How to Grow Hovenia dulcis for High Yield? The Latest Cultivation Technology Tutorial
Hovenia dulcis, also known as longevity fruit, chicken-claw fruit and so on, is a very common wild fruit in the countryside. Although it is not often seen on the market, it still has a certain economic value and edible value. The fruit of Hovenia dulcis contains very rich sugar, and it can not only be eaten raw but also used to brew wine and boil sugar. It has functions such as sobering up and calming the nerves, and promoting urine excretion. Now the market for Hovenia dulcis is gradually picking up, so the editor has put together the high-yield cultivation technology for Hovenia dulcis. Let's take a look.
1. Site selection and land preparation
Hovenia dulcis has relatively strong adaptability and generally grows in sunny and moist environments. The most suitable place for the growth and development of Hovenia dulcis is still land with fertile soil, a good drainage and irrigation system, and a moderate pH value. Because there are too many wild varieties, it has never received people's attention. With problems such as felling and environmental pollution, resources have declined rapidly and commodities are lacking. Therefore, Hovenia dulcis should be planted on a large scale. After selecting a suitable planting area before planting, first dig planting holes about one meter deep and one meter wide, dig sloping land into fish-scale shapes to prevent excessive soil erosion, and some dead branches and fallen leaves can be placed in the holes as fertilizer for planting.
2. Raising seedlings and sowing
The main propagation method of Hovenia dulcis trees is seed propagation. Seeds are collected when the Hovenia dulcis matures in November each year. The seed coat is reddish-brown. Generally, one fruit contains 3 seeds. The seeds are leathery, and the middle embryo is yellow-white, making it relatively difficult to absorb water. Therefore, after harvesting, wet sand should be used to promote germination. Each layer of seeds is stored in a layer of wet sand. Generally, radicles will appear after two months. Then sowing can begin. Generally, seedlings emerge in early April. When the seedlings have grown about 5 true leaves, thinning begins. Keep the strong and remove the weak. During the seedling stage, they should be watered and fertilized frequently to promote seedling growth.
3. Management after planting
Because the seedlings of Hovenia dulcis trees grow very slowly, the management of young trees must be strengthened after planting. After planting, it generally takes 5-6 years before they begin to bear fruit. Every spring and summer, when weeds grow wildly, the soil must be loosened and weeds removed in time, and in dry weather they must also be watered in time. Fertilize once each in spring, summer, and winter every year to promote tree growth. The use of modern dwarfing and branch-pulling technology can effectively shorten the time for the tree body to bear fruit. In the second year after planting, when the small tree grows to about 1.5 m, bend its trunk to achieve the goal of early fruiting and more fruiting, and improve the economic benefits of planting.
4. Harvesting and processing
Before Hovenia dulcis is fully mature, the fruit stalk will contain a large amount of tannic acid. These tannic acids will affect our sense of taste, making us feel that its taste is sour, dry, and astringent, making it difficult to eat. After several frosts in winter each year, when the fruit stalk turns reddish-brown, it means it is mature, and harvesting begins. Cut off the fruit branches, store them in a cool place, and after about a week, they can be put on the market for sale. They can also be squeezed into juice for sale. The main thing is still to tidy up the appearance, tie them into small bundles, and sell them to various bars and hotels.
The above is a brief introduction to the high-yield cultivation technology of Hovenia dulcis. The most important point in the planting process is the prevention and control of pests and diseases. Because it takes so long to mature and bear fruit, if pests and diseases are also encountered, causing yield decline or even total crop failure, people will lose everything. Therefore, everyone must pay close attention to the condition of each tree and deal with abnormal situations in time. Everyone should still carefully consider the planting time and conditions and whether they are suitable for large-scale planting.