Lemongrass Chinese planting and care in the fall. Chinese magnolia vine - planting and care When to plant Chinese magnolia vine

Among ornamental plants a lot of those that will appeal to avid 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 Amurskaya Oblast, Khabarovsk and Primorsky Krai, less often it is found on Sakhalin and the islands of the Kuril chain. 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 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. In peaty and sandy soil add clay and enrich the mixture 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 ground water lay 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. Land in southern regions better 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 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. Pour on top nutrient substrate in which the soil is thoroughly mixed with the following ingredients:

• 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, it is important to carry out care in the form of loosening carefully and shallowly, plunging only 2-3 cm into the soil. Lemongrass responds well to fertilizers. Both organic and mineral compositions. 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 he 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 little fruit 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 ˗ very showy plant, which 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. Apart from healing action 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 is a type of perennial liana with beautiful red berries, which serves not only as a decoration for your garden, but also as a supplier of raw materials for the preparation of medical and cosmetic products. A perennial liana with bright foliage and red clusters of berries - Chinese magnolia vine is gaining more and more popularity among domestic gardeners. An unpretentious plant is widely used in medicine and cosmetics. Planting and care operations do not require much experience and effort from flower growers. By planting a plant, you get the opportunity to enjoy its beauty for at least 15 years.

Brief description of berry culture

A climbing tree-like liana with round red fruits of a bitter-sour taste of lemon is a simple description of a plant that came to us from China and the Far East. The Chinese call it the "berry of five tastes" for its rich taste sensations. Subtropical, relic liana belongs to the class of "flowers" and the family "Schizondrovye".

According to the structure of the inflorescence, the liana is similar to magnolias. The homeland of the plant is China, Japan, the Amur region, Primorsky Krai, the islands of the Sakhalin archipelago and the Korean Peninsula. 23 species of tree-like lianas have been studied, but only one species grows in the wild in the country - "Chinese magnolia vine".

root system

The root system of lemongrass is a rhizome covered with many dormant buds, from which separate trunks develop as they grow. The depth of the roots is up to 200 mm, therefore, when leaving, constant loosening of the soil directly near the trunks of the plant is excluded.

Trunks

The thickness of the tree trunk of lemongrass is up to 30 mm, and its maximum height reaches 16-17 m. Liana is fixed on the branches of shrubs or trees and creeps up. When grown on garden plots requires the installation of trellises and poles. The trunk is covered with longitudinal lenticels. The color of the vine changes with the growth and development of the plant. In young, it is glossy with a yellowish tinge of flaky bark. Adult creepers are painted dark - Brown color.

Foliage

The plant is covered with “regular” elliptical leaves. The tops of the foliage are slightly pointed, and the base is wedge-shaped. Leaves grow in several pieces from each petiole, painted brown with a pink tinge. The length of the foliage, depending on the age of the plant, can vary from 50 mm to 100 mm. Width - 30-40 mm.

flowers

Dioecious lemongrass flowers are located on one stem of the vine. The petals are pinkish-white to white in color. They grow from a thin and long pedicel. Blooming liana fills the garden with a pleasant aroma. When growing Schisandra chinensis in Siberia or the Urals, the plant blooms for a short time - in late spring or early summer. After the end of flowering, beautiful bright red fruits grow on the vine.

Lemongrass fruits

The fruits have a spherical shape, painted in red. The tassel, like that of red currants or grapes, is collected in a bundle on one pedicel. The fruiting period in various regions begins at different time, but basically, this is the end of the summer period and the beginning of September. Each plant, under normal climatic conditions And good care, gives up to 3 kg of juicy berries.

Reproduction methods

There are several ways to get a new planting material for lemongrass:

• seeds
• by vegetative propagation

All these methods will require the cultivation of a 3-year-old seedling, followed by transplantation to the place of its permanent growth. We will discuss this issue in more detail in a separate chapter.

reproduction

Let us analyze in more detail the methods of reproduction of Schisandra chinensis at home.

seeds

Before starting work, be sure to pay attention to the expiration date of the seed material and its condition. Overdried seeds do not guarantee even 70% germination. The same applies to old seeds. No mechanical damage and cracks on the seed. A healthy plant will not be able to grow from such seed material.

