A Detailed Guide to the Cultivation Techniques and Management Methods of Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange)

Zhi Shi is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine. It is the dried immature fruit of the bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) and its cultivated varieties, or of the sweet orange, belonging to the Rutaceae family. It has the effects of breaking qi and dispersing accumulations, and resolving phlegm and dispersing masses, and is mainly used to treat distending pain, constipation, and diarrhea. It is cultivated throughout the regions south of the Qinling Mountains in China, and there are also many wild plants. Let's take a look at its cultivation techniques below.

1. Growing Conditions

Zhi Shi prefers a warm and humid climate and has extremely strong shade tolerance. It has relatively high temperature requirements, requiring an annual average temperature above 15 degrees. Its seeds can only germinate at temperatures above 10 degrees, and the optimal growing temperature is 20-25 degrees. In addition, it also has relatively high water requirements, requiring annual rainfall of 1000-2000 mm. When planting, it is best to choose a loamy soil with ample sunlight, deep soil layers, fertile and loose texture, rich in humus, and good drainage.

2. Sowing

Zhi Shi can be propagated by seeds and grafting. When the seeds mature, pick the seeds, wash them clean, and store them well in moist sand, then sow them after the beginning of spring. Sowing is done in drills, with a row spacing of 30-40 cm and a plant spacing of 5 cm. After sowing, cover with fertilized soil, then cover with a layer of rice straw to keep warm and moist. During the emergence period, keep the soil moist. Remove the rice straw when the seedlings are about to emerge. When the seedlings grow to 8-10 cm, thin and fill in the seedlings promptly, and strengthen fertilizer and water management. When the seedlings grow to 1 m, they can be transplanted.

3. Orchard Management

Water thoroughly once before transplanting, then transplant the young trees with soil attached. Before transplanting, prepare the land and apply fertilizer, applying 3000-4000 kg of organic fertilizer or farmyard manure per mu, together with 100 kg of compound fertilizer, spreading it on the ground and mixing it evenly with the soil. When transplanting, control the plant and row spacing at 3×4 m. After transplanting, water once to settle the roots. After transplanting, loosen the soil and weed frequently, combined with topdressing. Topdressing is mainly nitrogen fertilizer, applied 3-4 times a year. After the flowers fade, spray urea, superphosphate, plant ash, and trichlorfon, which can both supplement the plant's nutrients and prevent and control pests and diseases. During the young fruit stage, pay attention to water management. In rainy seasons, pay attention to drainage; in dry seasons, water promptly, avoiding the phenomena of prolonged drought followed by rain or prolonged rain followed by sudden clearing, which affect fruit growth and development.

4. Shaping and Pruning

To develop the framework and increase yield, shaping and pruning of the plant are essential. After planting, remove all parts of the plant above 1 m, leaving only 3-4 branches as the main branches. Each year thereafter, carry out the same operation on the main branches to cultivate branches and side branches, forming a large canopy. After the plant's shape is set, thinning of flowers and fruits is also necessary, so as to avoid too many flowers and fruits consuming a large amount of the plant's nutrients and weakening the plant. Therefore, thin flowers and fruits appropriately. After harvesting, promptly prune off weak branches, pest- and disease-damaged branches, dead branches, clustered branches, drooping branches, water sprouts, and aging branches, to avoid nutrient consumption by the plant and enable it to quickly restore its vigor after the beginning of spring the following year.

The above are the cultivation techniques for Zhi Shi. We hope they can help you. To learn more about medicinal herb cultivation, please stay tuned to us.