27.07.2016 32 885

Schisandra chinensis, cultivation and care

Schisandra chinensis, the cultivation and care of which, requires compliance with certain conditions, is gaining great popularity among gardeners. The benefits and healing properties of the plant can hardly be overestimated for the human body. It is quite easy to breed wonderful creepers in the country, you only need a little knowledge and a desire to have a beautiful garden, and an example can be seen in the photo.

How to choose seedlings?

It is possible to grow a shrub in open ground and achieve fruiting only after the successful purchase of seedlings and proper planting. To do this, select healthy bushes of two or three years of age, with roots of at least 20-25 centimeters. The roots of the plant at the time of purchase should be moist, without visible damage.

If the seedlings are sold with a clod of earth, this is even better. So the plant will be less stressed when transplanted to a permanent place. The bark of young vines should be smooth, a wrinkled cover may indicate a lack of moisture and improper storage.

During transportation, the roots are wrapped in a damp cloth, a plastic bag and transported in this state, especially if they are transported over long distances. If the roots were dry at the time of sale, but in general, after visual inspection, they look strong and vigorous, place them in water for 10-12 hours. Rooting stimulants (, etc.) can be added to the water, lemongrass will quickly move away from stress and restore vital processes.

Planting seedlings - we take into account the nuances and prepare the place

Planting a vine is a quick and easy process. It is necessary to properly prepare the soil and planting pit. Seedlings are located on the south side of the site, they do not grow well in drafts and in the shade. It is not recommended to plant bushes near buildings, outbuildings that create a shadow. If necessary, 1.5-2 meters retreat from the structures.

in the photo - chinensis schisandra seedlings
in the photo - a planted seedling of Chinese magnolia vine

Planting dates for seedlings are September and October. In early spring, you can also plant a liana (preferably for the northern regions, in the Urals, Siberia, Moscow region, where frequent early frosts in autumn can kill the plant).

Land for planting should be loose and preferably with drainage. They dig a hole 0.4-0.5 meters deep and 50-60 centimeters wide, pebbles, broken bricks or slate are laid on the bottom. Then a fertile mixture is poured (turf land, compost or humus). They put the seedling upright and fall asleep with the remaining fertile soil mixture. The root neck during planting should be located 5-4 centimeters above ground level. Then the plant is thoroughly watered (2-3 buckets of water per bush will be enough).

When planting, the plants are placed every 1.3-1.5 m, leaving a row spacing of 2.2-2.5 meters. It is advisable to plant at least two vines with different varietal characteristics. This technique allows you to increase the yield several times.

Planting a crop with seeds

Reproduction by seeds is carried out in April and May. Seeds must be stratified before sowing. In autumn, the seed material is mixed with moistened sand and stored at a temperature of 5-7 ° C above zero (a refrigerator can be used at home). Once every 14 days, the seeds with sand are taken out and aired, not forgetting to mix.

60 days before sowing seeds (in February, March), the container with them is transferred to a warm room (t + 20 ° C) for one month. Then for 30 days the temperature is reduced to +8°C. Sand throughout the entire time of stratification should remain in a moist state.

in the photo - seeds of Schisandra chinensis

Sowing of seeds is carried out in pre-prepared grooves 20 mm deep in moistened soil, diluted with sand (1: 1). After sowing, the furrows are covered, slightly compacting the soil, mulched with peat chips and sand (1: 1) in a small layer (2-2.5 cm), then watered. It is desirable to equip the bed in a greenhouse. Watering is required rare, only on hot days in the morning.

After each watering, it is advisable to shake off the grown seedlings from excess water by running your palm over the leaves of lemongrass, allowing it to dry completely. This approach allows you to protect young sprouts from rot. High humidity and high air temperature are detrimental to young seedlings. It is recommended to keep the leaves dry. For better ventilation of the sprouts, do not sow the seeds too densely.

For the winter, grown plants in the greenhouse do not require shelter. The next year, the seedlings dive to a permanent place. Usually, seedlings grown from seeds in this way are equivalent to four-year-old vines.

How to take care of the culture?

In order for the vine to quickly and get stronger and grow, take care of top dressing. Young lemongrass is fertilized according to the following scheme, in the spring 4 tsp are added to the near-trunk circle. ammonium nitrate and mulch with compost (humus).

in the photo - Chinese lemongrass in the photo - the harvest of Schisandra chinensis

Until August, in the summer, organic fertilizer is applied in liquid form every 7-10 days. Liquid top dressing, according to experienced agronomists, is most effective for young vines. A solution of mullein is prepared at the rate of 1:30, chicken manure is diluted in the same way.

When the culture begins to bear fruit, such frequent top dressing is stopped and fertilized only as needed (usually once a year in the fall). Lemongrass is not afraid of withering. All fertilizers of an adult plant come down to mulching with compost (5-7 cm) or fallen leaves (15-20 cm). Having created just such conditions, the future harvest is laid, and not the growth of shoots.

In a state of slight stress, the plant intensively begins to lay more female inflorescences, prepare to reproduce by seeds, and not by root offspring, that's the whole secret of productivity. If an adult liana is often fed, new shoots with male flowers will actively grow.

Young vines require fairly frequent watering; the soil should not be allowed to dry out completely. The lack of moisture leads to the fact that the leaves turn yellow and fade. Light green or brown spots also appear on the leaves, sometimes the edges become brown. An adult plant that has entered fruiting is watered only when the foliage wilts in the summer.

When caring for vines, you need to know how to properly cut them. Dense thickets lead to the absence of flowers, therefore, the plant does not bear fruit. There is no nectar in the flowers, pollination mainly occurs due to the wind in dry weather. Male flowers are located at the bottom of the vines, female ones at the top. Pollen needs to rise up to set fruit. It is impossible to meet these conditions without pruning. Through dense foliage, pollination occurs weakly or not at all, as a result, fruits are not formed.

in the photo - caring for Chinese lemongrass

In early spring, thinning pruning must be carried out for the proper formation of the crown, removing all intertwined tops and shoots, dry and frozen branches. Creepers of the second order (those that grow from the main central stems) are recommended to be shortened by 25-30 centimeters.

When growing, be sure to take care of the support; without a trellis, fruiting will be poor. Do not let the vine grow, dig out any excess layering, keep the plant within the perimeter of the trellis. Limiting root nutrition within the trellis will force the crop to propagate by seed. So we specifically create conditions for the formation of more flowers.

When caring for a wonderful plant, it is important to remember that the earth is not loosened in the trunk circle, the roots, which are located at a shallow depth, are damaged. It is recommended to mulch with humus or compost. To make the vine bear fruit as early as possible and harvest a good harvest of fruits, you must follow the basic golden rules.

The Far East is the birthplace of Schisandra chinensis. It is there that this plant feels at its best, pleasing the eye not only with beautiful climbing vines, but also with an excellent harvest. The value of its fruits in the East was known several thousand years ago. Hunters and sailors on long trips greatly appreciated the harvested lemongrass berries, because they added strength and helped to overcome sleep. Nowadays, in some photos you can see that Chinese magnolia vine is also used as an ornamental crop. You can also grow lemongrass in the Moscow region. To do this, it is enough to observe certain conditions of planting and care.

Varieties and varieties of lemongrass

The experts counted 25 types of lemongrass, but they could not come to a common opinion, how many varieties each of them is represented. But among summer residents, only one variety of lemongrass is cultivated - Chinese. It is a perennial vine, the length of which can reach 10 m. It grows wild only in the Far Eastern regions.

Only two cultivated varieties are known:

1. Variety Firstborn. Bred by Russian breeders. It is a dense woody vine up to 2 m tall with fruits in the form of a cylindrical brush. Each brush consists of 40 berries. The fruits ripen by the end of summer. This variety of lemongrass blooms with small pinkish or white flowers. It is unpretentious in care and feels good in different regions, including the Moscow region.
2. Variety garden-1. Bred by Ukrainian breeders. A long vine (from 5 m) with shiny leaves, on which large brushes of very sour juicy fruits ripen. Each plant can produce up to 2 kg of berries by the end of the season. Like the "Pervenets" feels great in the climate of the Moscow region.

Planting lemongrass

The success of growing lemongrass largely depends on the place of its planting, therefore this issue must be taken responsibly. Lemongrass will feel good in a warm place protected from the winds. You can plant it along the fence or gazebo.

In the Moscow region, lemongrass is recommended to be planted in early June. But it is better not to delay, because when planting at a later date, the plant may not have time to gain strength for the winter. Schisandra must be planted at a distance of at least a meter from each other. If you plant vines around the house, then gardeners recommend retreating 1-1.5 m from the wall so that drops from the roof do not fall on the roots.

A hole under the handle is dug 40 cm deep and 50-60 cm in diameter. A layer of drainage made of stones or bricks is laid at the bottom of the hole. The rest of the pit is covered with a mixture prepared from leaf compost, soddy soil and humus in a ratio of 1: 1: 1. In addition, 200 g of superphosphate and 500 g of wood resin must be added to the mixture. Too deepen the plant during planting is not worth it.

Advice. It is best to use two-year-old seedlings for planting.

Chinese lemongrass care

In order to provide the plant with light, increase the yield and decorative effect of vines, it is necessary to provide support for lemongrass. Most often, lemongrass is grown on trellises, which are installed in the year of planting lemongrass. If this is not possible, then lemongrass must be tied to pegs, and trellises should be installed next year.

Attention. Lemongrass without support is a low-growing shrub that rarely blooms and does not bear fruit.

When planting lemongrass around the house, you can use oblique ladders as supports.

An adult lemongrass does not need winter shelter, but a young one is recommended to cover the first three years with a dense layer of leaves and spruce branches.

Two years after planting, lemongrass begins to be pruned. Of the numerous young shoots, 4-5 pieces must be left, the rest should be cut off above the soil itself. It is best to do this in the fall, when the leaves have already fallen. If the vine has grown too much, and pruning was not done in the fall, then you can do it in June. But this applies only to root shoots.