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The seed method will require planting in the autumn so that the seeds go through the process of natural stratification (cold treatment of the seeds). In the spring, during the first thaws, the seeds will sprout, they will easily germinate through moist and loose soil. If the planting time is transferred to spring, the seeds will need to be stratified in the refrigerator, after soaking them in water with manganese, for 7-8 days.

The water in the tank will need to be changed daily:

1. After the preparatory stage, the seeds are dried and mature, intact seeds are selected from the total mass. Another way to determine the quality of seed material is after soaking, all floating seeds are removed.
2. River sand is treated with high temperature to disinfect it, and placed in containers for seedlings. Seeds are planted, placed in a warm place and constantly moistened. The processing time is 30 days.
3. After the onset of the first cold weather and snowfall, the containers are completely covered with snow or placed in a cold room for the whole winter.
4. Overwintered seeds, upon the onset of a warm period, are planted in a school. To do this, furrows up to 20 mm deep are drawn with a hoe on the loose earth of the selected area. Sprouted seeds are laid, and covered with soddy soil on top. After watering, the bed is covered with a layer of mulch. For this layer, you can use peat, old sawdust or sunflower husks.
5. Now you need to constantly moisten the soil and add a layer of mulch under the growing plant, for 2-3 years. Only after that transplant the seedlings into place.

For the first year

Development in school, plants grow up to 50 mm in height. It is important for them to create optimal conditions for growth. Periodic top dressing, watering and constant loosening of the soil in the aisle, removal of weeds. With the established hot period, it will be necessary to shade the shkolka with seedlings with the help of a thin "Agrospan" or old curtains.

Second year

The main task is the development of the root system and the ground part. This will require the introduction of mineral and organic fertilizers and perform sanitary pruning of damaged or weakened vine stems. The task of the 3rd year is to provide the plant with conditions for its growth in height up to 500 mm. During this period, it is already possible to plant a ready-made strong seedling in a permanent place.

This technique requires a lot of time and attention and does not give 100% confidence that the seedlings will grow strong and healthy. Therefore, the technique is used when growing lemongrass in nurseries.

Vegetative method of obtaining seedlings

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This method allows you to get a finished seedling already in the second year of its growth.. The vegetative technique allows propagation using root cuttings or cuttings.

The best option is planting part of the root mother bush. But if this is not possible, you can ask the neighbors for shoots after sanitary pruning and thinning of the old bush, and prepare a sufficient number of cuttings.

The cuttings are cut so that each has at least 4-5 buds. Two of them are left above the ground, and the rest of the surface of the seedling must be scratched with a fork or other tool and planted in moist soil. The stalk will take root and begin to develop. It is important to provide it with moisture and oxygen. In a year, it will be possible to plant a finished seedling in a prepared place.

Root layer will allow you to plant a finished seedling directly when dividing the bush. To do this, it is enough to cut off the vine bush on one side, carefully clean the rhizome and separate from it a section with at least 3 sleeping buds. A seedling is placed in the prepared planting hole and further work on cultivation and care is carried out according to the main scheme.

Criteria for choosing a variety and planting material

Breeders have released to the market 2 main forms of Schizandra chinensis. There is no unambiguous varietal material.

Here are some popular forms of this plant:

1 "Garden" - undersized plant. Tree vine grows up to 2 m in height. Berries ripen in different dates. Chinese lemongrass in the Moscow region ripens at the end of summer. And Chinese lemongrass in Siberia is harvested in early autumn. Regardless of the region, an adult bush allows you to collect a good harvest of berries, which grow up to 25 pieces on 1 stalk.

2 "Firstborn" - a plant with an increased level of frost resistance. This type of Chinese magnolia vine is successfully grown in the middle lane and in the south of the country. Bushes are undersized, creepers grow up to 2 m. Up to 28 pieces of juicy berries develop on each stem.

