How to Grow Vaccinium bracteatum? A Detailed Guide to the Key Growing Techniques
Vaccinium bracteatum, originally named Nanzhu and also known by the aliases Wutongzi and Ranshu, is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the family Ericaceae and the genus Vaccinium. Its fruit can be eaten directly and tastes similar to blueberries. It is widely distributed in China, and when used as medicine it has effects such as supporting yang and nourishing yin, improving eyesight and strengthening the kidneys. So how do you grow it? Let's take a look together.
1. Site Selection
Vaccinium bracteatum likes an environment with sufficient light and is tolerant of drought, cold and poor soil, with a very broad adaptability to the environment, so it can be grown in most parts of China. It is an acid-loving plant that likes moisture and fears waterlogging, so when choosing a growing site, it is best to choose acidic soil rich in organic matter that is loose and well-drained.
2. Planting
Vaccinium bracteatum is mainly propagated by sowing and cuttings, among which sowing can produce a large number of seedlings and is suitable for large-scale seedling raising. In autumn, pick and store the ripe fruit, then take out the seeds and sow them after the beginning of spring the following year. When sowing, a shallow pot or wooden box can be used as a seedbed, with a layer of coarse sand with good drainage spread on the bottom, the seeds evenly broadcast on top, and a layer of fine soil covering them; keep the soil moist, and transplant once 2-3 true leaves have grown. Cutting propagation generally involves selecting vigorous current-year branches from the mother plant as cuttings in spring and inserting them during the plum rain season, which gives a high survival rate.
3. Fertilizer and Water Management
After planting, field fertilizer and water management should be done well to speed up plant growth so that it flowers and fruits earlier. When fertilizing, follow the principle of timely and appropriate application. In spring, foliar fertilizer is the main type, and after flowering, a mixed fertilizer based mainly on nitrogen fertilizer is applied. During the fruiting period, spray Zhuangguodiling to thicken the fruit stalk, so that it can transport more nutrients and increase yield and single-fruit weight. When growing in alkaline soil, you can mix wood ash into the fertilizer or add vinegar to the water, both of which can adjust the soil pH and turn it into the acidic environment that Vaccinium bracteatum likes.
4. Pests and Diseases
The common pest of Vaccinium bracteatum is the red spider mite, which usually breaks out during high summer temperatures, harming the plant's leaves, tender shoots, flowers and fruit. In severe cases it causes the plant to die. It can be controlled by alternating agents such as kelmite emulsifiable concentrate, abamectin emulsifiable concentrate, mandipropamid, and dicofol emulsifiable concentrate. The common disease is brown spot, which mostly occurs during the plum rain period and can be controlled by alternating Bordeaux mixture and other protective fungicides. Whether for pests or diseases, do not use the same agent frequently, so as to avoid resistance.
The above are the growing techniques for Vaccinium bracteatum. We hope they can help you. To learn more about growing knowledge, please keep following us.