Growing and caring for Chinese lemongrass, planting secrets
Schizandra chinensis is one of the most popular exotic crops on the plots of plant cultivation enthusiasts. It is planted for decorative and medicinal purposes. Its beautiful fruits are especially appreciated, they have a lot of useful substances, they contain a high concentration of organic acids, which contribute to the normalization of the digestive tract. Growing and caring for Chinese lemongrass is quite understandable and accessible to everyone, the main thing is to know the intricacies of these processes.
Description and characteristics of the plant
In order for lemongrass to take root quickly and delight in its red bunches, it is necessary to consider its main characteristics in more detail. First of all, you need to understand that this is a climbing deciduous liana, the length of which is 15 m. The diameter of the trunk of the plant is 2.5 cm.On new shoots of lemongrass, the bark has a brown-brown color with a smooth surface, and on old ones it is scaly.
Lemongrass leaf plates are distinguished by a dense, obovate structure. The base is wedge-shaped, along the edges there are teeth, weakly expressed in small numbers. The length of the petioles that connect the leaves to the shoots is 3 cm.
In summer, the color of the plates of Schisandra chinensis is light green, and in autumn it turns orange-yellow.
Lemongrass flowers lighten the fragrant aroma, they are distinguished by their white color and form in 3-5 pieces in the leaf axils. Their pedicels are of the drooping type. Ball-shaped fruits attract attention with their red color. The external structure of the tassel is the same as that of red currants and grapes.
Important! The lemongrass fruiting phase is different in each region, but in most cases it occurs in late summer and lasts until early September.
How to plant well in the ground
Properly done planting work is the key to a successful lemongrass crop.
Time recommendations
When growing exotic lianas in regions with a warm climate, planting should be carried out in October. If it is planned to grow Schisandra chinensis in middle latitudes, then it is optimal to carry out the work in the spring (late April-early May).
The main thing is that the weather outside should be constantly warm, from +10 ° C.
Ground requirements
Rapid adaptation and active growth of Schisandra chinensis is observed when planted on fertile soil with sufficient air and moisture permeability. Soil acidity should be low.If the earth is heavy, then it is diluted with sand at the rate of 10-12 kg per foundation pit 50 cm deep, 60 cm in diameter.
It is better to choose a glade for planting Schisandra chinensis in an area with good light during the day (6-8 hours).In bright light conditions, the process of laying fruiting shoots is more effective. But in the first 2-3 weeks it is recommended to darken the seedlings, so it will be easier for them to take root. The optimal solution for growing lemongrass is to use trellises up to two meters high. Already after 3-4 years, vines planted nearby completely master the space if they are placed 1 m apart.
Important! Schisandra chinensis differs in the type of rhizome stem, the roots are found only at a depth of 5-15 cm. Since their location is superficial, the level of groundwater is not particularly important when choosing a place for planting.
How to prepare planting material
For planting on a personal plot, it is good to use two-three-year-old lemongrass seedlings. The height of their shoots should be 10-15 cm, and the underground part should be healthy and well developed. If the planting material is too high, it should be shortened to three buds, and the roots of lemongrass - up to 20-25 cm.
Landing scheme
To properly plant lemongrass, you need to adhere to a certain technology:
- A draining cushion made of expanded clay balls, broken brick or crushed stone is laid at the bottom of the pit, the thickness of the layer should be 10 cm.
- The pit is filled with nutrient compositions, which include such components as a mixture of equal parts of leaf compost, humus and sod land, superphosphate (200 g), wood ash (500 g). All components must be mixed well. It is necessary to form a mound from the fertile soil.
- Place a young Chinese magnolia vine in the center of the pit, the roots of which have been previously immersed in a clay mash (1 liter of mullein for 10 liters of water).
- Spread the roots of the plant and sprinkle with soil, leaving the collar open, at ground level.
- Gently compact the soil and moisten it.
- Mulch the ground round the trunk under the lemongrass with humus, peat.
Schisandra has established itself as a hardy plant, but for better survival it needs competent care, in particular, protection from direct sunlight at first after planting in a permanent place.
Maintenance Features
They tend to the Chinese magnolia vine according to the standard scheme: they irrigate, loosen the soil, fight weeds and apply fertilizer.
watering mode
At the stage of active vegetation of lemongrass, irrigation measures are carried out often and abundantly, spending 6-7 buckets of water per plant. In hot weather, it is recommended to spray an exotic liana, this is especially true for a young plant.
To preserve soil moisture, organic mulch is added to the trunk circle.
Loosening and weeding
After each moistening, the soil under the Chinese magnolia vine should be loosened, weeded. These simple techniques will eliminate the lack of oxygen from the roots.
top dresser
Feeding procedures are carried out in the third year after planting the seedling.In spring and summer, a working solution of chicken (1:20) or mullein (1:10) is added to the soil once every 2-3 weeks. It is also effective to mulch the soil with organic matter. When the foliage falls, wood ash (100 g) and superphosphate (20 g) should be added under each plant. They are closed to a depth of 10 cm, then the soil is abundantly moistened.
At the flowering stage, lemongrass is fed with nitrophoska, where 1 sq. apply 50 g of the drug. And at the end of this stage, 10 liters of mullein solution are used. In the fall, superphosphate (60 g) and potassium sulfate (30-40 g) are added under each plant.
