Where is the origin of the August melon? An introduction to the latest distribution of its main producing areas
The scientific name of the August melon is Akebia trifoliata, also known as cow kidney fruit, dog kidney, August cracker, September cracker, etc. It is an evergreen woody vine of the genus Akebia in the family Lardizabalaceae. It gets its name because its fruit ripens and splits open in August. It resembles a banana and is rich in sugar, vitamin C and 12 kinds of amino acids. It is a pollution-free green food and is known as the “earth banana”. Now let us take a look together at where the origin of the August melon is!
Where is the origin of the August melon?
The origin of the August melon is distributed in Shanxi, Hunan, Henan, Shaanxi, Anhui, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, Hubei, Guangdong, Guangxi, Sichuan, Chongqing, Yunnan, Guizhou, Tibet and other places. Among them, it is most abundant in Tongren, Guizhou and the Tianzi Mountain scenic area in Zhangjiajie, Hunan. In the lunar August, the August melon ripens and splits open. Wild resources are abundant in mountain foothills, valleys and forest-edge shrublands such as Suoxiyu and Yangjiajie, making it a superior wild fruit.
The origin environment of the August melon
The August melon likes shady and humid conditions and is relatively cold-tolerant. It often grows in grass under mountain forests at low altitude. It grows well in slightly acidic yellow soil rich in humus and can also adapt to neutral soil. Its stems and vines often grow creeping on the ground. Other communities and main associated plants include Liriodendron chinense, Cornus controversa, Toxicodendron vernicifluum, Cinnamomum bodinieri, Stachyurus, Viburnum macrocephalum, Holboellia, Decaisnea insignis, Staphylea holocarpa, etc.
Propagation methods of the August melon
1. Seed propagation: When the fruit of the August melon matures from September to October, pick the fruit, eat the flesh, and keep the seeds for timely autumn sowing. First rub and wash the seeds with alkaline water, rinse them clean with clear water, drain the water, and dry them in the sun. Around the lunar November, store them in sand for 50 to 70 days, and in early February of the following spring sow them promptly in a prepared seedbed. Seed propagation is simple and easy, but the seedlings produced bear fruit late, generally only after 3 years. It is generally not used in production.
2. Layering propagation: The vines and stems of the August melon have strong sprouting ability. Select 1- to 2-year-old branches and vines and bury them in soil. They can take root after 1 month, and propagation can be done in all four seasons. Generally, they can bloom and bear fruit in the 2nd year after planting.
3. Root division propagation: Root division propagation of the August melon is carried out before sprouting in early spring. A clump with multiple plants of August melon is divided by hand from the roots into multiple plants. Without cutting off the branches and vines, planting in the current year can bear fruit in the current year.
4. Cutting propagation: August melon can be propagated by cuttings in all four seasons. Select robust 1- to 2-year-old branches and vines free of pests and diseases, cut them into 10 cm long cuttings, and insert them into a prepared seedbed. Pay attention to waterlogging, shading and drought prevention. If conditions permit, cuttings can be soaked in ABT No. 2 rooting powder, increasing the survival rate to 100%.