How to Grow Schisandra chinensis for High Yield? A Detailed Guide to Cultivation Techniques

I. Propagation Techniques

Currently, artificial cultivation mainly uses seed propagation. Because the seed coat is hard and smooth with an oily layer, has poor water permeability, and does not sprout easily without treatment, after the fruit is harvested, large fruits should be selected and soaked in water for 3 to 4 days and nights, then the flesh should be removed, and they should be rinsed clean, with shriveled seeds and debris removed, the surface moisture dried, and then stratified or mixed with moist, clean river sand for storage and germination promotion, but care should be taken that the river sand is not too wet. After spring begins, check frequently to prevent mildew. Generally, store until April, when the seeds crack open and reveal the radicle, and then they can be taken out and sown. Drill sowing is used, with a row spacing of 15 cm and a sowing furrow depth of about 3 cm. The sowing rate is about 75 kg per hectare. After sowing, cover with soil 2 cm to 2.5 cm, cover with grass and water to prevent drought. After sowing, seedlings will emerge successively in 20 to 30 days. When 1/3 of the seedlings have emerged, the covering grass should be removed in batches, and a simple shade shed should be set up at the same time, with appropriate management such as topdressing, watering, and loosening the soil.

II. Field Planting

For field planting, 2-year-old large seedlings are mostly used, requiring a seedling height of more than 1 m and a basal stem of more than 0.7 m. Planting can be done in autumn, winter, or early spring. The planting density is often determined by the different types of trellis. Generally, hedge-shaped planting without a trellis should be dense, with a plant and row spacing of 0.4 m x 0.7 m; artificial trellis planting should be appropriately dense, with a plant and row spacing of 0.5 m x 1 m; natural trellis planting should be appropriately sparse, with a plant and row spacing of 3 m x 3 m.

III. Tending and Management

Schisandra chinensis is a fertilizer-loving plant. In addition to applying sufficient base fertilizer before field planting, each spring before its vigorous growth, an organic fertilizer and an appropriate amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer should also be applied as a topdressing to promote its normal growth and flowering and fruiting; before winter begins, another fertilization and earthing up should be carried out. The adventitious buds on the basal stem of Schisandra chinensis have strong sprouting ability. To reduce nutrient consumption, pruning should be carried out appropriately during the winter dormancy period, so as to facilitate ventilation and light penetration, increase yield, and improve fruit yield and quality.

Schisandra chinensis sometimes develops leaf blight between June and July. Before or at the early stage of the disease, spray 1:1:100 Bordeaux mixture once a week for 3 consecutive sprays. If leaf-rolling insects are seen causing damage, use 50% phoxim emulsifiable concentrate at 500 times dilution, or 50% phosphamidon emulsifiable concentrate at 1500 times dilution for spray control.

IV. Harvesting, Processing, and Utilization

Schisandra chinensis begins fruiting early, generally starting to bear fruit 1 to 2 years after planting, and entering the full fruiting period in 4 to 5 years. Around October, when the fruit turns purplish red, pick it on a sunny day so that it can be dried in time and the quality can be ensured. If rainy days occur after picking, it should be spread out in time to dry or dried with slight warming over a low fire to prevent mildew and deterioration. After drying, sieve to remove impurities, place in a moisture-proof container and cover tightly, and store in a dry place for later use. The commercial quality of Schisandra chinensis used as medicine is best when the fruit skin is purplish red, the grains are large, the flesh is thick, it is oily, and it has a good luster.