Support
Since the crop is a vine, it is best grown on a trellis. Due to this, its branches receive maximum light and heat, therefore, the likelihood of the formation of large fruits increases. Without support, Chinese lemongrass may not bear fruit. The trellis should be 60 cm deep and rise above the ground by 2-2.5 m.
Size
This manipulation is one of the main factors in the successful cultivation of Schisandra chinensis.
Formative
Completion terms: spring and fall. Thickened and damaged shoots are prone to removal. This is to open the inside of the bush. In addition, thanks to pruning, air circulation will improve and the risk of developing diseases will decrease.
Sanitary
Pruning takes place at the end of autumn, before the onset of cold weather.
But it is possible to produce it in the first half of March. Use only a sharp, decontaminated instrument. Remove incompetent shoots.
Wintering
Lemongrass should be watered abundantly, and the soil should be mulched with organic matter. The plant is not afraid of low temperatures, but in order to avoid frost, the vine is removed from the trellises, tied and bent to the ground, and dry leaves are laid on it. Bushes open with the onset of spring.
Diseases and pests
Although lemongrass is Chinese and is well resistant to various types of diseases, in case of violation of agricultural technology, it is often affected by fungal infections.
ramularosis
The disease can be detected in distinct brown foci of angular or round shape. In the center of such a place, a pinkish bloom is visible. It is possible to save the culture by means of a fungicide preparation.
Powdery mildew
A sign of infection is the appearance of a loose bloom of whitish color on the shoots and leaves. Over time, it turns brown. At the beginning of the infection, lemongrass is treated with soda ash. In an advanced case, preparations containing copper are used.
Fusarium wilt
When this disease is affected, a dark ring (constriction) forms at the bottom of the stem. After a while, the tissues in this area become soft and the vine dies. The plant cannot be saved.
Ascochitosis
Obvious symptoms of the disease are brown foci 2 cm in diameter, the outlines of which are blurred. The vines are worked using a solution based on Bordeaux mixture (1%).
Breeding methods
There are several lemongrass breeding methods, each with its own characteristics and technologies.
Seeds
In the fall, the seed is driven into the ground to a depth of 3 cm. If the work is carried out in the spring, then it is necessary to take preparatory measures.
Seedlings in mid-December should be washed and placed in a container with wet sand until mid-January.
After that, the seeds in containers are placed in the cold (snow, refrigerator) for a month. When the seeds begin to crack, they are placed in containers with a soil substrate consisting of equal parts of soil, sand and peat, deepening by 0.5 cm. If necessary, they are moistened, preventing the soil from dry out. A transplant to a permanent place is carried out if there are three to five leaves.
brushwood
This method is one of the simplest. Young shoots with roots are separated from the perennial and planted in a suitable place. In warm regions, the intervention is carried out in the spring, before the buds awaken, and in cold regions, in the fall.
Root cuttings
To propagate lemongrass, the root must be divided into several parts. The length of each should be 7-10 cm, and the number of growth points should be at least three. Before planting in a permanent place, the parts should be wrapped in a fabric treated with a growth stimulant, holding it for two to three days.
The optimal spacing between the cuttings is 10-12 cm. They should not be buried in the ground, it is enough to cover them with a layer of organic matter (2-3 cm).
varietal variety
To determine the variety of Schisandra chinensis, you need to familiarize yourself with the most popular ones.
Sadovy-1
The plant is self-fertile, cold-resistant, with average productivity (4-6 kg per plant). The fruits are juicy and tart.
Mountain
Lemongrass of medium maturity, promising, the fruits are harvested at the end of summer. Liana is distinguished by frost resistance and good immunity.Yield indicators are 1.5-2 kg per bush.
Volgar
The variety has a sufficient degree of drought and frost resistance. Schisandra is practically not susceptible to diseases or pests. The harvest takes place at the beginning of September.
first born
Lemongrass is not afraid of frost and is immune to ailments. On medium-sized bushes, purple-scarlet fruits are formed. The liana reaches 5 m in length.
Myth
The length of the brushes of this hybrid does not exceed 7 cm. The tart fruits can be eaten fresh. A seed has up to 18 pieces.
Benefit and Harm
Among the useful qualities of Schisandra chinensis, its ability to:
- improve mental and physical performance;
- restore strength;
- normalize low blood pressure;
- helps against bronchitis, tuberculosis, asthma;
- to improve the work of the stomach, liver, kidneys.
But if there are the following indications, it is not recommended to use lemongrass fruits:
- vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- allergic reactions;
- epileptic seizures;
- pregnancy;
- high blood pressure;
- sleep problems;
- high blood pressure;
- ARVI.
Harvest
You can remove the fruits of Schisandra chinensis already in the fourth year after planting in the ground. The berries are picked when they begin to crumble when touched.Lemongrass fruits are stored only 2-3 days, then they are subjected to processing.
Tips & Tricks
To achieve the desired result when growing lemongrass in the country, you should follow the following tips from experienced gardeners:
- buy quality seedlings;
- the place to choose is sunny;
- start treatment at the first sign of illness;
- do not delay the harvest;
- don't let the soil dry out.
Schisandra chinensis is an exotic crop with its own strengths and weaknesses.Proper planting and care will provide the plant with a comfortable growing environment.