Creepers can not be cut in late spring and winter. From time to time, adult plants need to be sanitized. At the same time, old ineffective vines are cut off and young productive shoots are left. They also remove broken and dried branches, and a trifle, which leads to excessive thickening of the crown. Lateral shoots are shortened after the 12th bud.

It should be borne in mind that the homeland of lemongrass is known for high air humidity, therefore, in the hot conditions of the Moscow region, lemongrass must be sprinkled with warm water, and during periods of drought, watered at the rate of 6 buckets per plant. It is important that the water is not too cold. In addition to dry periods, watering should be carried out after each top dressing.

Fertilizer and top dressing

Nutrients begin to be introduced into the soil in the 2nd-3rd year of lemongrass growth. In April, up to 30 g of saltpeter is poured around the trunk of lemongrass, which must be mulched with a layer of compost from leaves or humus.

In the summer, once every three weeks, it is necessary to make liquid organic matter. And in the fall, when lemongrass sheds its leaves, 20 g of superphosphate is added under each plant, and the earth is also loosened with the addition of 100 g of wood ash.

After 5-6 years, when the fruiting period begins in the vines, they fertilize with nitrophoska in the spring, and after flowering they add diluted organic matter. In autumn, along with superphosphate, potassium sulfate can be added.

Reproduction of lemongrass

Seeds. The most difficult way to propagate lemongrass. It is recommended to use only if it is impossible to purchase other planting material. For sowing, only fresh seeds collected this year are needed. They can be sown both immediately in the fall and in the spring, after stratification. In the second case, seed germination will be twice as high as that of spring sowing.

Seeds are collected from ripe berries. After washing and drying, they are removed until December in a dry place in a paper bag. In December, the seeds are soaked for 4 days, changing the water daily. After that, the seeds in a nylon bag are buried in wet, pre-calcined sand and kept there for a month, periodically watered. Once a week, the bag is dug up, the seeds are washed and aired for 5-10 minutes, after which they are buried again.

In January, a box of sand is placed in a refrigerator or room with zero temperature for a month. Then they are moved to a room with a temperature of +8 C. The seeds are ventilated and moistened weekly.

After cracking the seeds, they begin to plant them. A mixture of soil, peat and sand is poured into seedling containers in a ratio of 1: 2: 1. Seeds are sown in furrows at a distance of 1 cm from each other, covered with a thin layer of soil and sprayed with a spray bottle. Cover with newspaper on top.

Moisten the soil moderately every day until shoots appear. Then the box is rearranged on the windowsill, but they make a shelter from the direct rays of the sun. In the first days of June, seedlings are transplanted to the garden and make them shelter. Under cover, plants should grow until winter. No fertilizers are applied. Care consists in timely watering and removal of weeds.

Propagation by cuttings. Young shoots are cut into cuttings in early June. Before planting, the cuttings must be kept in water. They are planted under a non-woven cover or in a cold greenhouse. Water the cuttings 2-3 times a day right through the shelter, because it is removed only in mid-August. It should be remembered that only half of your cuttings will take root. This is the peculiarity of lemongrass. In autumn, rooted cuttings are removed together with a clod of earth in a cool basement. It is best to place the lump in wet sawdust.

growth. The most affordable and simple way to reproduce. Young shoots appear in large numbers near the mother bush. As planting material, offspring separated from the mother liana are very well suited.

Root cuttings. From the roots, it is necessary to cut off small (5-10 cm) areas on which dormant buds are located, and plant them in a cold greenhouse. In order for the cuttings to take root, daily watering is necessary. In the following spring, young plants can be transplanted to a permanent place.

Diseases and pests

In the Moscow region, lemongrass is very rarely exposed to diseases. You can bring them only if you purchase planting material imported from the Far East. After all, most often in this way they bring young shoots of wild magnolia vine, and with it the pathogens to which the mother liana was exposed.

Thus, despite the fact that Chinese magnolia vine is traditionally considered an inhabitant of the Far Eastern regions, growing it in the Moscow region does not cause much trouble. This unpretentious plant will bring you not only many useful fruits, but also add a twist to the landscape design of your garden. You can see the decorativeness of this plant by looking at numerous photos.

Schisandra chinensis is an ornamental vine with white flowers and bright green foliage. With its appearance, lemongrass can decorate any garden. The liana on the hedge looks very impressive, wrapping around the gate, and it is also decorated with gazebos and arches.

It is also important that for almost the entire season lemongrass is able to maintain its decorative appearance. And in the fall, when blood-red berries ripen against the background of yellowed leaves, the vine looks just great.

Chinese magnolia vine: cultivation and care

Not many people know that all parts of the vine contain useful substances and are used to prepare potions for depression and chronic fatigue.

Appearance:

Chinese magnolia vine: planting and care

Lemongrass feels great in a mild warm climate where there are no winters, and in the middle lane. In the first case, Schisandra chinensis is planted in autumn, in October, so that it can strengthen and acclimatize over the winter. In the middle lane, landing is carried out only in the spring and not earlier than April. Despite the fact that the vines grow in height, the distance between them must be at least one meter. The same applies to the structure near which the landing is made. Measure a distance of at least one and a half meters from it.

The soil he prefers light with a high content of humus and good drainage. The place where to plant lemongrass, choose the lighted. Seedlings are suitable for planting, in which the trunk height is at least ten centimeters, and the roots are well developed. Too branched roots are pruned.

Growing seedlings

The pit for seedlings should be not less than forty centimeters deep with a diameter of seventy centimeters. Put expanded clay or crushed stone on the bottom, and fill the hole itself halfway with humus, ash, superphosphate and leafy soil.

To nourish the roots, the following mixture is prepared: the mullein is mixed with clay and water is added. Everything is mixed and the roots of the vine are dipped into this composition. Bury the root system in such a way that the neck is on the surface of the earth. The earth is rammed and a mound is made. The soil is abundantly watered with water, and when it goes into the ground, sprinkle the hole with peat or humus.

Usually vine seedlings take root very well.. Caring for them is very simple. It is enough to water them occasionally and cover them in case of a scorching sun. The best seedlings are two-year-old vines.

A lot will depend on the location. When the vine is well protected from the winds and is in a warm place, then the appearance of lemongrass will be healthy and blooming. The west side of the site or the east is perfect.

Schisandra chinensis: planting seeds

This growing method is very time consuming. and for this reason little popular among gardeners. Seeds are prepared in autumn. Sow them in wet sand and mix regularly. Dried sand is constantly moistened. Store the seed container in a cool place.

At the end of February, the container is placed in a warm place and it should be there until the end of March. Then again move to the refrigerator or basement. Thus, the seeds are forced to wake up and begin to germinate.

Seeds should be planted in a greenhouse in the garden. The soil for seeds is prepared as follows: park land mixed with river sand in a ratio of 2:1. From above, a bed with seeds already planted is sprinkled with peat. Water as needed, as it is impossible to fill the seeds with a large amount of water. So, during the year they keep the sprouts under the film in the greenhouse, and after a year, they grow without shelter. After two years, the seedlings should be planted in a permanent place in the garden.

Lemongrass cultivation and care involves:

• Good soil moisture.
• Top dressing.
• Darkening from the scorching sun.

Feeding lemongrass usually starts from the third year of life.. To do this, use saltpeter, bird droppings, ash and superphosphate. Feeding with saltpeter in the spring, you will achieve lush foliage in your vine. In summer, water every two weeks with diluted bird droppings or other organic fertilizers. In autumn, they are fed with ashes.

Fruits with flowers in Chinese lemongrass appear only in the fifth year of life. Now, as a top dressing, you can use nitrophoska and potassium sulfate. Water the vine abundantly. So, for one watering they spend up to five buckets of water for each vine.

Every year in early spring, lemongrass is pruned. Remove the top and two-row vines.

Watering

Pour lemongrass Chinese plentifully. In the wild, this plant prefers to settle in moist soils. Even taking into account the fact that the root system is located horizontally and the roots practically do not go deep, a lot of water will be required.

They try to water with warm and settled water, after which the hole is sprinkled with peat or moss to avoid drying out.

Support for Chinese magnolia vine

So that the plant has large and juicy berries on large brushes , use tapestries. Thus, the illumination of the vine increases. It was noticed that a small shrub has practically no fruits. They put the supports as soon as the seedling is planted.

The support consists of columns about two and a half meters high. They are deepened by sixty centimeters, and the distance between them should be at least three meters. Three rows of metal wire are stretched, and the distance between them should be sixty centimeters. As the vine grows, it is tied up each time to the next level. Young shoots are arranged in the form of a fan.

pruning lemongrass

From the age of three in the liana, the active growth of the root system slows down and the ground part begins to grow intensively. Usually three shoots are left, and the rest should be removed. When the lemongrass reaches fifteen years old, they try to remove all the old branches from it, and leave only the young ones.

In October, dried branches are pruned, and if necessary, pruning is carried out in the middle of summer. The only times of the year when you cannot do anything to lemongrass are winter and the end of spring. During this period, there is usually an active sap flow.

Be sure to remove root shoots, and this should be done below ground level, digging the ground a little.

To form a creeper, side branches are occasionally removed.

Wintering

For the winter, only young vines are covered, up to the age of three. In the future, Schisandra chinensis will not need shelter. They are usually insulated with leaves and spruce branches.

How to pick berries

In the fifth year of life, Schisandra chinensis begins to bear fruit.. As soon as the fruits turn red, you can harvest. Harvest fruits in whole bunches. Do this carefully so as not to damage the seeds in the fruits, otherwise the taste of the berries will change and become bitter. Harvested fruits are processed on the same day to avoid fermentation and mold.

Diseases and pests

The smell of Schisandra chinensis perfectly repels all pests, but he cannot avoid diseases typical of garden plants. The most common problems:

For the first time, Chinese healers drew attention to the medicinal properties of this plant. Since then, the popularity and fame of lemongrass as a healer has been strengthened. At the moment, in many countries, entire plantations are grown for the needs of pharmaceuticals.

