How many years does it take for tsaoko (Amomum tsaoko) to grow from planting to bearing fruit?

Tsaoko is one of the major bulk varieties of Chinese medicinal herbs used both as medicine and food. Tsaoko is used as a flavoring spice, and aromatic oil can be extracted from the whole plant, giving it relatively high economic value. So, how long does it take for planted tsaoko to flower and bear fruit? What is the price per jin?

1. How long does it take for planted tsaoko to flower and bear fruit?

Planted tsaoko flowers and bears fruit in 2 years, with higher yields after 6 to 7 years. The flowering period is from April to June, and the fruiting period is from August to September in Guangdong and from November to December in Yunnan. When the fruit turns reddish-brown and has not yet split, harvest it, dry it in the sun or over a low fire, or scald the fruit in boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes and then store it in a dry, ventilated place.

2. Tsaoko market price:

Affected by the continued decline in prices at the place of origin, the market price has kept falling. At present, the price of tsaoko is around 60-75 yuan per kg.

3. Distribution of tsaoko producing areas

Tsaoko producing areas are distributed in Yunnan, Guangxi, Guizhou, southern Sichuan, Guangdong and other places. Yunnan is the main producing area of tsaoko, mainly distributed in 31 counties in prefectures and prefecture-level cities such as Honghe, Wenshan, Xishuangbanna, Dehong, Baoshan, Simao and Lincang, as well as in the primitive ecological old forests of Ma'andi Township in Jinping County, with the largest output from Jinping Miao, Yao and Dai Autonomous County (known as the "hometown of green fruit").