A Detailed Guide to High-Yield Cultivation Methods for Hawthorn (Shanlizhong)

Products made from hawthorn can be seen everywhere in our lives, such as hawthorn slices, candied hawthorn skewers and hawthorn juice. Hawthorn has a relatively low sugar content and a rather sour taste. It can not only be eaten raw, but also dried in the sun for use as medicine, and it has high medicinal value. Below we will introduce the high-yield cultivation methods for hawthorn (Shanlizhong)!

I. Site Selection and Cultivation

Before planting hawthorn, choosing a planting plot is very important. Hawthorn has a strong ability to adapt to soil, but soil that is fertile and loose and deep in texture can effectively promote the growth of hawthorn. The orchard site can be chosen on plains or hills; it is only necessary to set up the drainage and irrigation system in the orchard properly. Hawthorn can be planted in all four seasons of the year, but try not to choose winter for planting. The temperature in winter is too low, which is not conducive to seed germination and seedling emergence, and its growth rate will also slow down, which will have a certain impact on the later fruiting rate and quality.

II. Land Preparation and Sowing

After choosing the plot, begin land preparation. Plow the soil 15-20cm deep, spray chemicals to disinfect it, then expose it to the sun for a month to eliminate bacteria and parasites in the soil. Then mix base fertilizer with the soil, put it into the pit, place the hawthorn seedling in the very center, and begin filling with soil. While filling with soil, gently press it firm with your feet so that the seedling roots can extend better and contact a larger area of soil, enhancing the absorption capacity of the roots. After planting, water thoroughly to settle the roots. The soil must be pressed firm and piled into a mound to prevent the seedling from being blown over in windy weather.

III. Intertillage and Hilling

During the planting process, according to soil fertility and tree growth conditions, carry out intertillage and hilling on the soil in a timely manner to improve soil aeration, increase nutrients, and promote root growth and development. Then begin fertilizing. Fertilization cannot be done with only a single type of fertilizer; a reasonable combination of nutrient components should be prepared to balance nutrition. Too little fertilizer will cause the hawthorn tree to lack nutrients, reduce its growth rate, and affect fruit ripening and quality. Excessive fertilization will lead to excess nutrients, causing excessive vegetative growth of branches and early fruit drop, which will also have a certain impact on yield and quality.

IV. Shaping and Pruning

Hawthorn has a strong branching ability. Failure to manage branches in a timely manner will have a serious impact on the growth and development of the main trunk. Without sufficient nutrient supply, the main trunk will become very weak. Therefore, during the planting process, it is essential to prevent the increase of branches and the excessive vegetative growth of twigs. Cut off the branches with strong excessive vegetative growth and diseased branches, and retain some fruiting branches and branches without excessive vegetative growth, so that the hawthorn tree becomes stronger and grows better. When the canopy branches of the hawthorn tree grow to about 40cm, cut off 30cm. Too many branches will reduce both the growth of the main trunk and the aeration within the tree body.

The above is Tuliu.com's introduction to hawthorn cultivation methods. Apart from needing sufficient water after planting, a hawthorn tree only needs to be watered 3-4 times a year, once in each season every year. Management is extensive and simple, but the period for obtaining returns is relatively long, so sufficient patience is required.