The Latest Planting Techniques and Methods Tutorial for Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange)

Zhi Shi is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine. It is the dried young fruit of the Rutaceae plant bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) and its cultivated varieties, or of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis). It has the effects of breaking qi and dispersing nodules, and resolving phlegm and relieving distension. It mainly treats distending pain, constipation and diarrhea. It is cultivated throughout the region south of the Qinling Mountains in China, and there are also many wild plants. Let us take a look at its planting techniques below.

1. Planting Conditions

Zhi Shi prefers a warm and humid climate and has extremely strong shade tolerance. It has high temperature requirements, requiring an annual average temperature above 15°C. Its seeds can only germinate at temperatures above 10°C, and the optimum growing temperature is 20-25°C. In addition, it also has relatively high water requirements, requiring annual rainfall of 1000-2000 mm. When planting, it is best to choose loam with sufficient sunlight, deep soil layers, fertile and loose soil texture, rich in humus, and good drainage.

2. Sowing

Zhi Shi can be propagated by seeds and grafting. When the seeds mature, pick the seeds, wash them clean, and store them well in moist sand, then sow them after the beginning of spring. Sowing is done in drills, with a ditch row spacing of 30-40 cm and a plant spacing of 5 cm. After sowing, cover with fertile soil, then cover with a layer of rice straw to keep warm and retain moisture. During the seedling emergence period, keep the soil moist. Remove the rice straw when the seedlings are about to emerge. When the seedlings grow to 8-10 cm, thin and fill in the seedlings promptly, and strengthen fertilizer and water management. When the seedlings grow to 1 m, they can be transplanted.

3. Orchard Management

Water thoroughly once before transplanting, then transplant the young trees with soil. Before transplanting, prepare the land and apply fertilizer, applying 3000-4000 kg of organic fertilizer or farmyard manure per mu, together with 100 kg of compound fertilizer. Spread it on the ground and mix it evenly with the soil. When transplanting, control the plant and row spacing at 3×4 m. Water once after transplanting to settle the roots. After transplanting, loosen the soil and weed frequently, combined with topdressing. Topdressing is mainly nitrogen fertilizer, applied 3-4 times a year. After the flowers fade, spray urea, superphosphate, plant ash and trichlorfon. This can both supplement the plant's nutrients and prevent and control pests and diseases. Pay attention to water management during the young fruit stage. In rainy seasons, pay attention to drainage; in dry seasons, water promptly, avoiding the phenomena of long drought followed by rain or long rain followed by sudden clearing, which affect fruit growth and development.

4. Shaping and Pruning

To cultivate the main framework and increase yield, shaping and pruning the plant is essential. After planting, remove the parts of the plant above 1 m, keeping only 3-4 branches as the main branches. In subsequent years, carry out the same operation on the main branches to cultivate branches and side branches, forming a large canopy. After the plant's shape is established, flower and fruit thinning should also be carried out to prevent too many flowers and fruits from consuming large amounts of the plant's nutrients and weakening the plant, so thin flowers and fruits appropriately. After harvest, promptly prune away weak branches, diseased and pest-infested branches, dead branches, clustered branches, drooping branches, leggy branches and aging branches to avoid consuming the plant's nutrients, so that after the beginning of spring the following year, the tree can quickly recover its vigor.

The above are the planting techniques for Zhi Shi. We hope they can help you. To learn more about medicinal herb cultivation, please follow us.