When buying seeds, you need to pay attention:

• for the expiration date
• regionalization and regions suitable for planting this type of magnolia vine
• packaging condition and seed quality
• certificate of conformity and environmental safety

If you buy ready-made planting material, first of all, you need to pay attention to several factors:

• on the seedling there should be no mechanical damage to the stem and root system
• the plant should have a healthy appearance. Dried bark, sluggish leaves and roots are signs of a weakened, poorly developed plant.

The best purchase option is seedlings sold in separate cups with a moistened clod of earth on the root system and succulent foliage and stem. Plants with a developed root system take root better, even with insufficient stem height.

Step-by-step instructions for planting a shrub

Lemongrass grows well in a quiet place where there are no drafts and strong winds.

This process is divided into several main steps. Let's analyze each in more detail.

Preparatory work

Choice of landing site

Places for planting Schisandra chinensis are chosen in a calm, without constant drafts and wind. If the site is wet and heavy soil, it will be necessary to additionally drain the soil with a layer of expanded clay or old broken brick.

Most suitable option- a flat surface near the house, in a warm place. It is not recommended to plant a vine directly under trees or shrubs. Lemongrass develops well in partial shade, but the root system of trees will take food and moisture, so the development and growth of the bush will slow down.

The minimum distance to buildings is from 1.5 meters - such an indent will protect the plant from excess moisture flowing down the walls of the building. For the middle lane, it is recommended to plant vines on the western side of the building, and in the southern region - on the eastern side. This is how plants get enough level heat and light and are saved from sunburn in the summer.

The choice of time depending on the method of reproduction

Depending on the region, landing dates vary significantly. If for the southern regions the optimal time is the month of October, then in the Moscow region Chinese magnolia vine is planted in April or even in May with steady heat.

Soil preparation

For a plant, it is required to create familiar conditions, such as in nature. Therefore, preference is given to a flat area with a layer of fertile soil. It is better to increase the drainage layer to 150-200 mm - such care will allow the plant to grow and develop rapidly.

For planting on acidic soils, it will be necessary to additionally perform liming of the soil by adding quicklime to the ground. The introduction of organic matter and mineral fertilizers is carried out directly into the planting hole. To do this, the turf land is mixed in a certain proportion.

Landing

Before landing, it is important to decide on a place. Lemongrass does not like transplants, such a liana will hurt and lag behind in development. Therefore, the place is chosen for a long time and taking into account possible redevelopment of the site. It is recommended to plant plants in beds where all types of vegetables and row crops grew.

The work is carried out in several stages:

1. In selected places, at a distance of at least 1 m, planting pits are dug, 500/500 mm in size and 500-600 mm deep. The depth of the pit depends on the level of moisture in the area and the increased drainage layer.
2. The excavated earth is mixed in equal proportions with humus, manure and river sand. Nitrogen is added to the soil - 40 g, any phosphorus fertilizer up to 150 g per 1 m2. The earth mixes well. The soil should not be lumpy and dry, such pieces can damage the root system. Therefore, the earth is pre-wetted with water and loosened.
3. If a short row of vines is planted, as a decorative hedge, holes are drilled in the outer holes and 2 pipes are clogged. Length, depending on the variety of lemongrass - up to 3 m above ground level. For a long row of plants, intermediate posts will need to be hammered in to make a frame for attaching creeping tall plants.
4. Several rows of strong wire are stretched and fixed on the poles. This work is best done immediately, so as not to damage the young plants later. They will braid the fence themselves, it will only be necessary to slightly adjust the direction of growth of individual vines.
5. At the bottom of the pit, a drainage layer of expanded clay, sand or broken bricks is poured. The minimum thickness of such a layer is 100-150 mm.
6. A mound of prepared soil is poured in the middle of the hole. Of all the seedlings, the strongest are selected. Each plant is cut with a sharp pruner, leaving only three buds. The cut edge is smeared with garden pitch or clay solution. The root system is dipped in a liquid solution of clay mixed with cow dung.
7. The finished seedling is installed on a mound in the hole, each root is carefully straightened and covered with small handfuls of earth, so as not to damage the roots.
8. The earth is not filled up in height by 50-60 mm, it is compacted around the seedling. Up to 30-40 liters of warm water is poured into each hole. The remaining distance in the hole is filled with a layer of peat, sawdust or crushed hardwood bark.

