Yangmei Seeds: Latest Prices and a Detailed Guide to Planting

Yangmei, also known as sheng sheng mei, bai di mei, shu mei and so on, is a small tree or shrub of the genus Morella in the family Myricaceae (Chinese bayberry). It is distributed in East China as well as Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou and other regions of China, and has high medicinal and edible value. It can be eaten directly and can also be processed into dried yangmei, jam, candied fruit, wine and so on. Now let us take a look at the price of yangmei seeds and the planting methods!

How much is a jin of yangmei seeds?

The price of yangmei seeds is about 15 to 30 yuan per jin, but it varies with the quality, variety, place of origin and market of the seeds. Yangmei prefers acidic soil, with a distribution similar to that of citrus, loquat, tea trees, moso bamboo and so on, but its cold resistance is stronger than that of citrus and loquat. At present, the cultivated varieties of yangmei in China include Mudong, Heitanmei, Dongkui Yangmei and so on, among which Dongkui Yangmei is the best, with large yield, plump fruit and a high survival rate after planting. In production, sowing and grafting are mostly used for propagation.

Sowing methods for yangmei

1. Nursery site selection: The yangmei nursery site should be chosen in a location with convenient transport and flat terrain. If it is a slope, the slope should generally not exceed 5°, and the slope aspect should preferably face north or northeast. The soil should preferably be fertile, loose in texture and deep sandy loam.

2. Seed collection: Yangmei seeds should be collected from ripe fruit on robust adult trees. The fruit is spread out and piled up in a place not exposed to direct sunlight. After piling for 4 to 5 days, once the flesh has rotted, rinse it and remove the shriveled seeds that float up, then dry the surface and set aside for use.

3. Land preparation and fertilization: Before sowing yangmei, the land should be deeply plowed, and after plowing it should be left to bleach in the sun. Apply 3000 to 5000 kg of pig or cattle pen manure or compost, 15 to 20 kg of superphosphate and some plant ash per mu. For paddy fields, dig deep drainage ditches around the perimeter; for mountain land, pay attention to drought prevention and flood control.

4. Sowing method: Before sowing yangmei, soak the seeds in 0.1% potassium permanganate solution or 800-fold 40% thiophanate-methyl solution for 10 minutes, then spread the seeds evenly on the seedbed surface. After sowing, gently press the seeds into the soil with a wooden board, cover with a layer of fine soil and then a thin layer of grass.

5. Seedling stage management: Yangmei is generally sown in mid to late October. The seeds germinate in January of the following year and emerge in mid-February. After emergence, attention should be paid to controlling temperature and humidity, and also to preventing sunscald or damping-off disease. Transplanting can usually be done in late July.

Planting methods for yangmei

1. Transplanting time: When yangmei seedlings have emerged and reached about 10 cm in height with 4 to 5 leaves, they can be transplanted. Before transplanting, the nursery should be prepared and fertilized, and 25 kg of lime or 600-fold thiophanate solution should also be broadcast on the seedbed surface per mu.

2. Transplanting method: Transplant young seedlings at a row spacing of 30 to 35 cm and a plant spacing of 8 to 10 cm. When transplanting young seedlings, choose an overcast day or the morning or evening of a sunny day, and water thoroughly to settle the roots. Transplant 12,000 to 14,000 plants per mu.

3. Reasonable fertilization: Yangmei seedlings must wait until the root system has resumed good growth and 4 to 5 new leaves have grown before they can be watered with diluted human manure and urine (1 bucket of water plus 2 spoonfuls of human manure and urine and 0.25 kg of urea). After that, apply 2% ternary compound fertilizer solution or dilute human manure and urine every half month.

4. Tree management: After yangmei is planted, promptly remove branches on the stem below 1/2 of the total trunk length. In the second year, select 3 main branches evenly distributed in 3 directions. After the third year, select and retain secondary main branches on the main branches so that the canopy forms a natural open-center shape, with height controlled at 2.5 to 3 m.

5. Soil management: When planting yangmei, weed and loosen the soil in a timely manner, apply more lime, adjust the soil pH, and supplement calcium for the tree. At the same time, interplant green manure crops such as beans and peanuts between the rows (avoid tall-stemmed and climbing plants) to increase soil biological cover.

6. Controlling shoots to promote flowering: When the yangmei canopy reaches 2.0 to 2.5 m in height, use shoot control methods to promote the formation of flower buds and achieve early fruiting and high yield. You can use branch bending, opening up the canopy, and moderating tree vigor, or from early October to late December apply paclobutrazol to the soil to control shoots and promote flowering.

7. Flower and fruit thinning: For yangmei trees, combine spring pruning to thin out excess flowering branches, especially thin and weak flowering branches. For trees in a heavy flowering on-year, spray yangmei flower-thinning agent during the flowering period. About 20 days after petal fall, carry out reasonable fruit thinning according to the amount of fruit set on the tree.

Pest and disease control for yangmei

1. Yangmei rust

[Damage] Affected trees bloom early, the number of flowers decreases, and yellow spots appear on newly sprouted buds. When flowers are damaged, they often revert to leaf form and are mostly thick, fleshy leaves. The fleshy leaves soon rot and fall off, and most form bare branch tips.

[Control] Renew old trees, apply topdressing to strengthen the trees, spray 4 degrees Baume lime sulfur mixture or Bordeaux mixture during the yangmei bud break period, and during the fruiting period use 600-fold 80% zineb or 700 to 800-fold 70% thiophanate-methyl.

2. Brown spot disease

[Damage] It damages yangmei leaves, eventually causing a large amount of leaf fall, death of flower buds and small branches, and has a great impact on tree growth.

[Control] Clean the orchard in winter, strengthen orchard management, spray 800-fold 70% thiophanate-methyl or 1000-fold 50% carbendazim once 7 to 10 days before fruit harvest, and after harvest apply 1:2:200 Bordeaux mixture once for control.

3. Pine caterpillar

[Damage] When larvae first hatch, they gather on new shoots and feed on young leaves, leaving only the bark. After about 1 week they begin to disperse and cause damage, their food intake increases greatly, and in severe cases they eat all the leaves, leaving only the veins.

[Control] When larvae are found in mid to late April, use 1000-fold 90% trichlorfon crystal, or 4000-fold 20% fenvalerate, or 800-fold 50% dichlorvos for control.

4. Bagworm

[Damage] It damages yangmei leaves, and also damages many other fruit trees such as oil tea and coffee.

[Control] During the young larval stage, spray 800 to 1000-fold 90% trichlorfon or 1000 to 1500-fold dichlorvos, 1000-fold 50% fenitrothion and 1000-fold malathion.

5. Inchworm

[Damage] It damages yangmei leaves. After the leaves are damaged, notches form.

[Control] During the larval damage period, spray Bacillus thuringiensis preparation and Beauveria bassiana preparation at 200 million to 400 million spores per mL, or 1000 to 1500-fold 25% chlorbenzuron suspension for control.

6. Leaf roller

[Damage] It damages yangmei leaves.

[Control] During the occurrence period from May to June, use Bacillus thuringiensis and insecticides for control. During the damage period of the second-generation larvae from July to August, use 1000-fold 90% trichlorfon or 1500-fold 50% fenitrothion emulsion for control.