The influence that berries and their preparations have on the nervous system can hardly be overestimated. It was not for nothing that the northerners-hunters, going hunting, took lemongrass berries with them. They not only helped restore performance, but also acted as an excellent sedative, allowing you to concentrate and withstand severe frosts.

The fruits of this plant significantly improve visual acuity. Use the fruits during the treatment of depression and nervous exhaustion. Lemongrass has proven itself well for anemia and intestinal infections. It has an antidote effect and can even withdraw from a post-alcohol or drug state.

At home, prepare a tincture of dried berries in a ratio of 1:4. The berries are infused in a dark place for two weeks. Then use the finished tincture of twenty grams a day after meals. This product is great for relieving fatigue. Moreover, its action, unlike caffeine, acts gently without harm to the body.

From dried berries powder is prepared and added to tea as a tonic. No less healthy tea is prepared from the leaves of Chinese magnolia vine.

Juice from lemongrass berries is prepared as follows: the berries, sorted and peeled from the stalks, are covered with sugar and left for three days. The resulting juice is poured into jars and stored in the refrigerator. They drink it along with hot tea, adding it instead of sugar, or use it as a syrup for desserts.

Branches of the plant can also be used to make lemongrass tea. Those shoots that you cut in the summer, do not throw away, but chop and harvest for the winter. Thus, you will have an excellent vitamin drink until spring.

Clusters of lemongrass berries - ripe harvest

Lemongrass (lat. Schizandra chinensis) is common as a valuable medicinal crop, but is also used as an ornamental plant. This is a very unusual crop with an exquisite citrus aroma, which looks like a beautiful deciduous vine and bears fruit with bright red berries formed in a brush.

Unusual plant - lemongrass, photo and description

More than a dozen different varieties of lemongrass are found in nature. Their difference comes down to a variety of taste qualities, shapes and sizes of the fruit brush. Fruits also differ in the content of useful elements in the chemical composition.

Schisandra chinensis plant (lat. Schisandra chinensis)

The most common and cultivated is only one plant variety - Chinese magnolia vine (schizandra). This is a perennial plant, liana-like type. It is simultaneously attributed to the genus magnoliaceae and lemongrass.

Blooming lemongrass in the garden

Schisandra chinensis is characterized by a cross-pollination type, so that it bears fruit, it is necessary to grow several plants.

Useful properties of lemongrass

The healing qualities of lemongrass are used not only in medicines, but are also used in folk medicinal recipes.

Lemongrass fruits in cooking - homemade jam

Lemongrass fruits are rich in various biologically active substances. The composition includes tannins, natural tonic elements schizadrin and schizadrol, essential oils, organic carbohydrates, acids, vitamin C.

• Schisandra tincture on alcohol has a general strengthening effect, increases the body's resistance to significant mental or physical stress, improves blood circulation in the vessels.
• Popular in dietetics as a valuable energy product. Lemongrass is used to make syrups, cocktails, fruit drinks and compotes that help relieve feelings of fatigue and weakness, uplifting mood.
• In the confectionery industry, lemongrass is used for additives in exotic toppings and jams.
• Many housewives make delicious jam, fragrant tea, tinctures and compotes from it.

Growing conditions

Lemongrass is quite unpretentious, and at the same time an exotic plant that you will not find in every area. With the right choice of location and preparation of the soil for planting, its cultivation will not cause problems, but rather will bring great pleasure to the gardener.

Choosing a plot for lemongrass

The overall development of the plant and its protection from diseases depends on the correct choice of the site for planting.

Choosing a place for planting lemongrass

It is important to consider the conditions that culture likes:

• Good illumination, daylight hours should last at least 8 hours. Therefore, choose the south side when planting near garden buildings and buildings;
• Closeness from drafts and weathering. Protection from an icy, frosty wind is especially important, it can be fatal to a plant.
• Places where the plant can curl are considered convenient for planting. Near any type of buildings - fences, gazebos, arches, special trellises.

Soil preparation

Before planting, the soil must first be prepared. The following procedures must be carried out:

• loosening;
• fertilizer with humus and peat, or wood ash, superphosphate and ammonium nitrate;
• drainage with river pebbles or bricks;
• deoxidize the soil to an acidity close to neutral.

Lemongrass Chinese planting and care

Lemongrass, like all vines, takes root very well and does not require special care. Having prepared the soil, you need to choose the appropriate method of reproduction - seed or vegetative, and plant the plant correctly.

Vegetative planting method

The easiest way to propagate lemongrass is vegetatively:

• undergrowth;
• root layers;
• dividing the bush;
• cuttings.

Soaking lemongrass cuttings before planting

In the second, sometimes third year, a plant planted in this way is already beginning to bear fruit. The time of planting lemongrass vegetatively depends on climatic conditions.

The soil should warm up sufficiently, up to 10 degrees Celsius, and the possibility of reverse frosts should be completely absent. The optimal time for planting lemongrass is the end of April and the first half of May.

It is advisable to plant several plants at the same time with a distance of up to a meter. Planting holes are drained and fertilized in preparation for planting.

Planting lemongrass cuttings

• With green cuttings, the shoots are cut before flowering in order to prevent their lignification. Choose for this two or three-year-old shoots. Cuttings are cut up to 8 cm in length.
• Reproduction by layering is done in autumn. Shoots from the main plant are bent down and attached to the ground after 20-30 cm, watered and sprinkled with earth. In the spring, the layers take up new roots and in the fall the shoots can be cut into pieces.
• In autumn, you can also cut off some of the rhizomatous shoots around the vine and seat them.
• The division of the bush is mainly used only when transplanting bushes to another place. In this case, the bush is divided into parts so that the plant has its stems and roots.

Seed method of planting lemongrass

It is important to know how to grow Schisandra chinensis from seeds, as this method is considered the most effective. Planting lemongrass with seeds is carried out in the fall. This should be done before the first frost - in late September or early October.

Preparing lemongrass seeds for sowing

Plants grown from seeds are usually monoecious, with the formation of heterosexual flowers and annual fruiting. Germination with this method usually reaches 85%, and fruiting occurs in the fourth year.

Lemongrass seeds are harvested from ripened berries and sown in autumn. Sowing is carried out in shallow holes, and the process of natural stratification in winter guarantees good and strong sprouts.

Seeds sown in autumn give the first shoots at the beginning of the next summer, but do not grow very quickly, no more than 5-6 cm per year. Young lemongrass requires only stable watering - the soil should be moist, but water stagnation should not be allowed. After watering, it is recommended to carry out surface loosening of the soil and removal of weeds. Additional treatments for the plant during this period are not needed.

Lemongrass care

When caring for a plant, you should follow some rules:

• Young shoots should be shaded, protected from intense sunlight. In the future, care is reduced to shallow loosening and moistening of the soil.
• As it grows, Schisandra chinensis is important to feed and moisturize.
• The plant does not need special pruning, just removing dry and thickening vines is enough. With a strong thickening of the crown, you can cut off unnecessary and limit the growth of young shoots, cut out the root processes. It is necessary to completely remove old vines only in case of significant bareness of their crowns.
• Lemongrass should be tied to a special trellis. This will provide good lighting, and improve fruit ripening.

Lemongrass garter on a trellis

• For the winter, the plant should be well moistened and mulched. This culture is frost-resistant and adult lemongrass vines are not afraid of frost. Only in very severe frosts can fruit buds be damaged. To avoid freezing, the vines are simply removed from the support, tied together and bent closer to the ground, warming with dry foliage. Creepers are taken out in early spring.

Watering and fertilizing

To ensure a healthy appearance and good fruiting, lemongrass should be properly fed:

• in spring, at the stage of bud break in the near-trunk circle, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be added at the rate of 40 g of each top dressing per plant;
• at the stage of completion of flowering and active growth of lemongrass, add nitrogen (20 g), potassium and phosphorus (15 g each), and it is also important to use liquid organic top dressing with prepared mullein or chicken manure (solution in the appropriate proportions of 1:10 and 1:20);
• at the final stage, after harvesting, phosphorus and potassium are added, 30 g each, or wood ash.

Schisandra chinensis is a tropical crop that normally develops well in climates with high humidity. Therefore, growing it on the territory of Russia in a garden, it is important to ensure regular moisture.

It is advisable to water lemongrass by sprinkling. This should be done in the evening or at night, so that the sun does not burn the leaves, and at temperatures above 20 degrees, otherwise fungal diseases may be affected.

Mulching lemongrass with sawdust

For daytime irrigation, root watering can be used. Young plants especially need such moisture.

Adult creepers are watered in dry weather, at the rate of about 6 buckets for each. Watering should be done after each fertilization. Mulching with sawdust, bark or mulch paper is recommended for better moisture retention.

Diseases of Chinese magnolia vine

It is believed that under normal conditions, lemongrass is not subject to diseases and pest attacks. Only the introduction of diseases with planting material is possible. With improper care, it can be affected by black leaf spot, phyllocystosis, ascochitosis, and powdery mildew.

• In the fight against Fusarium wilt, it is important to disinfect the seeds through the spraying of Granosan and disinfect the greenhouses with Formalin solution (5%).
• For the treatment and prevention of diseases, spraying the bushes with fungicides and removing damaged parts of the plant (leaves, twigs, fruits) are used.
• In case of damage by powdery mildew, spraying with a solution of 0.5% soda ash and ground sulfur should be carried out. Spraying should be repeated after 10-14 days.
• For prophylactic treatment, a solution of Bordeaux liquid (1%) and Cuprosan powder (0.4%) is used.

When to Harvest

Lemongrass begins to productively bloom and bear fruit only in the fifth year, but not earlier than three years after transplanting to the place of cultivation.

Harvesting lemongrass

The fruits ripen in clusters with soft translucent red berries. It is advisable to harvest the fruits along with the twigs - stalks. They are used with green mint or dried leaves to brew natural flavored tea.

