insects.
Dried roots can be stored for two years.
caution!
Since bloodroot preparations can also damage healthy skin, they
should be used carefully and never on broken skin or sensitive areas, such
as the eyelids, lips or genitals.