Detailed Explanation of Key Techniques for Managing Wild Schisandra as a Cultivated Crop

In the Northeast and Northwest regions there are still many wild natural clusters of Schisandra. Bringing these wild Schisandra plants under domestic management can significantly increase yields and deliver economic returns relatively quickly. The key technical points for the artificial management of wild Schisandra are described below.

1. Clearing the forest and stumping. Clearing the forest means thoroughly removing the plants that compete with Schisandra for water, nutrients and light, including trees and weeds that hinder the growth and development of Schisandra, so as to ensure ventilation and light penetration. Clear once every spring. Stumping means promptly cutting flat the new shoots and young branches that grow after clearing, especially the large number of tillering tender buds around the Schisandra plants. Stump once each in May and August every year. After stumping, the stubble height should be below 7 cm. Clearing the forest and stumping directly affect the density and crown width of Schisandra, the amount of light, the selection and retention of support trees, the strength of growth vigor, the level of ground temperature, and the regeneration and quality of Schisandra; they are the key to high yields. Data show that after clearing the forest the average fruit-setting rate is 78.4%, while without clearing the forest the average fruit-setting rate is 37.7%, an increase of 40.7 percentage points. Clearing the forest and stumping favor photosynthesis, and can make the Schisandra seeds plump and the medicinal quality good.

2. Establishing and planting. Practice has proven that it is appropriate to retain 700-800 plants per mu of sloped land (horizontal). While clearing the forest and stumping, select support trees according to a spacing of 160-270 cm. It is appropriate for 1 support tree to be climbed by 2-3 plants, and natural trees should be chosen as support trees as far as possible. In areas where there are gaps in the natural clusters, carry out artificial planting: for the larger densely planted Schisandra, dig up the root clumps; when digging up the root clumps, pay attention to the root system, and plant seedlings with intact root systems and thick, strong vines into the gap areas. Planting should be carried out in spring and autumn, in spring before sprouting and in autumn when the leaves fall, with 2 plants per hole. This ensures a full stand of seedlings.

3. Afforestation and trellising. The tree species used as natural support trees have a relatively large influence on the growth and development of Schisandra; generally shrubs are better than trees, and rough bark is better than smooth bark. For example, red tree, stinking plum tree, chestnut tree, etc., have a large crown spread and good ventilation and light penetration, which makes the proportion of female flowers of Schisandra large, and they generally bloom two days earlier. If broadleaf trees such as poplar and linden are used as natural support trees, the spread is small, ventilation and light penetration are poor, the proportion of female flowers is small, and the flowering period is delayed by 1-2 days.

4. Pruning and control. Pruning and control can reduce unnecessary consumption, allow the plant's nutrients to be distributed reasonably, and thereby increase yields. Cut off overly dense branches, thin and weak branches, pest- and disease-damaged branches, and short fruit branches. The height of the pruned support tree should preferably be 1.6 m-2 m. By heading back and pinching out the growing tips, the natural support tree is given a strong "skeleton", a neat tree shape, and a full crown, so as to satisfy the elongation of Schisandra.

5. Ventilation and light penetration. Ventilation and light penetration are an important factor in the normal development of Schisandra. Water has a great effect on the growth and development of Schisandra; generally on sloped land, barren hills, mixed forest, and half-shady half-sunny slopes, the proportion of female flowers of Schisandra after clearing the forest is large, but excessive water and waterlogging are not conducive to the growth of Schisandra.

6. Fertilization and management. Generally, 1000 kg-1500 kg of farmyard manure can be applied per mu, with more nitrogen fertilizer, phosphate fertilizer and a small amount of potassium fertilizer; where conditions permit, zinc fertilizer can also be added, to promote the absorption and utilization of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer by Schisandra and enhance its disease resistance. However, in the late fruit-bearing stage, too much nitrogen fertilizer should not be added, otherwise it will cause fruit drop. In terms of management, the main tasks are mowing and clearing the slope in spring and autumn.

7. Weeding and pest control. After wild Schisandra is artificially converted into stands, weeding and removal of miscellaneous vines must be carried out twice a year, and at the same time leaf blight, root rot, soybean stem borer and scarab beetle must be controlled.