It is not recommended to plant single vines on the site. The best option - there are at least 3-4 adult plants nearby. This planting provides good conditions for growth, increases the yield of bushes and creates an attractive appearance of the site.

The plant is able to pollinate itself on its own, since it is monoecious with the presence of male and female flowers on it. But group planting provides a more efficient pollination process.

The whole process of caring for young and adult vines will not take much time.

Watering and loosening the soil

Only warm water is used. To provide optimal conditions plant growth, you will need to constantly maintain moist and loose soil under the vines. It is impossible to push the ground directly under the stems, as this can damage the high-lying root system. Remove weeds under the bushes only manually, and the soil in the aisle will need to be constantly loosened.

The plant is very fond of dousing the leaves with water, especially during the dry season. It is better to perform the treatment in the early morning or late evening to avoid getting sunburned by the leaves. A weed-free area is recommended to be covered with a layer of crushed oak bark. Such processing will retain moisture and not loosen the soil and make the bed attractive with an additional color tint.

Fertilization

This work begins to be carried out already in the 2nd year of growth of Schizandra chinensis. In early spring, 30-40 g of ammonium nitrate is applied along with a layer of humus mulch, which is mixed with compost.

In the summer months, during flowering and the beginning of fruiting, organic matter is applied with a frequency of treatments at least 1 time in 20 days. Manure is soaked in a separate container for 3-5 days. Then the finished top dressing - 0.5 l is added to a bucket of water. A bucket of the resulting mixture is poured under each bush. For the passage of nutrients to the roots, after supplying moisture, the plant is well filled with warm water.

Year 5 - the beginning of fruiting, will require phosphate fertilizers to be applied in the spring. To prepare the solution, superphosphate 20 g is used. In the fall, they are additionally fed with organic fertilizers.

Seasonal vine pruning

Old and damaged trunks are removed several times during the season

After the 2nd year of plant development, they begin to cut. A maximum of 4-5 shoots are left on each lemongrass. The remaining trunks are carefully cut with a sharp pruner directly near ground level. This operation is carried out in the pre-winter period, after the leaves have fallen.

In the autumn it was not possible to cut the bush, this work will need to be done in early summer. First of all, damaged, frozen shoots are removed. 5 strong sprouts are selected, the rest are cut out.

During the season, several sanitation operations will be required to remove old or damaged trunks. At the same time, the side shoots behind the 12th bud are shortened - this reduces the load on the bush and allows it to prepare for winter.

A 15-year-old plant will have to be rejuvenated. To do this, all the old vines of the bush are removed and 5 young trunks are left.

Regardless of where Chinese magnolia vine is grown, in the Urals or in the southern regions, the plant is not affected by diseases and pests. You can bring the infection only from Primorye or China when buying seedlings in these regions.

A perennial liana with a sharp lemon smell and a fabulously inexhaustible supply of usefulness - all this is schizandra or Chinese magnolia vine, the cultivation and care of which is suburban area will require patience, perseverance and the ability to find mutual language with a naughty pet.

Chinese lemongrass - description

A native of the Far East, the Chinese garden lemongrass belongs to the lemongrass family. It is a large woody plant with a stem up to 15 meters in length. For full-fledged growth and fruiting, lemongrass needs a support, for which it uses bushes and trees growing nearby, twisting them around in a clockwise direction. The leaves are elliptical, pointed, dark green above and light green below. Pale pink flowers with a pleasant aroma appear in May to give way to berry brushes in early June.

In its small berries, Chinese magnolia vine, the cultivation and care of which cannot be called problem-free, is fraught with so many benefits that they more than pay off all labor costs: malic, citric and tartaric acids, essential oils, vitamins C and E, zinc, titanium, iron, molybdenum and calcium. Tinctures and preparations from this plant are used in folk and traditional medicine to treat hormonal disorders, nervous and physical exhaustion, and reproductive problems.

