When is the best time to graft a hawthorn tree, and how many years until it flowers and bears fruit?
Seeing hawthorn, we cannot help but think of Zhang Yimou's famous film "Under the Hawthorn Tree"; those bright red little hawthorn fruits are dazzling and eye-catching. To obtain high yields of tasty hawthorn, grafting is required, so when is the best time to graft a hawthorn tree? And how many years until it flowers and bears fruit? According to hawthorn grower Mr. Tang, hawthorn trees are usually grafted from late July to late August.
How many years until a hawthorn tree flowers and bears fruit?
A hawthorn tree generally flowers and bears fruit in 2~4 years; afterward, as the tree age increases, the yield increases year by year, and around 10 years old it enters the full fruiting period, and at 60~70 years it still does not decline.
Hawthorn tree grafting method:
Hawthorn propagation is mainly done by the bud grafting method. Take a bud from a hawthorn scion, make a cut at the bud with a 0.5cm knife, cutting down to the xylem at the top of the cut surface; then score a triangle on both sides of the bud, and pry the bud off; on the rootstock, choose a smooth side and make a horizontal cut 3-6cm above the ground, about one cm wide, then make a vertical cut 1cm down from the middle of the horizontal cut, forming a "D" shape, then use the tip of a budding knife to pry up the bark on both sides, then insert the bud so that the bud piece makes close contact with the horizontal cut on the rootstock and tie it tightly with a rubber strip.
How much does a hawthorn sapling cost?
A hawthorn sapling costs about 10 yuan at retail; wholesale is much cheaper, at 3 or 4 yuan.
What are the effects and functions of hawthorn?
1. Aids digestion
Hawthorn contains a variety of organic acids. After oral intake, it enhances gastric juice acidity, increases pepsin activity, and promotes protein digestion; hawthorn tastes sour, stimulating the gastric mucosa and promoting gastric juice secretion; hawthorn contains lipase, which can promote fat digestion; hawthorn contains vitamin C and other components, and oral intake can improve appetite; hawthorn has a regulatory effect on gastrointestinal motility, inhibiting gastrointestinal smooth muscle in a spasmodic state and exciting smooth muscle in a relaxed state.
2. Lowers blood lipids, resists atherosclerosis
Hawthorn's blood lipid-lowering effect is achieved by inhibiting the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver and promoting the liver's uptake of plasma cholesterol. Hawthorn flavonoids can also reduce the risk of atherosclerosis (AS), playing a role in preventing the occurrence and development of AS.
3. Antibacterial
Hawthorn has a relatively strong antibacterial effect against Shigella, Proteus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and others.