How to Grow Schisandra Properly? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Cultivation Techniques

Schisandra is a relatively scarce medicinal herb at present. Recently, many growers have gotten wind of this and plan to join the ranks of Schisandra cultivation, but everyone knows relatively little about Schisandra cultivation techniques and does not know how to grow it. Qinnong Network has specially condensed the Schisandra cultivation methods into a general outline here, so everyone can take a look together

1. Seed Propagation

Schisandra seeds are extremely well sealed, which causes Schisandra seeds to germinate very slowly. Generally, they must be buried in the soil for 2-3 months before they germinate. Choose sandy loam for the burial site, with high moisture retention. To ensure breathability, it is best to cover the seeds with rice straw, then cover with 20-30 cm of sandy soil. After a month and a half, observe once every 7 days, and begin raising seedlings when the seeds crack open. The soil for raising seedlings must be carefully prepared. Divide the land into strips, with a spacing of about 20 cm and a plant spacing of about 30 cm. When they reach 100-150 cm, the seedlings can be transplanted.

2. Transplanting Seedlings

Transplanting has low soil requirements; it is enough to keep the Schisandra seedlings growing well. To facilitate management and drainage, the planting site needs to be dug into ridges, with a spacing of more than 30 cm and a depth of about 20 cm. The best transplanting time is early spring or mid-autumn. When transplanting, make sure the seedling roots are not damaged, otherwise the survival rate is easily affected. A certain amount of fertilizer must be applied at the bottom of the pit, then soil should be used to separate the soil from the roots. When filling with soil, do not press hard; a slight leveling press is enough.

3. Fertilizer and Water Management

Fertilizer and water are always unavoidable issues for Schisandra. In the early stage, sufficient fertilizer and water must be ensured. Water immediately after the seedlings are transplanted, and later water once every 7-15 days depending on the situation. In the first half year, make sure the dry soil layer is not too deep. Generally, a dry soil layer exceeding 3 cm means this area is extremely short of water. To help fertilizer and water be absorbed better, weeds should be removed promptly in the meantime, and the soil also needs to be loosened periodically. After one year, the amount of fertilizer and water can be adjusted according to the situation. Schisandra has relatively shallow roots and will need more water. The fertilizer types are similar to those for other fruit trees, mainly nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers.

4. Field Management

In the early stage of transplanting Schisandra, shade is needed to prevent the seedlings from being damaged by drought. After the shade frame is removed, prepare to build a climbing frame, which will give Schisandra a better growing environment. After building the frame, the Schisandra seedlings also need to be guided and fixed onto the frame. Later, for the yield of Schisandra, its branches also need to be pruned. For some Schisandra trees with too many branches, the weaker branches need to be removed. Only in this way can the later fruit yield of Schisandra be ensured.

The above are the methods for growing Schisandra. For this kind of tree with high water requirements, it is best to plant it in a place with a larger water area, so that there will be no water shortage later. Daily management of the Schisandra planting site must be done well, especially regarding temperature. Schisandra is not tolerant of high temperatures.