Outcome

Gardeners who decide to have a surprisingly beautiful and useful lemongrass plant will certainly be satisfied. It is not difficult to grow it, and as a reward for care and maintenance, lemongrass will not only bring great aesthetic pleasure, decorating the garden with curved shoots with an openwork green crown, but will also bring great practical health benefits, healing diseases and adding vitality.

Chinese lemongrass is still rarely found on the plots of Russian gardeners. Many are simply afraid to plant an unknown exotic culture, considering it capricious and demanding to care for. But the Chinese magnolia vine is an unpretentious plant; nothing supernatural is required from the gardener. For the observance of simple rules of care, the culture will thank with a plentiful harvest of very useful berries.

What does Chinese lemongrass look like?

Schisandra chinensis (Schisandra chinensis) is a small genus of plants from the Schisandra chinensis family. In nature, it is distributed mainly in China, Japan, in the north of the Korean Peninsula. It is also found in Russia - in the Far East, Sakhalin, the Kuril Islands. The first scientific description of it was given in 1837 by the botanist N.S. Turchaninov.

Schisandra chinensis in nature forms dense thickets

The habitat of the plant is river valleys, forest edges, old glades, clearings, burnt areas. Accordingly, it is quite cold-resistant and shade-tolerant, which makes it suitable for cultivation in most of Russia.

The leaves and shoots have a characteristic aroma of lemon peel, which is what the plant owes its name to. Although it has nothing to do with citrus fruits.

In nature, lemongrass is a large plant. The length of a creeper with a curly stem, if it is not limited by anything, reaches 12–15 m. At the same time, the stem is quite thin, only 2.5-3 cm in diameter. Flexible shoots are covered with brown bark. On young branches, it is smooth, elastic, shiny, darkens with time, changing color to black-brown, and peels off.

In autumn, Chinese magnolia vine looks elegant and very impressive.

The leaves are dense, leathery, ovate or in the form of a wide oval. The edges are carved with almost imperceptible teeth. The petioles are quite short, painted in various shades of pink and red. The front part of the front plate is glossy, bright green, the reverse side has a bluish-gray tint, along the veins there is a strip of short soft “pile”.

In autumn, the plant looks very attractive - the leaves are painted in different shades of yellow, from pale golden to saffron.

The flowering plant also looks pretty. Lemongrass flowers resemble magnolia made from wax. The petals are snow-white, before falling off, they acquire a delicate pastel pink hue. The buds are collected in inflorescences of 3-5 pieces, located in the axils of the leaves. Pedicels rather long, slightly drooping under their weight. Flowering occurs in the first half of July.

Schisandra chinensis flowers, spreading a pleasant aroma, attract pollinating insects to the garden plot

Lemongrass fruits are small spherical bright scarlet berries, collected 15–25 pieces in a brush 8–12 cm long, resembling bunches of grapes or red currants. They also have a characteristic citrus aroma. Each contains 1-2 large seeds. Taste due to the high content of organic acids, resinous and tannins, essential oils is extremely specific. The peel is sweetish-salty, tart, the juice is very sour, astringent, the seeds are bitter.

In China, the fruit is called the "berry of five tastes."

It is almost impossible to eat fresh berries of Schisandra chinensis (especially its wild varieties)

The average yield of Schisandra chinensis is 3–5 kg of berries from an adult plant. But once every 3-7 years there are "bursts" when the vine brings 1.5-2 times more fruit than the gardener expected. Harvest ripens in August or early September.

Lemongrass is a dioecious plant. This means that pollination and subsequent fruiting is possible only if there are specimens with "male" and "female" flowers on the site at the same time.

The yield of Chinese magnolia vine is not amazing, but its fruits are, rather, not a delicacy, but a medicine

Application

In folk medicine, seeds and dried fruits of magnolia vine are used. They are distinguished by a high content of vitamin C, as well as microelements vital for the body (iron, zinc, copper, selenium, iodine, manganese). Lemongrass has the ability to relieve fatigue caused by intense physical and mental stress, sharpen eyesight and hearing, and relieve depression. It is also extremely useful for strengthening immunity and stimulating tissue regeneration, helps with beriberi, problems with the heart and blood vessels, and the respiratory system.

For Far Eastern hunters, a handful of dry berries allowed them to forget about the feeling of fatigue and hunger throughout the day.

Dried berries of Chinese lemongrass - a strong tonic

There is also a fairly long list of contraindications. Schisandra chinensis is forbidden to be used by pregnant women and children under 12 years of age, as well as those who suffer from vegetovascular dystonia, any allergies, chronic insomnia, high intracranial pressure, and infectious diseases. At the same time, preparations from it are recommended to be taken before noon, so as not to provoke insomnia. The simultaneous use of any sleeping pills, tranquilizers, neuroleptics, psychostimulant drugs is strictly prohibited. In general, it is undesirable to “prescribe” lemongrass on your own, it is better to consult a doctor first.

Common varieties

In nature, according to various sources, there are from 15 to 23 varieties of Schisandra chinensis. The culture also does not enjoy special attention from breeders, so the choice of varieties is limited. The following varieties are most often found in garden plots:

1. Garden one. Self-fertile hybrid that does not need pollinators. It is characterized by high cold resistance, good yield, shoot growth rate. The berries are very juicy and sour. The average length of the brush is 9–10 cm, each with 22–25 berries. The average yield is 4–6 kg from an adult plant.
2. Mountain. A variety of medium ripening, bred in the Far East, it is considered one of the most promising there. Harvest ripens in the last decade of August. Differs in high winter hardiness and good immunity. The average length of the brush is 8–9 cm, weight is 12–13 g. It consists of 15–17 dark scarlet bitterish berries with noticeable sourness. The pulp is firm but juicy. The yield is low, 1.5–2 kg per plant.
3. Volgar. The variety is resistant to winter cold and summer drought, rarely suffers from diseases and pests. On the same plant, as a rule, both "male" and "female" flowers bloom, but sometimes there is a season when only "male" flowers are formed. Harvest ripens in the first decade of September. The mass of the brush is 6–7.5 g, it consists of 13–15 berries. The fruits are very sour, with a pronounced resinous aroma.
4. Firstborn. One of the latest achievements of Russian breeders, bred in Moscow. The variety is valued for frost resistance and disease resistance. The berries are small, elongated, purple-scarlet, the flesh is bright red. The length of the brush is about 12 cm, weight is 10–12 g. The bush is medium tall, the plant is monoecious. A significant drawback is low frost resistance, weak immunity. The length of the vine is no more than 5 m.
5. Myth. A hybrid whose origin could not be established for certain. The brushes are not too long, up to 7 cm, but the berries are not particularly sour, they can even be eaten fresh. There are 15–18 of them in each infructescence.
6. Oltis. The birthplace of the variety is the Far East. It is valued for its good yield (3–4 kg per plant) and resistance to diseases typical of the crop. Berries are dark scarlet, small. The average length of the brush is 9-11 cm, weight - 25-27 g, each with 25-30 fruits. The taste is bitter-sour.
7. Purple. One of the oldest varieties, bred in 1985 in the Far East. The ripening period of the crop is the last decade of August. The first fruits are removed already 3–4 years after planting the seedling in the ground. Productivity - 3-4 kg from an adult plant. The variety is distinguished by exceptional winter hardiness, but often suffers from diseases. The berries are small, the brushes are compact. The skin is scarlet, the taste is noticeably sour.

Photo gallery: Chinese magnolia vine varieties

Embarkation and transfer procedure

Schisandra chinensis is planted in garden plots not only for fruiting, but also for decoration. Liana is widely used in landscape design. Pergolas, railings, arches, “green walls” entwined with leaves look especially impressive.

Schisandra chinensis is not only useful, but also a very decorative plant.

Planting time depends on the region of cultivation. In areas with a warm climate (Ukraine, southern Russia), it can be planned for September and even for the first half of October. There is enough time before frosts, the plant will have time to adapt to new living conditions. In temperate regions (Urals, Siberia) the only option is spring. In central Russia, Chinese magnolia vine is planted at the end of April or in the first decade of May (the soil should warm up to at least 10ºС by this time, but you need to have time before the growth buds “wake up”). During the summer, the plant will form a developed root system and have time to properly prepare for winter.

Experienced gardeners recommend planting at least three seedlings of lemongrass at the same time (ideally, different varieties), leaving an interval of about 1 m between them, and 2–2.5 m between rows. also, so that drops of water do not fall from the roof onto the plant (this is harmful to the roots). Be sure to provide a place to place the trellis. Otherwise, the plant will simply refuse to bear fruit. The simplest option is 2-3-meter poles arranged in a row with wire stretched over them in several rows at different heights. As the vine grows, its shoots are tied to it, forming a fan-like structure. When grown in a warm climate, Schisandra chinensis shoots are not removed from the trellis even for the winter.

Seedlings are selected based on the state of the root system. It must be developed. It is necessary to have at least three roots about 20 cm long. The average height of a 2–3-year-old plant is 12–15 cm.

Saplings of Chinese magnolia vine are low, this is normal for the culture

Schisandra chinensis prefers fertile soil, but loose and light, well permeable to air and water. A heavy substrate is categorically not suitable, in which moisture stagnates for a long time - silty, clay, peat.

The plant will tolerate both partial shade and shade, but the maximum possible yields are harvested when grown in an open sunny place. It is desirable that it be protected from gusts of cold wind by some natural or artificial barrier located at some distance from the liana.

In areas with a temperate climate, lemongrass is most often located on the western side of buildings and structures, in the subtropics - on the eastern side. In the first case, this placement provides the liana with enough sun, in the second case, it protects from the intense heat of the day.

The maximum possible harvest brings Chinese lemongrass, planted in an open sunny place.

Another culture does not like too wet soil at the roots. If groundwater comes closer to the surface than 1.5–2 m, you need to look for another place for lemongrass.

