Key Points of Winter Pruning Techniques for Schisandra chinensis and Magnolia biondii

I. Schisandra chinensis

Based on the growth and flowering/fruiting habits of short fruiting branches, medium fruiting branches, long fruiting branches and basal shoots, the following pruning methods and principles are determined: since short fruiting branches have poor fruiting capacity, few should be retained; in particular, short fruiting branches that do not flower or bear only male flowers should all be pruned off. Medium and long fruiting branches are the main fruiting branches and grow vigorously; they should be thinned at a spacing of 10-20 cm to facilitate ventilation and light penetration and increase fruit yield. For basal shoots, select and retain 3-4 thick, strong branches per plant as renewal branches, and cut off all the rest.

II. Magnolia biondii

Winter pruning is mainly thinning: remove water sprouts, diseased and pest-infested branches, dead branches and overly dense branches by cutting them from the base; generally, no heading back is carried out.