Chinese lemongrass - planting

Growing on a schizander site is possible in several ways, the simplest and most affordable of which is cuttings. As the experience of gardeners from different parts of the post-Soviet space shows, two-three-year-old cuttings of Schisandra chinensis take root well, since they have well-developed roots in small sizes. The landing site must meet the following requirements:

1. Sufficient illumination. Chinese lemongrass loves sunlight, but does not do well in the sun. Therefore, its cultivation takes place better in partial shade, where it will receive sunbathing at least 8 hours a day.
2. Low groundwater. Growing Chinese lemongrass is possible on small hills, where its roots will not be threatened by flooding and decay.
3. Possibility to install a support. Although lemongrass is able to actively develop without support, its presence is an indispensable condition for fruiting. You can also plant this vine near the fence or wall of the house, stepping back about 1.5 meters from it so that the water from the roof does not erode the roots and makes care easy.
4. wind protection. The warm south wind, lemongrass, like other vines, is not terrible. But the winter cold winds are quite capable of putting an end to the cultivation of Chinese magnolia vine, freezing flower and growth buds.

How to plant Chinese lemongrass?

Let us consider in detail how to plant Chinese magnolia vine. For guaranteed fruiting, several cuttings of Chinese lemongrass are planted, the cultivation and care of which begins with the arrangement of a small trench. The seedlings in it will be located at a distance of 1.5 meters from each other, and the depth should be at least 40 cm. For a single planting, a medium-sized hole should be prepared (approximately 50 * 50 * 50 cm). The bottom is covered with a significant layer of drainage - broken brick, expanded clay or pebbles mixed with sand, and then filled with fertile soil.

The cutting is set so that its root collar is level with the edge of the hole. After planting, the seedling is watered and shaded if necessary. The surface of the soil around is covered with a thick layer of organic mulch: humus, or sawdust. As the land dries out, watering is carried out, and in especially arid conditions, spraying. If everything is done correctly, the first step in the care and cultivation of lemongrass can be considered successfully completed.

When to plant Chinese lemongrass?

In the question of whether Chinese lemongrass will take root on the site, planting and care play a paramount role. It also depends a lot on the time of planting: in regions with a warm climate, it is produced in the fall (October), and in more severe weather conditions - in the spring (April). For planting work choose a cool cloudy day. After planting in bright sunny weather, the seedlings will need to be further shaded to protect against burns.

How to grow Chinese lemongrass?

Exotic Chinese lemongrass cultivation and care should receive regular and caring, while remembering the main features of this plant:

1. Fast growth rates. To maintain them, the plant needs a lot of nutrients in the soil and regular abundant watering. So that the vine is not overly thickened, regular pruning should be carried out.
2. The superficial location of the rhizome. The root of Chinese magnolia vine lies at a depth of about 20 cm, so it is better not to loosen the soil around it or do it very carefully.
3. The need for support. Chinese lemongrass, which is grown for harvest, must necessarily rely on a trellis, at least 2 meters high. Without it, the plant will look like a small bush and will not be able to form an ovary.

Chinese garden lemongrass - soil

A gardener who decides to breed Chinese lemongrass at home, first of all, needs to pick up correct composition soil for him. This vine needs loose soil, which is well permeable to water and air, while being saturated with nutrients. Ideal mixture sod land with leaf litter. When planting, it will not be superfluous to add wood ash (500 g) and superphosphate (200 g) to the pit.

Pruning Chinese lemongrass

When pruning Chinese magnolia vine, which cannot be cared for without a regular haircut, the following recommendations should be followed:

1. For the first time, lemongrass is pruned after 2-3 years, when the plant begins to actively build up the aerial part. Of the actively developing shoots, 6-7 of the strongest are selected, all the rest are removed, cut off flush with the ground.
2. Sanitary cleaning is carried out in late autumn, removing all dry and broken shoots, and branches that thicken the crown.
3. Spring pruning is practiced only in the most advanced cases, because this can lead to the death of the plant as a result of sap loss.
4. At the age of 15-20, old shoots are cut off, replacing them with new root shoots.