The landing pit is always prepared in advance. If the procedure is planned in the fall - a few weeks before it, and during spring planting - in the previous season. The average depth is 40–50 cm, the diameter is 65–70 cm. A drainage layer 8–10 cm thick is required at the bottom. You can use crushed stone, expanded clay, clay shards, and ceramic chips. The fertile turf extracted from the pit is mixed with humus or compost (20–30 l), sifted wood ash (0.5 l), simple superphosphate (120–150 g) and potassium sulfate (70–90 g) and poured back, forming on mound at the bottom. Then the hole is covered with something waterproof so that the rains do not wash away the soil, and left until planting.

Read more about planting in our article: We plant Chinese magnolia vine with seeds and other methods.

At the bottom of the planting pit, prepared for Schisandra chinensis, a layer of drainage is required

Boarding procedure:

1. The roots of the seedling are examined, all rotten and dried up are cut off, the rest are shortened to a length of 20–25 cm. Then they are soaked for a day in water heated to a temperature of 27–30ºС. To disinfect and prevent the development of fungal diseases, you can add a few crystals of potassium permanganate to it, to activate the development of the root system and minimize the stress associated with transplantation - any biostimulant (potassium humate, Epin, Zircon, succinic acid, aloe juice).
2. The roots are thickly coated with gruel of powdered clay and fresh cow dung, then dried in the sun for 2-3 hours. The correct mass in consistency resembles a thick cream.
3. The plant is placed on an earthen mound at the bottom of the planting pit. The roots are straightened so that they "look" down, and not up or to the sides. Then they begin to fill the pit with small portions of soil, periodically compacting the substrate with their palms. In the process, you need to constantly monitor the position of the root collar - it should be 2–3 cm above the ground.
4. The soil in the near-stem circle is watered abundantly, spending about 20 liters of water. When it is absorbed, this area is mulched with peat chips or humus. The seedling will take root quite quickly, but for the first 2–3 weeks it is desirable to protect it from direct sunlight by constructing a canopy from any white covering material.
5. Shoots are shortened, leaving 3-4 growth buds. All leaves, if any, are cut off.

The place for lemongrass is chosen deliberately, the plant does not tolerate transplantation too well

It is advisable to choose a place for Chinese magnolia vine immediately and forever. Young seedlings tolerate the procedure quite easily, quickly adapt to new living conditions, but this cannot be said about adult plants.

Video: how to plant lemongrass

Plant care and growing nuances in different regions

Caring for Chinese lemongrass is not particularly difficult, all the necessary procedures will not take much time from the gardener.

Watering

Lemongrass is a moisture-loving plant. In nature, it most often grows along the banks of rivers. Therefore, water it often and plentifully. The norm for an adult vine is 60–70 liters of water every 2–3 days. Of course, if the weather is cool, damp outside, the intervals between procedures are increased - the plant does not like water that stagnates at the roots. The preferred method is sprinkling.

In extreme heat, it is also advisable to spray the leaves daily in the evenings. This procedure is also very useful for young plants planted in the garden this year.

If there is a technical possibility, Schisandra chinensis is watered by sprinkling, simulating natural precipitation.

The next day after watering, the soil in the near-stem circle should be loosened to a depth of 2–3 cm, if necessary, weeded. Mulch will help save time on weeding. It also retains moisture in the soil.

top dressing

If the planting hole has been prepared correctly, Schisandra chinensis will have enough nutrients in the soil for the next two years. Feeding the plant begins from the third season of being in the open field.

From fertilizers, the culture prefers natural organic matter. Chinese magnolia vine grows quite quickly, so during the summer every 15–20 days it is watered with an infusion of cow dung, bird droppings, nettle leaves or dandelion. In principle, any weed can be used. Raw materials are infused for 3-4 days, before use they are diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10 (litter - 1:15). You can also use complex fertilizers containing nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus - Nitrophoska, Azofoska, Diammofoska. Once every 2–3 years at the beginning of the active growing season, 25–30 liters of humus or rotted compost are distributed in the near-stem circle.

Nettle infusion - a natural source of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus

After harvesting, the plant needs potassium and phosphorus. 40-50 g of simple superphosphate and potassium sulfate are diluted in 10 liters of water or distributed along the trunk circle in a dry form during loosening. The natural alternative is about 0.5–0.7 liters of wood ash.

Support for creepers

Lemongrass is grown on a trellis, because without it it is impossible to get a crop. The average height of the supports is 2–2.5 m, the distance between them is about 3 m. It is desirable to limit the liana in growth, this simplifies its care. A wire is stretched horizontally between the posts in several rows - the first at a distance of 50 cm from the ground, then every 70–80 cm.

Schisandra chinensis on a trellis looks very neat and bears fruit abundantly

Shelter for the winter

Schisandra chinensis is successfully grown not only in regions with a warm subtropical climate (Ukraine, southern Russia). Frost resistance down to -35ºС makes it possible to cultivate it in the North-West region, in the Urals, in Siberia. In central Russia, the plant does not need shelter for the winter, the vine is not even removed from the trellis. But where severe and prolonged frosts are not uncommon, it is better to play it safe. At the same time, it is worth remembering that the main danger to the culture is not winter cold, but return spring frosts. Therefore, there is no need to rush to remove the shelter.

The shoots are carefully unhooked from the support, laid out on the ground covered with a layer of mulch about 10 cm thick, covered with straw, spruce or pine branches, fallen leaves and covered with burlap, any other air-permeable covering material. Preliminary, it is necessary to carry out moisture-charging irrigation, spending about 80 liters of water per adult plant.

Harvesting

The first crop is harvested 4–6 years after the planting of Schisandra chinensis in the ground. Fruits are removed by whole brushes. It's easy to check if they're up to date. You need to pull the escape and lightly tap on it. Ripe berries fall off. They have a very short shelf life. Fresh fruits must be processed within the next 2-3 days so that they do not become moldy and start to rot. Most often they are dried, sometimes frozen, ground with sugar.

pruning lemongrass

The first time pruning of lemongrass is carried out during planting, then - for the third season of being in the open field. As a rule, by this time the plant manages to form a developed root system and "switches" to the shoots. On the vine, 5–7 of the strongest and most developed stems are left, the rest are removed to the point of growth. In the future, pruning is carried out regularly, in spring and autumn. The procedure cannot be neglected - much fewer flowers form in dense thickets, their pollination is almost impossible, and, accordingly, the yield decreases.

Pruning is carried out only with sharply sharpened and disinfected tools.

The procedure is carried out at the very beginning of March: they get rid of all frozen, dried up or broken branches under the weight of snow. If you do not have time before the start of active sap flow, you can destroy the plant.

In autumn, after the foliage has fallen, the shoots are cut off, intertwined, unsuccessfully located, weak, deformed, affected by diseases and pests, "bald". Also cut off that part of the vine that has been fruiting for the last 3 years. This is necessary for the proper development of new shoots and rejuvenation of the plant.

The purpose of pruning Schisandra chinensis is to form a bush that receives even sun

If the vine forms too many new shoots, pruning is carried out in the summer. Each of them is shortened, leaving 10-12 growth buds. Also, do not forget about the fight against root shoots. Only the strongest layers are not cut out, so that later they can replace the old branches with them.

After the plant reaches the age of 15–18 years, a radical anti-aging pruning is carried out. Leave only 4-5 healthy strong fruit-bearing shoots this year, the rest are cut off to the point of growth.

Reproduction methods

Amateur gardeners most often propagate Chinese magnolia vine using vegetative methods. You can also try to grow a vine from seeds, but in this case, the preservation of the varietal characteristics of the parent is not guaranteed. In addition, this process is quite laborious.

Vegetative reproduction

For vegetative propagation, root shoots, cuttings and layering are used.

seed germination

Seeds of Chinese lemongrass remain viable for a very short time, literally 2-3 months. Therefore, it is best to sow them immediately after harvest. Seedlings are not grown at home, planting material is planted in a garden bed before winter. They are deepened by a maximum of 1.5 cm, they must be sprinkled with snow on top as soon as enough of it falls.

Schisandra chinensis seeds must be thoroughly cleaned of pulp and dried before planting to avoid the development of rot.

Experienced gardeners advise mixing lemongrass seeds with dill. The last one rises first. Such a trick allows you not to lose the landing site, and in the future the plants form a kind of natural "canopy", providing the seedlings with the penumbra they need.

You can save the seeds until spring, but stratification is required - an imitation of the cold season. Seeds are stored during the winter in a refrigerator in a small container filled with a mixture of peat chips and sand, constantly kept slightly moist and pre-sterilized.

There is another interesting way to prepare for landing. Until the middle of winter, the seeds are not removed from the fruit. Then they are thoroughly cleaned of pulp, put in a linen bag or wrapped in cheesecloth and placed under cool running water for 3-4 days (a toilet bowl will do). Then the seeds in the bag are buried in a container with moistened sand and kept at room temperature for a month. After that, they are buried in the snow for about the same amount.

After the stratification, the skin of the seeds begins to crack. In this form, they are planted in individual peat pots filled with a mixture of humus and coarse sand. The first shoots should appear in 12–15 days, but if the seeds were not constantly in a humid environment, the process can stretch for 2–2.5 months. The seedlings do not differ in growth rate, stretching only 5–7 cm per year.

Stratification has a positive effect on seed germination

Further care is to provide protection from direct sunlight, maintain the soil in a moderately moist state and periodically water with a pale pink solution of potassium permanganate to prevent fungal diseases.

You can wait a long time for shoots of Schisandra chinensis, they do not differ in growth rate

In the first decade of June, the seedlings are transferred to the garden, leaving at least 10 cm between them. During the summer, they are protected from the hot sun, and a shelter is built for the winter from frost. After 2-3 years, mature plants can be transplanted to a permanent place.

