Latest Key Points of Field Management Techniques for Monk Fruit

Monk fruit is called the “immortal fruit” by people and is one of the commonly used traditional Chinese medicinal materials in China, with effects such as relieving cough and cooling the blood. Besides being widely used for medicinal purposes in China, it is also one of China's main exported traditional Chinese medicinal materials. Moreover, people now pay more and more attention to the role of traditional Chinese medicine, the development of the traditional Chinese medicine industry will become faster and faster, and the demand for monk fruit will also grow larger and larger. After planting, there must also be a series of management methods. What the editor brings today are the field management methods for monk fruit after planting.

1. Building trellises and supporting vines

Monk fruit is a vine plant, so during its growth it needs a trellis to climb on so that it can grow smoothly. After successful planting, trellis building can begin. The trellis is generally supported by bamboo or wood, and the height of the trellis is generally between 1.5-2 m. An appropriate amount of bamboo or tree branches should be laid on top of the trellis, and then a small bamboo pole should be inserted beside the plant. This provides a support point for the plant to climb. When the seedling has grown to about 20 cm, remove the side branches on the vine stem and leave only the main vine. The purpose is to allow the main vine to grow quickly. When it grows to 30 cm, tie the main vine to the bamboo pole and manually help it onto the trellis. If it falls down, promptly lift it back up. This is to facilitate the growth of the vine.

2. Weeding and topdressing

Weeding and topdressing for monk fruit are very important. Fertilize at least three times a year. The first time is around April, when the seedlings have grown to 30 cm, apply a topdressing of thin farmyard manure. The second time is in May after the main vine has successfully climbed onto the trellis, apply fully decomposed stable manure and peanut bran. The third time is around September. During the flowering and fruiting period of monk fruit, apply a mixed fertilizer every 1-2 weeks, mainly potassium fertilizer, to promote fruit growth and swelling. On hillsides, dig trenches about 30 cm from the tuber and apply fertilizer. Never apply fertilizer directly on the tuber.

3. Artificial pollination

The success rate of natural pollination in monk fruit itself is relatively low, so artificial pollination is needed. Artificial pollination is also a relatively important measure in the growth of monk fruit, and it can effectively increase the fruit-setting rate of the plant and increase yield. In summer when monk fruit blooms, pick the opened male flowers every morning, then gently scrape off the pollen with a cotton swab or bamboo stick, and then place the pollen on the stigma of the female flower. Be careful not to use too much force, so as not to damage the stigma of the female flower. One male flower can pollinate about 10-20 female flowers. Pollination work cannot be delayed until noon; the pollination effect at noon and in the afternoon will become worse. Also, the pollen must be used up on the same day.

4. Overwintering management

After the Start of Winter, preparations for overwintering monk fruit should be made immediately. First, cut the stem base of the main vine with a knife at a position about 10 cm, gently press the vine down, and apply fully decomposed cattle pen manure to the root crown. Stir the manure and soil thoroughly, then apply this around the root crown at a position about 40 cm away as insulation fertilizer. The vines and tubers should be buried in the soil. If encountering windy and snowy weather, cover with plastic film with air holes left in it to keep warm and prevent freezing, and clear the orchard drainage ditches to prevent water accumulation and root rot.

The above is the field management that needs to be done well during the process of planting monk fruit. Special attention should be paid to the fact that when doing overwintering management, the main vine must not be directly broken off or twisted off at the connection with the tuber, because then there will be no effect at all. Also, in winter, remove the dead vines on top of the trellis, handle them centrally, disinfect the orchard, eliminate potential overwintering pests, and reduce the sources of insects and disease for the coming year.