Planting Methods and Cultivation Techniques for Star Anise Trees
The fruit and seeds of the star anise tree can be used as a spice and also as medicine. It mainly grows in humid and warm subtropical valleys. Today I will introduce the planting methods for star anise trees.
1. Site selection
For planting star anise trees, choose a plot on the north slope of hilly mountainous land with undulating terrain and good wind shelter, with deep, relatively fertile and loose soil, and convenient drainage and irrigation.
2. Timely planting
The best time to plant star anise trees is around Great Cold. The usual planting spacing is 4 m × 5 m or 3 m × 4 m, and the planting density is preferably 750 plants per hectare. Dig holes 30 cm deep and 40 cm wide, and apply compound fertilizer. To improve the survival rate of the plantation, it is best to carry out planting on overcast and rainy days.
3. Scientific fertilization
The best time to fertilize star anise is February and June each year. Spring fertilizer can promote shoot growth, and summer fertilizer can promote vigorous growth of star anise. Fertilization is mainly nitrogen-based. For young plantations over three years old, compound fertilizer can also be applied. For one- to two-year-old trees, apply urea each year.
4. Weeding
Weeds easily consume nutrients and water in the soil, so the star anise plantation should be cultivated and weeded at least 1-2 times each year. Weeding can be done manually. For woodland with a large affected area, glyphosate can be used directly for chemical weeding.
5. Pest and disease control
Effective control of star anise anthracnose can reduce sources of the disease. If this disease is found, the affected branches and leaves can be completely removed and burned in a centralized manner. In the early stage of the disease, spray 0.5% Bordeaux mixture for control. To improve the star anise tree's own disease resistance, apply more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer or farmyard manure.
Star anise trees are distributed in Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Yunnan and other provinces and regions. Star anise is widely used in cooking. China's star anise exports account for more than 80% of the world market.