Key Points of Bayberry Planting Technology and Cultivation Management Methods

Bayberry (Chinese bayberry, Morella rubra): belongs to the class Magnoliopsida, family Myricaceae, genus Morella, a small tree or shrub plant, also known as sheng sheng mei, bai di mei, and shu mei; it has high medicinal and edible value, and is distributed in East China as well as Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou and other regions of China.

For bayberry planting, the temperature requirement is 15~21 degrees C. Bayberry is a subtropical fruit tree species that likes moisture and tolerates shade and cold. It prefers a warm, humid, cloudy and misty climate. It is not tolerant of strong light or cold. It is suitable for growing in low hills, sunny slopes or valleys. It is best planted in acidic yellow soil with deep soil layers, loose and fertile texture, and good drainage.

How should bayberry be planted? Bayberry planting techniques and management!

1. Nursery site selection: The bayberry nursery site should be chosen in a location with convenient transportation and flat terrain. If it is sloping land, the slope should generally not exceed 5 degrees, and the slope aspect should preferably face north or northeast. The soil should preferably be fertile sandy loam with loose texture and deep soil layers.

2. Seed collection: Bayberry seeds should be collected from ripe fruits on robust adult trees. The fruits are spread out and piled up in a place not exposed to direct sunlight. After 4~5 days of piling, once the flesh has rotted, rinse and remove the shriveled seeds that float up, then dry the surface and set aside for use.

3. Land preparation and fertilization: Before sowing bayberry, the land should be deeply plowed, and after plowing it should be sun-bleached. Apply 3000~5000 kg of pig or cattle pen manure or compost, 15~20 kg of superphosphate, and some plant ash per mu. For paddy fields, deeply dig drainage ditches around the perimeter; for mountainous land, pay attention to drought prevention and flood prevention.

4. Sowing method: Before sowing bayberry, soak the seeds in 0.1% potassium permanganate solution or 800-fold 40% thiophanate-methyl solution for 10 minutes, evenly scatter the seeds on the seedbed surface, then gently press the seeds into the soil with a wooden board, cover with a layer of fine soil and then a thin layer of grass.

5. Seedling stage management: Bayberry is generally sown in mid-to-late October. The seeds germinate in January of the following year and emerge from the soil in mid-February. After emergence, attention should be paid to controlling temperature and humidity, and also to preventing sunscald or damping-off disease. Usually by late July they can be transplanted.

II. Bayberry planting technique management:

1. Transplanting time: When bayberry seedlings have emerged and reached about 10 cm in height with 4~5 leaves, they can be transplanted. Before transplanting, the nursery should be prepared and fertilized, and at the same time 25 kg of lime should be broadcast on the seedbed surface per mu or 600-fold thiophanate-methyl solution sprayed.

2. Transplanting method: Transplant seedlings at a row spacing of 30~35 cm and plant spacing of 8~10 cm. When transplanting seedlings, choose cloudy days or the early morning or evening of sunny days, and water thoroughly to settle the roots. Transplant 12,000~14,000 plants per mu.

3. Reasonable fertilization: Bayberry seedlings must wait until the root system has resumed good growth and 4~5 new leaves have grown before applying diluted human manure and urine (1 load of water plus 2 spoonfuls of human manure and urine, 0.25 kg of urea). After that, apply 2% compound fertilizer solution of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium or diluted human manure and urine once every half month.

4. Tree body management: After bayberry planting, promptly remove branches on the stem below 1/2 of the total trunk length. In the second year, select 3 main branches evenly distributed in 3 directions. After the third year, select and retain secondary main branches on the main branches so that the canopy forms a natural open-center shape, with height controlled at 2.5~3 m.

5. Soil management: When planting bayberry, weed and loosen the soil in a timely manner, increase lime application, adjust soil pH, and supplement calcium for the tree. At the same time, interplant green manure crops such as beans and peanuts in the orchard (avoid planting tall or climbing plants) to increase soil biological cover.

6. Controlling shoots to promote flowering: When the bayberry canopy reaches 2.0~2.5 m, use shoot control methods to promote flower bud formation and achieve early fruiting and high yield. Methods such as bending branches, opening up the canopy, and moderating tree vigor can be used, or from early October to late December, soil-applied paclobutrazol can be used to control shoots and promote flowering.

7. Flower and fruit thinning: For bayberry trees, combine spring pruning to thin out excess flower branches, especially weak and slender flower branches. For trees with many flowers in an on-year, spray bayberry flower-thinning agent at the flowering stage, and about 20 days after flower drop, reasonably thin fruits according to the tree's fruit load.