Chinese lemongrass plant - watering

It is possible to successfully grow Chinese magnolia vine in the country only by bringing its living conditions as close as possible to natural ones - high humidity. An adult vine is watered after the soil has dried, using at least 5-6 buckets of water per plant. In addition to watering, young magnolia vines also include regular showers in care, spraying with warm, settled water. After water procedures, the trunk circle is covered with mulch to conserve moisture in the soil.

How to feed Chinese lemongrass in the garden?

Which Chinese lemongrass will grow and how soon it will please with the first harvest, in addition to care, to a large extent depends on the amount of nutrients in the soil. Since the plant is large, you simply cannot do without regular top dressing:

1. The first top dressing is carried out in early spring in the third year after planting, scattering saltpeter over the soil surface, and then mulching with peat or humus.
2. In the summer, Chinese magnolia vine is fed with an infusion of organic matter (mullein or chicken manure), and before wintering, wood ash (100 g) and superphosphate (20 g) are embedded in the soil.
3. Creepers that have come into fruition are fed throughout the season: nitrophos in the spring, droppings or manure in the summer and potassium sulfate with superphosphate in the fall.

How to propagate Chinese lemongrass?

Lemongrass chinese breeding allows by any means: seeds, cuttings and shoots. In the latter case, you should simply bend the young growth that has appeared to the ground in early spring, pin it and carefully sprinkle it with loose fertile soil. After 4-5 months, its own root system is formed, after which the process can be cut off from the mother liana and relocated to a permanent place. For cuttings, tops cut from young shoots are used, rooting them in a shkolka, and then planting them in a permanent place.

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 Chinese lemongrass - unpretentious plant, nothing supernatural from the gardener is required. 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. Petioles rather short, colored in various shades 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.

Looks nice and flowering plant. 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 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 use seeds and dried lemongrass fruits. 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. Lemongrass Chinese is forbidden to be used by pregnant women and children under 12 years old, as well as those who suffer from vegetovascular dystonia, any allergies, chronic insomnia, high intracranial pressure, 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. special attention the culture is also not used by 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 recent achievements 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

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 if 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.

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. Correct weight The consistency is like 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 rather quickly, but for the first 2-3 weeks it is desirable to protect it from direct sun rays 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 very useful for young plants planted in the garden this year.

If there is a technical possibility, Chinese magnolia vine 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 liana 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. Preliminarily, it is necessary to carry out moisture-charging irrigation, spending on mature plant about 80 liters of water.

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 are formed 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 needed for proper development new shoots and plant rejuvenation.

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 propagation

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

1. As a rule, Schisandra chinensis gives basal shoots in abundance. This method of reproduction is provided by nature itself. It is only necessary to carefully excavate the soil, separate the "offspring" from an adult plant and immediately plant it in the chosen place. In regions with a warm climate, the procedure is carried out both in early spring and after fruiting. Where it does not differ in softness, the only suitable time is the beginning of March.

   Basal propagation is the easiest way to get a new Chinese magnolia vine

2. You can also use root cuttings. The root is cut into pieces 7-10 cm long. Each should have 2-3 growth points. The planting material is kept for 2–3 days, wrapped in a napkin moistened with a solution of any biostimulant, then planted horizontally in open ground or a greenhouse, maintaining a distance of about 10–12 cm between the cuttings. They are not buried in the soil, sprinkled with a layer of humus or rotted 2–3 cm thick compost. Cutting care is mostly regular watering. Those of them that will give shoots are transferred to a permanent place next spring.
3. For propagation by layering, only non-lignified green shoots at the age of 2–3 years are used. The procedure is carried out in the fall. The branch is bent to the ground, fixed at a distance of 20-30 cm from the top, this place is covered with humus or fertile soil, watered abundantly. In the spring, a new layer should appear. By autumn, it will be strong enough, it can be separated from the mother plant and transplanted to a permanent place. You can bend to the ground and cover the entire shoot with soil. Then he will give not one, but 5-7 new seedlings. But they will be far from being as powerful and developed.

