Detailed Explanation of Schisandra Cultivation Techniques and Seedling Planting Methods

I. Planting Time Schisandra can be planted in autumn or spring. Autumn planting is carried out before the soil freezes, and spring planting is carried out after the soil layer 50 cm below the surface has thawed.

II. Planting Techniques

1. Soaking seedlings in water. Seedlings that have been stored over winter or transported from elsewhere often have insufficient water content. To promote bud break and root development, soak the entire plant in clean water for 12-24 hours.

2. Planting. Before planting, the seedlings need to be headed back: cut the main stem back to leave 4-5 plump buds, and prune off underground creeping stems; remove diseased and rotted roots and shorten overly long roots.

A. Digging planting holes (trenches). On land that was deep-plowed and aged in the previous autumn, level each planting row strip, and dig planting holes at the marked spacing. The planting holes are round, 40 cm in diameter and 30 cm deep. If the spacing is close, a planting trench may also be dug. When using a trellis system, the planting points should be on the projection line of the trellis. To ensure accurate planting, use a steel tape measure, or use a marking line with clear marks (at the spacing length) for measurement. The subsequent hole digging and planting should also be measured with a steel tape or this measuring line.

B. Planting method. For the soil dug out of each planting hole, mix in 2.5 kg of high-quality decomposed organic fertilizer, then backfill half of it into the hole, mounding the center convexly like a steamed bun, and tread it firm so it is about 10 cm below ground level. Place the selected seedling in the center of the hole, spread the roots out in all directions, break up the remaining soil and bury it over the roots, and shake gently so the roots are in close contact with the soil. After filling level with soil and treading firm, make a round water basin 50 cm in diameter around the seedling with soil, or make an irrigation furrow 50 cm wide, and water thoroughly. After the water seeps down, rake flat the soil ridge used to make the water basin. From the start of lifting the seedlings to the end of covering with soil, pay attention to careful operation throughout the entire planting process. The seedlings should not be left in the field for too long, to prevent wind and sun from drying out the roots and affecting the survival rate. For autumn-planted seedlings, before winter, mound soil 20-30 cm thick over the small plants, covering the entire seedling in soil, and then uncover the soil mound after spring begins. For spring planting, after the water seeps down, soil should also be covered to prevent the soil in the tree basin from cracking and losing moisture.

II. Management in the Year of Planting

1. Significance of management in the year of planting. The central and northern regions of Northeast China have severe cold in winter, and the growing period suitable for the annual development cycle of Schisandra is very short, only about 150 days, and the frost-free period is only about 120 days. In addition, Schisandra seedlings have very underdeveloped root systems and relatively thin and weak branches. In the first year of planting, the growth amount is generally small. Only by strengthening management can the growth amount of Schisandra seedlings in the year of planting be increased and a higher survival rate be ensured.

2. Soil management. Although soil management in the year of planting Schisandra is relatively simple, it is very important. To ensure vigorous growth of the seedlings, the method of clean cultivation throughout the orchard is basically adopted. Carry out inter-row tillage and weeding more than 5 times throughout the year, keeping the soil in the Schisandra planting strip loose and free of weeds. Under normal circumstances, after sprouting in the year of planting, Schisandra has a relatively slow growth period. During this period, individual plants may show tip abortion, mainly because the root system has not yet grown enough absorbing roots, and the plant mainly relies on consuming its own accumulated nutrients, so new shoots grow slowly. When the leaves grow to a certain extent, they can produce enough nutrients and transport them to the plant and root system, thereby promoting root growth. During this period, urea or foliar fertilizer may be sprayed appropriately to promote leaf photosynthesis. By late May, the root system has produced a large number of absorbing roots, and the plant has also accumulated a certain amount of nutrients, so the upper new shoots begin to grow rapidly, and shoots that had aborted their tips sprout secondary shoots again. This is the key period for management, and fertilizer and water management need to be strengthened. Each plant may be top-dressed with 5-10 grams of urea or diammonium phosphate. To promote full maturity of Schisandra branches, phosphate fertilizer and potassium fertilizer may be top-dressed in early to mid-August, with 100 grams of superphosphate and 10-15 grams of potassium sulfate per plant, or foliar spraying of 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate.

Irrigate in drought, and pay special attention to drainage during the rainy season. Standing water must be drained promptly, otherwise it easily causes seedling death.

III. Plant Management

1. New shoot management. The growth amount of Schisandra in the year of planting is greatly related to seedling quality and management measures. On the premise of ensuring seedling quality, plant management must be strengthened. Generally, during the slow growth period after seedling sprouting, the new shoots do not need to be treated. After the new shoots begin rapid growth from late May to early June, when the new shoots reach about 50 cm in length, according to different cultivation models, 1-2 vigorous main vines may be selected and retained per plant, and promptly attached to the trellis. Bamboo poles or anti-aging special hanging ropes for Schisandra may be used as supports. For other new shoots, pinching may be adopted to inhibit their growth, prompt them to produce nutrients, and ensure rapid plant growth. When the plant grows beyond 2 m, it needs to be pinched promptly to promote branch maturity. If secondary shoots are produced, overly dense secondary shoots need to be thinned, generally keeping the spacing between secondary shoots at about 5-20 cm, and pinching when the secondary shoots are about 30 cm long, to promote full growth of secondary shoots and plump buds.

2. Pest and disease control. Schisandra seedlings generally rarely suffer insect pests or become infected with diseases, but inspection must be strengthened. Because 1-year-old seedlings are relatively small and weak, once pests or diseases occur, they will have a great impact on plant growth. In particular, observation of Schisandra black spot disease and powdery mildew should be strengthened, and early control should be achieved. For control methods, see the pest and disease control section.