The Benefits and Effects of Cornus officinalis and Its Bonsai Care and Management Methods

Today we recommend a plant that serves as both medicine and food, "Cornus officinalis" (Japanese cornel). As a superior medicinal herb recorded in traditional Chinese medicine, it has therapeutic effects such as lowering blood sugar, reducing inflammation and killing bacteria, nourishing the kidneys and replenishing essence, and boosting immunity. It is mainly produced in Henan, Shaanxi, Zhejiang, Anhui, Sichuan, Jiangsu, and other places in China.

Cornus officinalis, also known as medicinal jujube, flesh jujube, and so on, is a deciduous shrub of the genus Cornus in the family Cornaceae. Its flowering period is generally in March each year, and when the flowers open they form umbels, usually with one group of flowers on each side of the branch, and each umbel contains about 20 small flowers, resembling a small flower ball. After the flowering period, the leaves become bare, leaving behind a golden sea of flowers like small fluffy balls that is intoxicating.

After the fruit subsequently ripens, its appearance is mostly red or purplish-red oval fruit, which looks somewhat like goji berries from a distance. It is said that although the fruit of Cornus officinalis is not abundant, after drying its taste is sour, so it is also called "cornel flesh."

Cornus officinalis can be planted in one's own courtyard. The plant can reach a maximum height of about 4 to 10 m, with grayish-brown bark, and the plant height is usually 4-10 m. At some stalls in flower markets, small bonsai of it are also sold. In terms of care, Cornus officinalis prefers a warm, humid, semi-shaded environment, is not very tolerant of sun exposure, and is also not very tolerant of cold. If the surrounding environment is below five degrees for a long time, its growth will be hindered and it will be prone to frost damage.

It is not strict about soil requirements and prefers fertile, loose, well-drained sandy soil. If planting in the ground, it is best to choose a plot with neutral or slightly acidic pH.

In terms of watering, Cornus officinalis has higher water requirements during growth and fruiting, and the condition should be slightly moist, while at other times it is enough to follow letting the potting soil dry slightly. Watering should not be too frequent, and the placement should avoid facing a draft directly, so as to prevent phenomena such as dry leaf tips and scorched leaves.

Fertilization is something every plant needs to take seriously. When Cornus officinalis is a young tree, it is recommended to use nitrogen fertilizer or manure water that meets sanitary standards. If there is a lot of base fertilizer in the soil when it later needs to be transplanted, then no topdressing is needed that year, and after one year you can apply topdressing once each in spring and autumn.