How to Grow Four-Season Berry? Detailed Guide to Cultivation Methods and Precautions

SummaryThe four-season berry is suitable for planting in loose, fertile, well-drained slightly acidic soil. The suitable temperature for growth is 10-25°C. During the growing period, the pot soil needs to be kept moist. During the flowering stage, the amount of watering should be controlled, and during the fruiting stage, the amount of watering should be gradually increased. Phosphorus fertilizer, potassium fertilizer, and decomposed fertilizer can be applied according to different growth stages. In the later stage, the plant can be shaped, and dead branches, light-blocking branches, and diseased and pest-damaged branches can be pruned away, and pest and disease prevention and control measures should be well carried out.

I. Cultivation Methods for the Four-Season Berry

1. Choosing Soil

The four-season berry is not tolerant of severe cold and prefers a warm, humid environment with sufficient light. It can be planted in loose, fertile, well-drained slightly acidic soil.

2. Suitable Temperature

The suitable temperature for the four-season berry during the growing period is 10-25°C. In winter, the temperature should not be lower than 2°C. It can be moved indoors before Frost's Descent for cultivation to avoid frost damage and fruit drop.

3. Reasonable Watering

During cultivation, the pot soil should be kept moist. During the flowering stage of the four-season berry, the amount of watering needs to be properly controlled. If the pot soil is too moist, flower drop is likely to occur. Wait until small fruits cover the branches, then gradually increase the amount of watering. In midsummer, sufficient moisture needs to be maintained. Then, 3-4 days before overwintering, water thoroughly and move the plant to a sunny south-facing window for cultivation.

4. Regular Fertilization

During the growth of the four-season berry, decomposed dilute fertilizer water can be applied once every 7-10 days. From the bud stage to the young fruit stage, quick-acting phosphorus fertilizer can be applied 2-3 times to promote fruit growth and development. After flowering, more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer should be applied to make the fruiting period longer. When growing the four-season berry in a pot, pinching should be done in time to help promote more flowering and more fruiting.

5. Shaping (natural open-center form)

The trunk height of the plant is 20-40cm, and the main branches (3-4 branches) are evenly distributed on the trunk. The branching angle of the main trunk is 30°-50°. Each main branch retains 2-3 secondary main branches. Usually after the 3rd main branch is formed, the central-leader-like trunk is cut off and twisted to one side as a fruiting branch group.

6. Pruning

(1) Young trees: Light pruning can be carried out. After selecting the central-leader-like main branches, secondary main branches, and extension branches, moderate or heavy heading back can be carried out, and according to the degree of heading back and the direction of the pruning bud, the balance point of growth among the main branches can be adjusted. In addition to properly pruning overly dense branch groups, inner canopy branches and weaker shoots in the middle and lower parts of the crown need to be retained.

(2) Early fruiting stage: The extension branches of each level of scaffold branches can be headed back, then summer shoots can be removed to promote robust autumn shoot growth. In autumn, for vigorously growing trees, flower-promoting measures such as root cutting, girdling, and water control need to be taken.

(3) Full fruiting stage: Fruit-bearing branch groups after flower and fruit drop and declining branch groups can be retracted, and dead branches, diseased and pest-damaged branches, and light-blocking branches can be pruned away.

II. Pay Attention to Pest and Disease Prevention and Control

1. When aphids occur, used cigarette butts can be soaked in water and then evenly sprayed on the affected areas. Pesticides such as trichlorfon can also be used to control aphids.

2. When red spider mites occur, a small amount of liquid made from soapy water and garlic juice can be sprayed onto the mites, which has a relatively high inhibitory effect.