Typical diseases, pests and their control

Schisandra chinensis naturally has good immunity. Due to the high content of tannins in the tissues, almost all pests bypass it. Birds don't like fruits either. Breeders have learned to protect plants from mold and rot. These diseases rarely affect all modern varieties. However, the list of fungi dangerous to the culture is not limited to them. Schisandra chinensis can suffer from the following diseases:

• fusarium. Most often, young plants become infected with the fungus. They stop developing, the shoots darken and thin, the leaves turn yellow and fall off. The roots turn black, become slimy to the touch. For prevention, the seeds are kept in a solution of Trichodermin for 15-20 minutes before planting, they also shed the soil in the garden. A diseased plant must be immediately removed from the garden and burned, eliminating the source of infection. The soil in this place is disinfected by watering with a bright pink solution of potassium permanganate;
• powdery mildew. Leaves, buds and stems are covered with spots of a whitish coating, similar to scattered flour. Gradually it thickens and turns brown. The affected parts of the plant dry up and die. For prevention, the vine and the soil in the garden are dusted every 10–15 days with crushed chalk, sifted wood ash, and colloidal sulfur. To combat the disease at an early stage, a solution of soda ash is used (10–15 g per 10 l of water), in severe cases, fungicides (HOM, Topaz, Skor, Kuprozan);
• leaf spot (ascochitosis, ramulariasis). Irregular brownish-beige spots with a black-brown border appear on the leaves. Gradually, the fabrics in these places from the inside are covered with small black dots, dry out, holes form. For prevention, the seeds are soaked for 2–3 hours in a bright pink solution of potassium permanganate, Alirin-B. Having found alarming symptoms, even minimally affected leaves are cut and burned, the plant is sprayed 2-3 times with an interval of 7-12 days with a 1% solution of Bordeaux liquid or copper sulfate. Fungicides of biological origin are also used.

Photo gallery: symptoms of Schisandra chinensis diseases

It is necessary to use any chemicals to fight diseases only as a last resort, because they have the property of accumulating in plant tissues. The best prevention is proper care, and this is what you need to focus on. Infected parts are burned as quickly as possible, and not stored somewhere in the far corner of the site.

Chinese lemongrass is a plant that not only decorates the garden, but is also very useful. There is nothing difficult in regularly getting a crop of berries rich in vitamins, microelements and organic acids. The plant does not present any unusual requirements for agricultural technology; it successfully adapts and bears fruit in a variety of climatic and weather conditions.

Among ornamental plants, there are many that will appeal to inveterate pragmatists. Planting lemongrass on the site will be an excellent solution for those who, along with the aesthetic pleasure of decorating the country landscape, get a beneficial effect that will pay off the effort, money and time spent on caring for the liana. Until late autumn, the plant does not lose its attractiveness. In spring, lemongrass captivates with white fragrant flowers, in summer with lush emerald greens, from which clusters studded with ripening berries peep out. In autumn, it changes color to lemon yellow, highlighting the vibrant beauty of its scarlet fruit. Creepers grow rapidly, covering the supports with a carpet of leaves, and can hide any garden imperfections behind them: old buildings, fences, sheds, chipped walls. The arches and arbors entwined with them look great.

Selecting a landing site

Chinese lemongrass comes from the subtropics. The main place of its growth in the wild is the Far Eastern region, especially the Amur Region, Khabarovsk and Primorsky Territories, less often it is found on Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands. Schizandra owes its cultivation to gardeners, who fell in love with it for its catchy beauty, and the easy care and unpretentiousness of the liana added to its merits in the eyes of the owners of summer cottages. It is grown in the Baltic States, Ukraine, Belarus, in the middle lane and in the south of Russia, in Western Siberia.

In the garden, the success of growing vines is directly related to the competent choice of a site for planting it. If it is done correctly, the plant will not only thank you for its high decorativeness, but also bring a good harvest of healthy berries. It is better not to plant lemongrass in the shade, it prefers sunny and warm places. Drafts and dry hot winds are equally detrimental to vines, so the site must be protected from them. Best of all, the plant develops near the southern walls of buildings. Its landing on the western or eastern side is acceptable. In this case, lemongrass will have enough light that will fall on it for half a day.

Growing a crop requires thorough soil preparation. Abundant fruiting from vines can be expected only in loose, highly nutritious soil with a high content of humus and with a reaction that is neutral or as close as possible to it. Good drainage is very important for them. The plant is demanding on the structure and quality of the soil.
Prepare a suitable substrate for it according to the following rules:

1. If the soil on the site is characterized by high acidity for lemongrass, it is neutralized by adding lime.
2. Clay is added to peaty and sandy soil and the mixture is enriched with organic fertilizers.
3. If the land in the garden is a heavy loam that does not allow water and air to pass well to the roots of vines, it is prepared for their cultivation by adding sand and humus.

Lemongrass does not like excessive moisture, so it is better to plant it in areas where groundwater is low. If they come close to the soil surface, it is recommended for the plant to fill high shafts or choose natural hills.

Disembarkation rules

The time for planting lemongrass on the site depends on the climate of the area. In the middle lane, the procedure is carried out in the spring, from late April to early May. In the southern regions, it is better to land in autumn, in October. It is worth considering one nuance. Growing lemongrass will be more successful if it is immediately placed in a permanent place without replanting. Therefore, the timing of the procedure is also determined by the time of acquisition of planting material. If the creepers bought in the fall are buried for the winter, they may not take root during a spring transplant.

Bushes growing separately from each other do not develop well, so it is better to place lemongrass in a row of 3 copies, leaving an interval of 1 m between them. They are planted in a trench, the width of which is 0.5 m, and the depth does not exceed 0.6 m. To facilitate further care of the vines, in the middle, at a distance of about 1.5 m, metal stakes are installed on which the trellis will be attached. The bottom of the trench is covered with a 30-cm drainage layer of crushed stone, gravel, broken brick or slag, slightly compacting it. A nutrient substrate is poured on top, in which the soil is thoroughly mixed with the following components:

• rotted manure;
• phosphorus;
• nitrogen;
• lime;
• sand.

There is another option for preparing the soil for lemongrass: take leaf compost, soddy soil and humus in equal proportions, add superphosphate (0.2 kg) and wood ash (0.5 kg). The fertile mixture in the trench is crushed. In those places where the vines will be planted, a cone-shaped tubercle is formed from it, which is slightly compacted. If the cultivation of lemongrass is planned near the wall of the house, a trench is made at a distance of 1-1.5 m from it. This will protect the roots of the vine from waterlogging: drops from the roof will not fall on them.

For breeding lemongrass on the site, it is better to choose seedlings that have reached 2-3 years. By this age, their height is usually only 10-15 cm, but their root systems are already well developed. Before planting, the underground part of the plant is dipped into a bucket of clay mash mixed with mullein (1 liter of fertilizer per 1 bucket of water). The seedling is placed on a tubercle and, gently spreading the roots along it in all directions, sprinkled with soil. It is important to ensure that the root collar of the plant is not deeply buried, but remains at the level of the soil surface. The earth around the vine is slightly compacted, well watered and mulched using peat or humus. A layer of organic substrate near its trunk will help retain moisture in the soil and feed the seedling. Young plants take root easily.

After landing

For the first time after being placed in the ground, caring for lemongrass involves

• protection from the bright sun (it needs shading for 2-3 weeks);
• loosening the soil to a shallow depth;
• weeding;
• spraying vines with warm water in dry weather.

In the homeland of culture, the climate is warm, but humid, so in the hot summer its cultivation will require constant attention. Young lemongrass especially need regular spraying, which can die without enough water. Watering adult plants is necessary in 2 cases: when the days are dry and after each feeding. Warm water is used for the procedure, 5-6 buckets are consumed per bush. To keep moisture in the soil longer, the hole is covered with dry earth from above.

The first 2 years after planting lemongrass are characterized by intensive growth of the root system. In lianas, it is fibrous and is located close to the soil surface - at a distance of 8-10 cm. Therefore, care in the form of loosening is important to carry out carefully and shallowly, plunging only 2-3 cm into the soil. Lemongrass responds well to fertilizers. Both organic and mineral compositions are suitable for it. During the period of active development of the root system, it is better to apply them in a dry form, scattering them over the surface of the soil like mulch.

When the seedlings reach the age of 3 years, the feeding scheme changes. Three times a season they are fed with complex mineral preparations. The first feeding is carried out in early spring, while the buds of the vine are still sleeping, introducing nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus in equal proportions. You can use nitrophoska for it (at the rate of 4-50 g per 1 m²). The time for the second comes after the completion of flowering, when the formed ovaries are actively growing. During this period, the plant needs more nitrogen, but it also needs potassium and phosphorus. Experienced gardeners recommend watering lemongrass with diluted and fermented mullein (1 bucket per 1 bush). It is allowed to replace it with bird droppings.

After harvesting, the vine is fertilized for the last time. Potassium and phosphorus are used for the third feeding. Mineral preparations are embedded in the mulch with a rake, not forgetting to water the plants abundantly after the procedure. Growing a crop will not bring trouble if compost is introduced into the soil every 2-3 years, deepening the nutrient composition by 6-8 cm.

Supports and pruning

Proper care of lemongrass involves tying it to supports. It is advisable to grow vines on a trellis, then they will be better lit, and their brushes and berries will turn out to be larger. If lemongrass is not tied up, its decorative effect will decrease, it will be a low bush and most likely will not please with a harvest. It is better to install the trellis immediately when planting vines, in extreme cases, next spring. During her absence, wooden stakes can be used as a support for young shoots.

The poles for the trellis should be chosen long, their height after digging in should be 2-2.5 m. They are deepened into the soil by 0.6 m, and then 3 rows of wire are pulled. The lower one is located at a height of 0.5 m from the surface. Young seedlings are tied to it in the first year of their development in the garden. 0.7-1 m is left between the remaining rows. They will be needed when the shoots grow up. Care in the form of periodic tying is needed for lemongrass all summer. Arrange the branches of the vines on the trellis in a fan-like manner, directing them upwards. They are not removed for the winter.

If lemongrass was planted near the house, it will be supported by ladders installed at an angle.

