How to grow Chinese lantern fruit? A detailed explanation of the latest planting methods
Chinese lantern fruit generally refers to the Chinese lantern plant, also known as Yang guniang, hairy groundcherry, etc. It is a new type of nutritious and health-promoting herbaceous fruit that combines both food and medicinal uses. Chinese lantern fruit is very rich in vitamins, and its vitamin B content is almost three times higher than that of tomatoes, all of which are needed by the human body. Many people think that Chinese lantern fruit is the same as the cape gooseberry, but in fact the two are completely different in both appearance and taste. So how should Chinese lantern fruit be grown? Let's take a look below!
1. Variety selection
When planting Chinese lantern fruit, self-cultivated seed saving is generally the main method. When choosing varieties to plant, try to choose extra-large yellow Chinese lantern fruit, or small yellow Chinese lantern fruit, focusing on plants with outstanding characteristics. Chinese lantern fruit is generally planted in the north and is a crop in which vegetative growth and reproductive growth proceed together, with a growth period of generally about four months. The average temperature needs to be above 25 degrees. In order to increase the economic value of planting, seedling cultivation in large and medium sheds is usually carried out, so as to achieve early seedling raising, early planting, and early marketing. The seedbed for raising seedlings should be chosen in a place with relatively high terrain and good drainage, and where no fruit or vegetable crops have been planted before.
2. Seed soaking and sprouting
Before planting, the seeds are generally soaked. Soak the seeds in warm water at about 50 degrees, and the amount of water should at least cover all the seeds. When soaking the seeds, do not pour all the water in at once. Instead, pour the water while stirring the seeds. When the water temperature drops to about 30 degrees, leave them indoors to soak. During soaking, replace the water with warm water at about 30 degrees about once every eight hours, and soak for a day and a night. Because the seeds of Chinese lantern fruit are relatively small and the amount used is small, after soaking the seeds they need to be sprouted. Generally, the fine sand mixing method is used for sprouting. First disinfect the fine sand, then wrap the seeds in a wet cloth and place them in an environment of about 20 degrees for sprouting. Turn them twice a day and rinse them with warm water to help release heat and waste gases. They will sprout in three to four days.
3. Sowing method
The sowing method is mainly seedling raising under plastic film mulch followed by transplanting, and March to April each year is the most suitable sowing period. Then there is the direct sowing cultivation method under plastic film mulch, with sowing carried out in May each year. Generally, transplanting one mu requires sowing about 50 grams. When sowing, choose a windless sunny day and start in the afternoon. First water the bed surface thoroughly. The bottom water seepage layer should not be less than 6 cm and not deeper than 8 cm. After all the water has completely infiltrated, spread a thin layer of nutrient soil on the bed surface, and then you can sow the successfully sprouted seeds in holes. The number of seeds per planting hole is generally about ten. After sowing, cover with soil, then add a clean layer of plastic film to raise the temperature. Once the seedlings emerge through the soil, it can be removed.
4. Seedling stage management
Before emergence, the seeds should be kept sealed and warm, and the temperature raised to promote rapid development and emergence of the seedlings. After the seedlings emerge, the daytime temperature should be controlled at about 25 degrees, and the nighttime temperature should also be kept at about 15 degrees, which is more suitable. After sowing and before emergence, it is not advisable to water. After emergence, choose clear and windless weather to cover once with dry fine soil, to fill cracks and help the seedlings recover. During the planting process, always maintain good light conditions, then carry out one round of seedling strengthening, so that the leaf color of the seedlings becomes darker and glossy and good protective tissues are formed, reducing pests and diseases.
The above is a brief introduction to the planting methods of Chinese lantern fruit. Chinese lantern fruit is a low-cost, high-return fruit. The cost of planting one mu will not exceed 500 yuan. But its market price is relatively high, so this is a relatively promising planting project. Everyone can determine whether large-scale planting is possible based on the weather changes at the planting site, growth characteristics, and environmental adaptability. This article is for reference only, and I hope it is helpful to everyone.