   Reproduction by layering - a method used not only for Chinese magnolia vine, but also for most berry bushes

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 is used soda ash(10-15 g per 10 liters 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.
A plant affected by Fusarium seems to wither and die without any apparent reason The development of ascochitosis is facilitated by damp and cool weather in summer, as well as an excess of nitrogen in the soil. Fungicides of biological origin are used to combat ramulariasis.

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.

Schisandra chinensis (lat. Schisandra chinensis) is a species of the genus Limonnik of the Limonnikovye family, found in the wild on the edges and clearings of coniferous-deciduous and deciduous forests, in narrow valleys of streams and mountain rivers, in old burnt areas and clearings in Korea, Japan, China and the Russian territory of the Far East. It grows in groups, forming thickets and climbing mountains to a height of up to 600 m above sea level. Chinese magnolia vine has been grown in culture for a very long time: for medicinal purposes, it began to be cultivated at least 250 years before our era.

Planting and caring for Schisandra chinensis (in brief)

• Bloom: from the fifth or sixth year of life in late May or early July. Flowering lasts about two weeks.
• Landing: in October or late April-early May.
• Lighting: bright sunlight or partial shade.
• The soil: light, rich in humus, moderately moist and drained.
• Watering: frequent and plentiful: 6-7 buckets of water are poured under each bush.
• Top dressing: from the third season, 1 time in 2-3 weeks, organic fertilizer is applied to the trunk circle - a solution of chicken manure or mullein. The trunk space is mulched with a layer of humus or leaf compost. In autumn, 20 g of superphosphate and 100 g of wood ash are embedded in the soil under each plant to a depth of 10 cm.
• Garter: the trellis on which this vine is grown is installed immediately after planting. When the liana is located near the wall of the building, it is allowed along a ladder installed obliquely to the wall.
• Pruning: from the third year after planting, formative pruning begins, which is carried out in the fall, after leaf fall. Unnecessary basal processes are also removed.
• Reproduction: seeds, root cuttings and shoots.
• Pests: is not struck.
• Diseases: powdery mildew, ramularia, ascochitosis and fusarium.
• Properties: is a valuable medicinal plant.

Read more about growing Schisandra chinensis below.

Schisandra chinensis - description

The plant is a climbing deciduous vine up to 15 m long with a trunk up to 2.5 cm in diameter and shoots covered with brown-brown bark, flaky on old ones, and shiny and smooth on young ones. Both shoots and leaves of lemongrass have a characteristic citrus aroma, from which the plant gets its name.

Lemongrass leaves are dense, obovate or elliptical, with a wedge-shaped base and few and implicit teeth along the edges. The leaves are connected with shoots by pink or red petioles up to 3 cm long. In spring and summer, the upper part of the leaf plate is light green, shiny, bare, and the lower part is bluish, with pubescence along the veins. In autumn, the leaves of Schisandra chinensis turn yellow-orange and ocher-yellow.

Fragrant waxy white dioecious flowers up to 2 cm in diameter on drooping pedicels are arranged in 3-5 pieces in the axils of the leaves. Composite cyst-like fruit up to 10 cm long consists of edible spherical two-seeded berries of red color and sour taste. The berries of Chinese magnolia vine also have a plant-specific odor. Reniform seeds of Schizandra chinensis remain viable only until spring.

Planting Schisandra chinensis

When to plant Schisandra chinensis

Growing and caring for Chinese magnolia vine is carried out not only for medicinal purposes, but also to decorate the site, since the plant has high decorative qualities. In areas with a warm, mild climate, lemongrass is planted in October, and in the middle lane, planting is done in late April or early May. Professionals recommend planting at least three plants at once at a distance of 1m from each other. If you want to grow a vine near the house, step back from the wall 1-1.5 m so that water from the roof does not drip onto the lemongrass.