Plant pruning is carried out for preventive purposes and to increase decorativeness. They begin to perform it when the seedling sprouts in one place for 2-3 years. In the life of the liana at this time, the stage of intensive development of the roots is replaced by the phase of active growth of green mass. A lot of shoots appear on it, of which 3-6 must be left, cutting off the rest as close to the soil as possible. If lemongrass is an adult, its old 15-18-year-old branches that bear few fruits are also removed, replacing them with the strongest young shoots.

The best time for pruning is autumn, when the vine has already shed its leaves. If necessary, you can spend it in the first half of the summer. In winter and at the end of spring, it is dangerous to do this: after removing the shoots, the plant will secrete abundant juice and may dry out. With the advent of heat, it is only allowed to get rid of the root growth. Do this every year, cutting it under the soil. If the procedure pursues sanitary purposes, then dry, damaged, small shoots are removed from lemongrass, which thicken the crown. The side branches of the creeper should not be too long. When pruning, 10-12 buds are left on them.


Lemongrass is a very spectacular plant that will decorate the garden with its elegant decoration from spring to autumn. It will also come in handy in winter, its berries will give a charge of vivacity and help in the treatment of many diseases. Tea made from the leaves, stems or bark of lemongrass has a pleasant color and delicate aroma. In addition to the healing effect, it tones, refreshes and perfectly quenches thirst.

Growing lemongrass on the site has its own characteristics. In order for the vines to bring a rich harvest, you will have to try: choose the right place for them, carefully prepare the soil, put up supports, regularly spray, feed and cut. But the care of the plant does not differ in complexity; if the above recommendations are followed, even beginners in gardening will successfully cope with it.

Schisandra chinensis, the cultivation and care of which requires compliance with certain conditions, is gaining great popularity among gardeners, the benefits and healing properties of which can hardly be overestimated for the human body. Breeding wonderful creepers in the country is quite easy, you only need a little knowledge and a desire to have a beautiful plant in the garden.

Schisandra chinensis saplings - how to choose?

It is possible to grow a beautiful powerful vine and achieve fruiting only after the successful purchase of seedlings and the correct planting of magnolia vine. For planting, healthy bushes of two or three years of age are selected, having roots of at least 20-25 centimeters. The roots of the plant at the time of purchase should be moist, without visible damage.

If Chinese magnolia vine seedlings are sold with a clod of earth, this is even better, the plant will be less stressed when transplanted to a permanent place. The bark of young vines should be smooth, a wrinkled cover may indicate a lack of moisture in the plant and improper storage.

During transportation, the roots are wrapped in a damp cloth, a plastic bag and transported in this state, especially if the plant is transported over long distances. If the roots of the plant were dry when sold, but in general, after a visual inspection, they look strong and vigorous, place lemongrass in water for 10-12 hours to saturate the roots and plants with moisture. Rooting stimulants can be added to the water (Epin, Zircon, etc.), lemongrass will quickly move away from stress and restore vital processes.

Planting seedlings - we take into account the nuances and prepare the place

How to grow Chinese magnolia vine, how does a wonderful creeper plant? Planting Chinese magnolia vine is a quick and easy process, as long as you properly prepare the soil and the planting hole. Plants are located on the south side of the plot, in drafts and in the shade, lemongrass does not grow well. It is not recommended to plant a vine near buildings, outbuildings that create a shadow, if necessary, 1.5-2 meters retreat from the structures.

When to plant Schisandra chinensis? Planting dates for seedlings fall in September and October, in early spring you can also plant a liana (preferably for the northern regions, in the Urals, in Siberia, where frequent early frosts in autumn can kill the plant).

Land for planting should be loose and preferably with drainage. They dig a hole 0.4-0.5 meters deep and 50-60 centimeters wide, pebbles, broken bricks or slate are laid at the bottom of the hole. Then a fertile mixture is poured (soddy soil, compost or humus), the seedling is placed vertically and covered with the remaining fertile soil mixture. The root neck of the Chinese lemongrass when planting should be 5-4 centimeters above ground level. Then the plant is thoroughly watered (2-3 buckets of water per bush will be enough).

When planting several seedlings of lemongrass, the plants are placed every 1.3-1.5 meters, leaving a row spacing of 2.2-2.5 meters. It is advisable to plant at least two vines with different varietal characteristics; this technique allows you to increase the yield of Chinese magnolia vine by several times.

Schisandra chinensis - planting seeds

Growing Chinese magnolia vine from seeds is also possible, seed propagation is carried out in April and May, but the seeds must be stratified before sowing. In autumn, the seed material is mixed with moistened sand and stored at a temperature of 5-7 ° C above zero (at home it can be stored in the refrigerator). Once every 14 days, the seeds with sand are taken out and aired, not forgetting to mix.

60 days before sowing seeds (in February, March), the container with seedlings is transferred to a warm room (t + 20 ° C) for one month. Then for 30 days the temperature is reduced to +8°C. Sand throughout the entire time of stratification should remain in a moist state.

in the photo - Schisandra chinensis seeds

Sowing seeds of Schisandra chinensis is carried out in pre-prepared grooves 20 mm deep in moistened soil, diluted with sand (1: 1). After sowing, the furrows are covered, slightly compacting the soil, mulched with peat chips and sand (1: 1) in a small layer (2-2.5 cm), then watered. It is desirable to equip the bed in a greenhouse. Watering is required rare, only on hot days in the morning.

After each watering, it is advisable to shake off the grown plants from excess water by running your palm over the leaves of lemongrass, allowing the leaves to dry completely. This approach allows you to protect the young sprouts of Chinese magnolia vine from rot. High humidity and high air temperature are detrimental to young seedlings. It is recommended to keep the leaves dry. For better ventilation of the sprouts, do not sow Schisandra chinensis seeds too thickly.

For the winter, grown plants in the greenhouse do not require shelter. The following year, Chinese lemongrass seedlings are planted in a permanent place. Usually, seedlings grown from seeds in this way are equivalent to four-year-old vines.

How to care for lemongrass?

Chinese lemongrass, the cultivation of which is not so painful, still requires the fulfillment of a number of criteria. In order for the vine to grow quickly and grow stronger, take care of feeding the young plant. Young lemongrass is fertilized according to the following scheme, in the spring 4 tsp are added to the near-trunk circle. ammonium nitrate and mulch with compost (humus).

Until August, in the summer, every 7-10 days, organic fertilizer is applied in liquid form for Chinese magnolia vine. Liquid top dressing, according to experienced agronomists involved in the cultivation of Schisandra chinensis, is most effective for young vines. A solution of mullein is prepared at the rate of 1:30 and the plants are watered, chicken manure is diluted in the same way.

When the Chinese lemongrass begins to bear fruit, such frequent top dressing is stopped and the vines are fertilized only as needed (usually once a year in the fall). Lemongrass is not afraid of withering. All fertilizers of an adult plant come down to mulching with compost (5-7 cm) or fallen leaves (15-20 cm). Having created just such conditions, the future harvest is laid, and not the growth of shoots.

In a state of slight stress, the plant intensively begins to lay more female inflorescences, prepare to reproduce by seeds, and not by root offspring, that's the whole secret of the yield of Chinese magnolia vine. If an adult vine is often fed, new vines with male flowers will actively grow.

Young vines require fairly frequent watering; the soil should not be allowed to dry out completely. The lack of moisture leads to the fact that the leaves of the Chinese lemongrass turn yellow and fade, light green or brown spots also appear on the leaves, sometimes the edges of the leaves become brown. An adult plant that has entered fruiting is watered only when the foliage wilts in the summer.

When caring for vines, you need to know how to properly cut Chinese magnolia vine, dense thickets lead to a lack of flowers, therefore, the plant does not bear fruit. There is no nectar in the flowers, pollination mainly occurs due to the wind in dry weather. Male flowers are located at the bottom of the vines, female ones at the top, pollen must rise up to set fruits. It is impossible to comply with these conditions without pruning, pollination occurs weakly or does not occur at all through dense foliage, as a result, Chinese magnolia vine fruits do not form.

in the photo - caring for Chinese lemongrass

In early spring, thinning pruning must be carried out to properly form the plant, removing all intertwined tops and shoots, dry and frozen branches. Creepers of the second order (those that grow from the main central stems) are recommended to be shortened by 25-30 centimeters.

When growing vines, be sure to take care of the support; without a trellis, fruiting will be poor. Do not let the vine grow, dig out any excess layering, keep the plant within the perimeter of the trellis. Limiting the nutrition of the roots within the trellis will cause Chinese magnolia vine to propagate by seed, so we specifically create conditions for the formation of more flowers.

When caring for a wonderful plant, it is important to remember that the earth is not loosened in the trunk circle, the roots are damaged, which are located at a shallow depth, it is recommended to mulch with humus or compost. To make Chinese lemongrass bear fruit as early as possible and harvest a good harvest of fruits, you must follow the basic golden rules:

1. It is not advisable to plant seedlings in an amount of at least two; it is not advisable to propagate by layering;
2. When planting, follow the root neck, which should not be buried in the ground, but be 5-7 centimeters above the soil surface;
3. The recommended width of a support (trellis) for lemongrass, together with above-ground shoots, is 0.3 meters;
4. Young vines need watering and top dressing;
5. Mandatory pruning of Chinese magnolia vine;
6. After entering into fruiting, feeding and watering is limited, preventing the plants from "fatting".

In our article, you will learn about lemongrass Chinese cultivation and care in the open field. Today, it is not so common to meet Chinese magnolia vine in gardeners' and gardeners' plots in Russia, despite the fact that the plant is unpretentious and does not require special care. Our article provides a detailed description of photo plants, as well as information about the technology of growing and caring for Schisandra chinensis. It is enough to follow simple rules in order to get a rich harvest of healthy berries.

What does Chinese lemongrass look like?

(Schisandra chinensis) is a representative of a small variety of the Schisandra family.

Interesting! The plant got its name because of the characteristic smell of lemon peel, which is inherent in leaves and shoots. In addition to this feature, lemongrass has nothing to do with citrus fruits.

