What are the latest key points for growing star anise
The main use of star anise is for seasoning, and it often appears in all kinds of dishes, where it can help increase appetite. For those of us in the food lover family, star anise is certainly very familiar, and now its range of uses is wider than before, so more and more star anise is being grown. So what issues need attention in the process of growing star anise? Let's take a look together with Qinnong.com below.
1. Sowing time
Star anise has certain requirements for the growing environment. We cannot just plant it casually because it is only a seasoning. Star anise is especially not tolerant of frost, so the sowing time of star anise is related to the planting area. In frost-free areas, it is usually chosen between December of each year and January of the following year. In areas with frost, it should be chosen around February to March, when the frosty weather has passed and the temperature is slowly rising again, so it can be planted.
2. Sowing method
For the sowing method of star anise, we usually use drilling, but later transplanting is needed. When drilling, note that relatively even shallow furrows should first be made in the prepared land, generally furrows about 4 cm wide and 2 cm deep, then sow at a spacing of about 4 to 5 cm between each plant and 20 cm between each row, then cover the seeds with a layer of fine soil, and finally cover them with a layer of dry grass and water once. To be safe, a layer of plastic film can be added on top.
3. Reasonable close planting
Planting density generally only gets special attention during transplanting, because if the density is unreasonable, it can easily cause some diseases and reduce yield. We generally transplant in August each year. If it is for fruit use, it is best to transplant at a spacing of 4 to 5 m between each row and 3 to 4 m between each plant. But if other uses also need to be considered, then the density can be adjusted appropriately, but the distance between plants must not be less than about 1.5 m.
4. Scientific fertilization
In order to improve the survival rate of the plants, fertilization during transplanting is very important. We need to first dig a hole, then pile in an appropriate amount of compound fertilizer and mix in a layer of yellow mud, which can improve the survival rate of star anise. Next, fertilization of star anise should be carried out according to age and purpose, because the nutrients needed at different growth stages and for different purposes will also differ to some extent. Young star anise trees need fertilization several times a year, but the amount each time is not large, and the total fertilizer amount for a year does not exceed 2,000 jin. Next, adult fruit trees only need fertilization twice a year, with a total annual fertilization amount of around 5,000 jin. Finally, if it is star anise for fruit use, fertilization is needed during the fruiting period, but star anise for other uses can focus on urea.
5. Forest management
The main issues in forest management are pruning of branches and leaves as well as clearing the forest. At the same time, pruning of branches and leaves also needs to be divided into two stages. For young star anise trees, we prune branches and leaves mainly to promote the growth of side branches so as to increase yield, while for adult star anise trees, we mainly prune some old, weak, diseased, and damaged branches and leaves to achieve the effect of not reducing yield. Finally, in order to prevent infection by pests and diseases, we must promptly clean up branches, weeds, fallen leaves, and so on in the forest and carry out disinfection treatment. Only in this way can we ensure the normal development and growth of star anise trees.