Black tiger fruit, also known as "cold rice ball," is a plant of the Magnolia family, genus Schisandra. It generally ripens around October and has become a popular health fruit in recent years. Below, we'll introduce the planting time and methods for black tiger fruit. Let's take a look together.
Planting Time and Methods for Black Tiger Fruit
I. Planting Time
Black tiger fruit can be planted with seedlings. Select well-grown seedlings and plant them in prepared soil. Autumn is the best time for planting, as the climate is suitable for black tiger fruit growth, resulting in higher survival rates. For propagation by cuttings, the best time is around the beginning of spring, as the increased rainfall aids in seedling growth, improving their survival rate.
II. Planting Methods
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Soil Selection: Use sandy soil, humus, and organic fertilizer in a ratio of 3:4:2. Loose, fertile, well-drained soil is preferred, and adding some pine and bamboo soil can enhance drainage. Soil should be replaced regularly and turned over.
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Branch Selection: Choose vigorous branches, trim them to a length of 15-20cm, and disinfect them with fungicide. After treatment, air dry the branches, then insert them into prepared soil, water moderately, and place them in a cool, ventilated area for cultivation. Growth and development occur in about 20 days.
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Propagation by Cuttings: The soil for black tiger fruit cuttings should be slightly acidic; alkaline or neutral soil is not conducive to their survival. The stems of the plants should be about 10cm from the soil. Cuttings should be evenly spaced. After planting, water sparingly. After survival, use diluted compound fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium once every 7-10 days.
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Water and Fertilizer Management: Black tiger fruit grows rapidly and requires ample water and fertilizer during the planting period. Timely watering and fertilizing are essential for successful cultivation. In the initial stage, nitrogen fertilizer is preferred, followed by phosphorus and potassium fertilizer later on. Fertilization should be accompanied by watering. Follow the principle of applying small amounts of fertilizer multiple times, avoiding over-fertilization or using only one type of fertilizer, which can lead to excessive vegetative growth without fruiting.
Above are the planting time and methods for black tiger fruit. Black tiger fruit can bear fruit in the 2nd-3rd year of planting, with a certain yield in the 3rd year, and entering a period of peak fruiting in the 4th year. Black tiger fruit is highly storable and can be left on the tree until around the Chinese New Year for off-season marketing or naturally harvested and stored until April of the following year for market.