In nature, lemongrass has significant overall dimensions. A vine with a climbing stem has a length of about 12-15 m, in the absence of any restrictions. The diameter of the stem is small, it is 2.5-3 cm. The branches are covered with brown bark. Leaf plates have the shape of a wide oval or ovoid, dense to the touch, leathery. On the edges of the leaves there are almost imperceptible teeth. The flowers that appear in spring resemble magnolias made from wax.

Ripe lemongrass berries are bright scarlet in color, have a spherical shape. The fruits are collected by 15-25 pieces in a brush 8-12 cm long and resemble bunches of grapes or red currants. Berries have a pleasant citrus aroma. Each contains 1-2 large seeds. The taste qualities of fruits are extremely specific, since they contain in their composition:

• organic acids;
• resinous and tannins;
• essential oils.

The peel of the berries has a sweet-salty, tart taste. The seeds have a bitter taste, and the juice is sour and astringent.

The yield of the plant is quite high, on average, about 3-5 kg ​​of berries can be harvested from one plant. During the "splash" period, which happens every 3-7 years, the vine brings 1.5-2 times more fruit than usual. A ripe crop is harvested in late summer or early September.

Healthy! Schisandra chinensis belongs to dioecious plants, therefore pollination and subsequent fruiting is possible only if there are plants on the site, both with "male" and "female" flowers.

Common varieties

In nature, from 15 to 23 types of Schisandra chinensis grow. In summer cottages, the following species are most often found:

Watch the video! Lemongrass Chinese planting cultivation care

Landing and transplant

In summer cottages or garden plots, Chinese magnolia vine is also grown not only for fruiting, but also for decoration. In landscape design, the liana is used quite widely. Gazebos, green walls, railings and arches, entwined with stems with foliage and clusters of berries, look very impressive.

The planting time of the plant depends on the region in which the cultivation will be carried out:

• In regions with good climatic conditions (in Ukraine, southern Russia), Schisandra can be planted in September and even in the first half of October. It is this period that is most acceptable, since a sufficient amount of time remains before the onset of frost and the plant can easily adapt to new conditions.
• In areas with a temperate climate - in central Siberia, in the Urals it is recommended to plant a plant in the spring. In the regions of central Russia, lemongrass is planted in late April - early May, it is during this period that the soil warms up to at least 10 degrees. It is necessary to transplant the plant before the appearance of growth buds. In the summer months, lemongrass will be able to form a well-developed root system and prepare for winter.

According to gardeners, several lemongrass seedlings should be planted on the site at the same time, it is best if they are of different varieties, leaving a distance of about 1 meter between them, and the interval between rows should be 2-2.5 meters.

Attention! When placing a vine next to a wall, you should make an indent so that drops of rainwater from the roof do not fall on lemongrass. This can adversely affect the root system of the plant.

You should also allocate a place to place the trellis, otherwise the plant may not bear fruit. Poles 2-3 meters long, arranged in a row, with stretched wire at different heights - the simplest option. As the vine grows, the shoots become attached to it and form a fan-like structure. In a warm climate, lemongrass shoots are not removed from the trellis even in the winter months.

Important! When choosing seedlings, special attention should be paid to the root system. The roots should be well developed, there should be at least 3 roots about 20 cm long. The average height of a 2-3 year old plant is 12-15 cm.

The soil in which lemongrass will be planted should be fertile, loose and light, also well permeable to air and water. It is strictly forbidden to plant in a heavy substrate in which moisture stagnates:

• clayey;
• peat;
• muddy.

The plant tolerates partial shade, shade. The maximum yield from one bush can be harvested when grown in an open, sunny area.

Reference! Schisandra chinensis- a cultivated plant that does not tolerate too wet soil at the roots. When planting a plant, one should take into account the level of groundwater, if they come closer to the surface than 1.5-2 m, then another place should be found for magnolia vine.

The landing pit should be prepared in advance:

• if the plant is planted in the fall, then the pit should be prepared a few weeks before planting;
• and if in the spring - then in the previous season.

A layer of fertile turf that has been removed from the ground must be mixed with:

• humus and compost (20-30 l);
• wood ash (0.5 l);
• superphosphate (120-150 g);
• potassium sulfate (70-90 g).

Everyone falls back into the hole. After that, the recess is covered with a waterproof material so that the rain does not wash away the soil and leave until planting.

Boarding procedure:

Care

Lemongrass care consists in following simple rules, while all the necessary procedures will not take much time from the gardener.

Watering

Lemongrass Chinese refers to moisture-loving plants. The norm for an adult vine is the volume of 60-70 liters of water, while it should be watered 2-3 times a week.

top dressing

With proper preparation of the planting pit, the nutrients contained in the soil will be sufficient for the growth and development of the plant and will last for the next 2 years. Top dressing of lemongrass is recommended starting from the 3rd season of stay on the site.

It is best to use organic fertilizers as fertilizers. Lemongrass grows quite quickly, so it should be watered every 15-20 days with a solution consisting of:

• cow dung;
• bird droppings;
• nettle leaves;
• dandelion.

This mixture should be insisted for 3-4 days, previously diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10, and litter - 1:15. Complex fertilizers are also used (40 g per 1 sq.m), which contain potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen in their composition:

• Nitrophoska;
• Azofoska;
• Diammophos.

Every 2-3 years during the growing season, 25-30 liters of humus or rotted compost are added to the near-stem circle. After the mature fruits are harvested, the plant needs to get enough potassium and phosphorus. For this:

• 40-50 g of superphosphate and potassium sulfate;
• must be diluted in 10 liters of water;
• or distribute in a dry form around the trunk circle while loosening the soil.

You can also use natural top dressing, for this wood ash is suitable, taken in a volume of 0.5-0.7 liters.

Shelter for the winter

It is not necessary to cover lemongrass for the winter in regions with a warm climate. In regions with severe and prolonged frosts, it is worth playing it safe.

First of all, the shoots are unhooked from the trellis and laid out on an area covered with a layer of mulch, 10 cm thick. From above, the plant should be covered with straw, spruce or pine spruce branches, fallen leaves, burlap or covering material that allows air to pass through well. Before this, it is necessary to irrigate, spending 80 liters of water on each plant.

pruning lemongrass

Initially, the pruning of the vines is carried out during planting, later - for the third growing season in the open field. On the vine, it is necessary to leave 5-7 of the strongest and most healthy stems, the rest must be removed to the point of growth. Then pruning is carried out regularly in the spring and autumn months.

After the foliage has fallen, in autumn, it is necessary to carefully remove intertwined, weak, affected and deformed branches. It is also necessary to remove that part of the vine that has not been bearing fruit over the past 3 years. Carrying out this procedure helps to rejuvenate the plant and properly develop new shoots.

15-18 years after planting, the first radical pruning is carried out to rejuvenate the plant. Leave 4-5 healthy and fruitful shoots this year, and the rest are removed.

Reproduction methods

In summer cottages, amateur gardeners propagate the plant most often in a vegetative way. Liana can also be grown from seeds, but the preservation of varietal characteristics is not guaranteed. This process is laborious and will take a significant amount of time.

Watch the video! Propagation of Schisandra chinensis

Vegetative

For vegetative propagation, you can use:

• basal shoots;
• cuttings;
• layering.

1. Lemongrass has a very dense root growth, from which it is just possible to separate a part for planting in another place. It is necessary to dig out the soil in order to separate the "offspring" from the plant very carefully, it is recommended to plant it immediately in the right place. It is necessary to carry out this operation in areas with a warm climate in early spring, or after fruiting. In regions with predominantly low air temperatures, the most suitable time is early March.
2. You can also use root cuttings. The root must be cut into small pieces 7-10 cm long. It should be borne in mind that each seedling should have 2-3 growth points. cuttings before being held landing, it is necessary to hold it wrapped in a napkin moistened with a biostimulant for 2-3 days, after which the seedlings can be planted in open ground or a greenhouse, horizontally, keeping a gap between the cuttings of 10-12 cm. Planting material should not be buried in the ground. After planting, the area should be sprinkled with a layer of humus or rotted compost 2-3 cm thick. The main care for the cuttings is timely watering. Seedlings that sprout must be transferred in the spring to a permanent place.
3. Reproduction by layering is carried out only using green shoots aged 2-3 years. It is best to carry out this procedure in the fall. The non-lignified shoot is bent to the surface of the earth and fixed at a distance of 20-30 cm from the top, after which this place is covered with humus or a layer of fertile soil, watered abundantly. In early spring, a shoot appears. By autumn, the sprout will be strong enough to separate it from the parent bush and transplant it to the right place. You can bend down and sprinkle the entire shoot with earth, so you can get about 5-7 new seedlings, which will be inferior in growth and development to the process obtained by another method.

seeds

The easiest option is to sow lemongrass seeds on prepared beds before winter, immediately after they are harvested.

Advice! Sowing can also be done in the spring, but in this case, the seed is stratified: it is kept for a couple of months on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.

• Sowing is done to a depth of 5 mm, in a container with a prepared mixture of sand and humus, which are taken in equal parts.
• After that, the sowing is covered with paper and watered every day.
• After 1-2 weeks, the first sprouts appear with large cotyledons, similar to cucumber shoots.
• The picking of plants should be carried out in larger boxes according to the scheme 5 × 5 cm after the appearance of 3-4 true leaves.
• In the first half of June, after the temperature has finally settled, seedlings that have previously been hardened can be transplanted into open ground.

Typical diseases and pests

By nature, Chinese magnolia vine has good immunity. The plant can become a victim of the following viruses and diseases:

Chinese lemongrass is not only a decoration of the garden, but also brings very useful fruits that have healing properties. In order for the plant to annually bring a rich harvest of berries saturated with vitamins and trace elements, it does not take much effort. The plant does not have special requirements for agricultural technology, lemongrass successfully adapts and bears fruit under various climatic and weather conditions.

Watch the video! How to grow lemongrass