Detailed Explanation of Schisandra chinensis Courtyard Cultivation Techniques
In recent years, our county has explored four cultivation models for the artificial cultivation of Schisandra chinensis, namely cultivation under wild shrub forests, cultivation under artificial forests, open-field bare-land cultivation under full sunlight, and courtyard cultivation. Looking at it now, the best results have come from bare-land cultivation and courtyard cultivation, especially courtyard cultivation, which is small in scale, low in investment, and easy to manage, and has achieved very good economic benefits. We surveyed several farming households: a courtyard of less than half a mu can harvest more than 200 jin of dried Schisandra chinensis fruit each year. At the current market price of 60 yuan per market jin, the income can reach more than 12,000 yuan. Looking at it now, one mu of cultivated Schisandra chinensis can fully match the benefit of one shang of rice, and it can maintain stable production for 20 years. In order to better guide everyone in carrying out courtyard cultivation of Schisandra chinensis, we surveyed large growers in neighboring cities and counties such as Tieli and Yichun. Below I will introduce to you the good experience and good methods of courtyard cultivation of Schisandra chinensis.
I. Plot selection. To plant Schisandra chinensis, choose slightly acidic soil with good light, good permeability, no water accumulation, fertile soil, and a deep black soil layer.
II. Soil improvement and fertilization. First break open the ridge tops, fill and level the water-accumulating pits and small soil mounds, then divide the plot into strips running north-south in a 90 cm, 100 cm, 90 cm, 100 cm alternating pattern. The 100 cm strips are the planting belts, and the 90 cm strips are the empty planting belts. Take out the soil from the 100 cm wide planting belts and place it on both sides, dig the planting belts into small trenches 1 m wide and 40 cm deep, first spread a thin layer of chopped grass or rice husks at the bottom of the trench, small charcoal is also acceptable, then spread a 10 cm thick layer of decomposed farmyard manure, pig manure and cow manure are best, do not use chicken manure, then backfill the removed soil to form strip-shaped planting belts. Although fertilizing the planting belts is rather troublesome, this is the key to obtaining high yield and consecutive years of abundant yield in Schisandra chinensis cultivation. The root system of Schisandra chinensis has a strong tendency to seek fertilizer. Spreading organic fertilizer at the 40 cm bottom layer can promote the downward growth of the Schisandra chinensis root system, form a large root system, and enhance its absorption capacity. Only in this way can it provide sufficient nutrition to the mother plant during the flowering period, fruit-setting period, and fruit expansion period of Schisandra chinensis. At the same time, it can also improve the mother plant's drought resistance and disease resistance.
III. Seedling transplanting. Select 2-year-old seedling plants, plant two rows of Schisandra chinensis in parallel within the planting belt, with a plant spacing of 50 cm, each row 15 cm from the side edge of the planting belt. After mounding soil and tamping it down, cut off the base of the seedling at one cun above the ground, coat the cut surface with lead oil, and water thoroughly. In order to support the broad farming households in doing a good job in Schisandra chinensis production, the county Party Committee Organization Department organized professional technicians to cultivate 500,000 high-quality Schisandra chinensis seedlings, charging farming households within the county only the cost price, and providing technical services throughout the whole process.
IV. Setting up posts and stringing wires. In the middle of the planting belt, set up one cement post every 10 m. The cement posts are 2.6 m long, buried 60 cm underground, and 2 m above ground. Above 40 cm from the ground on the cement posts, evenly fix three crossbars, and stretch three lines of trellis wire in parallel at both ends of the crossbars.
V. Field management. For the early stage field management of Schisandra chinensis, it is mainly enough to do the following four tasks well: (1) After the main trunk of Schisandra chinensis is cut off, new lateral branches will emerge from the base. Keep only 2-3 thick and strong lateral branches as main branches, and cut off all the rest. (2) When the new branches grow to 30 cm, set up a thin bamboo pole 1 cm thick and 2 m long for each seedling, fix the bamboo pole to the trellis wire, then guide the vines clockwise to promote their twining growth. (3) Water regularly. Do not use flood irrigation when watering. If conditions permit, installing drip irrigation equipment is best. It is advisable to keep the soil relatively moist and not dry. (4) Schisandra chinensis generally does not suffer from diseases. After all plants turn green again, spray once every 10 days with carbendazim or thiophanate-methyl, spraying twice in succession, and good prevention is enough.
Carrying out courtyard cultivation of Schisandra chinensis can not only obtain very good economic benefits, but also beautify the living environment. All townships, villages, and hamlets should earnestly organize and provide good services, and contribute to making our county's new countryside more beautiful, more prosperous, and more harmonious.