How long after planting does an star anise tree bear fruit?
Star anise belongs to the Illiciaceae family and is an evergreen tree, mainly distributed in China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, etc. In China it is mainly distributed in Guangxi, Guangdong, Yunnan, Fujian, Sichuan and other places, and is an economic forest tree species unique to southern China with high planting value. Let us take a look below at how long it takes for an star anise tree to bear fruit!
How long it takes for an star anise tree to bear fruit
The time for an star anise tree to bear fruit after planting is at shortest 3-4 years and at longest 5-8 years. Plantations of 8-18 years and fast-growing forests of 6-15 years constitute the young and middle-aged initial fruiting stage of star anise. Starting from the 19th year, and for fast-growing forests from the 16th year until the plant ages, is the full fruiting stage of star anise. Under normal circumstances, the full fruiting stage of the soft-branch type of star anise can last as long as 60-70 years, while that of the hard-branch type is 40-50 years. If the habitat conditions in all respects are superior, the full fruiting stage can be extended.
The planting environment for star anise trees
The star anise tree is a shade-loving tree species, suitable for planting on loose, acidic sandy soil with short sunshine duration, lush vegetation, deep soil layers, good drainage and rich humus. For forest establishment, plots should be chosen on the north slope of hilly and mountainous land with undulating terrain and good wind shelter, and with deep, relatively fertile and loose soil layers and convenient irrigation and drainage.
Star anise trees bloom but do not bear fruit
1. Woodland environment: Keep the star anise forest well ventilated and lit and clean, and remove weeds and shrubs in the forest to avoid competing with star anise for fertilizer and light.
2. Hoeing and reclamation of woodland: Hoe and reclaim the woodland to increase soil aeration and promote the sprouting of new roots. For woodland with a slope of less than 25 degrees, full reclamation can be used; for woodland with a slope greater than 25 degrees, strip reclamation is preferable.
3. Reasonable dense planting: It is advisable to keep 30-45 plants per mu and 1-2 m between the crowns of mature plants. Reasonable thinning should be carried out on the principle of removing the inferior and keeping the superior, removing the weak and keeping the strong, and removing the dense and keeping the sparse.
4. Reasonable pruning: For trees that are too dense and bear little fruit, prune somewhat heavily; for sparse ones, prune little or not at all. Prune the inner cavity branches in the lower part of the crown somewhat heavily, and prune the branches in the middle and upper part of the crown and on the outer edge lightly. Prune heavily those with abnormal growth and many pest-damaged and dead branches, and prune lightly those that are soundly developed. For star anise with relatively vigorous tree vigor, ring-barking should also be carried out.
5. Reasonable fertilization: The amount of fertilizer applied should be mainly compound fertilizer, about 4 kg per plant, increased or decreased according to the actual tree vigor, applied 2 times a year. The first time should preferably be from late October to early March of the following year, and the second time from June to August.
6. Flower and fruit preservation: Spray anti-drop agent and foliar fertilizer during the flowering and fruit-setting periods. When 70-80% of the flowers have fallen, use one packet of anti-drop agent and one packet of potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and spray after mixing with 60 kg of water.
7. Pest and disease control: Pay attention to inspection in daily management and control pests and diseases in a timely manner. Spray to kill with 500 times diluted dichlorvos or dimethoate solution in March-April and June-July each year.