How to plant Schisandra chinensis

Lemongrass prefers light but humus-rich, moist and well-drained soil. The plant is shade tolerant, but will thrive in a well-lit area.

Two-three-year-old seedlings are used as planting material, in which, with a shoot height of only 10-15 cm, the root system is well developed. Before planting, the taller shoots of the seedling are shortened to 3 buds, and the roots are cut to 20-25 cm.

A landing pit for Chinese magnolia vine is dug with a diameter of 60-70 cm and a depth of at least 40 cm. A drainage layer of expanded clay, broken brick or crushed stone 10 cm thick is laid on the bottom, and a soil mixture is prepared from equal parts of humus, leaf compost and sod to fill the pit. land, adding 200 g of superphosphate, half a kilogram of wood ash to it and mixing thoroughly. Before planting, a soil mixture is poured onto the drainage layer.

Dip the roots of the seedling in a clay mash, on a bucket of which you should add 1 liter of mullein, and place the plant on a mound so that its root collar is at the level of the surface after planting. Spread the roots of lemongrass and fill the hole with prepared fertile soil. Then tamp the soil in the near-stem circle and water it abundantly, and when the water is absorbed, cover the root hole with humus or peat. Schisandra chinensis seedlings take root very quickly, but it is desirable to protect them from the bright sun at first, to ensure regular watering and evening spraying in dry weather.

Chinese lemongrass care

Growing Schisandra chinensis

Planting and caring for Schizandra chinensis is not laborious and will not take you much time. The main care measures are watering, loosening the soil, removing weeds, top dressing, spraying in prolonged dry heat and pruning.

During the growing season, lemongrass is watered often and plentifully: 6-7 buckets of water are poured under the plant at a time. The next day after moistening or rain, you need to loosen the soil around the vine and remove weeds. Do not neglect the evening spraying of Chinese magnolia vine in the heat. Especially young vines need this procedure. To prevent rapid evaporation of moisture from the soil, it is best to always keep the trunk circle under a mulch of organic material.

They start feeding Chinese magnolia vine from the third year of life: during spring and summer, once every two to three weeks, a solution of organic fertilizers is applied to the soil - cow (1:10) or chicken (1:20) droppings. A good result is the mulching of the near-stem circle of Chinese magnolia vine with humus or leaf compost. After leaf fall, 100 g of wood ash and 20 g of superphosphate are added under each bush, followed by embedding to a depth of about 10 cm, followed by mandatory subsequent watering of the soil in the near-stem circle.

Fruiting vines during the flowering period are fed with Nitrophoska at the rate of 50 g per m², and after flowering, a solution of fermented mullein or bird droppings is poured under the plant. In autumn, 60 g of superphosphate and 30-40 g of potassium sulfate are scattered under the bushes, and 1 time in 2-3 years, compost is placed under each plant to a depth of 6-8 cm at the rate of 4-5 kg ​​per m².

Schisandra chinensis, since it is a liana, is grown on a trellis, which is installed in the year of planting. This arrangement of branches and shoots allows the sun's rays to better illuminate the plant, and this contributes to the formation of larger fruits and an increase in yield. If you grow lemongrass without support, it is unlikely to bear fruit. The trellis is made of pillars of such a height that, after digging in to a depth of 60 cm, they rise 2-2.5 m above the ground. The distance between the pillars is about 3 m, and they are connected together by three rows of horizontal wire guides, the lower of which is pulled a height of 50 cm from the ground, and the next every 70-100 cm. In the first year, the overgrown shoots are tied to the lower guide, and in the subsequent ones - to those located above. Shoots are fixed on a support with a fan. For the winter, Chinese magnolia vine is not removed from the trellis.

If you are planting a vine near the house, then you can use an inclined ladder installed as a support.

Pruning of lemongrass begins in the third year after planting, when the development of its root system is replaced by increased growth of shoots. From correct pruning depends not only on the decorative effect of Schizandra chinensis, but also on the quality of its fruiting. At the first formative pruning, from 3 to 6 of the strongest and most correctly located shoots are left on the bush - the future skeleton of the plant, and the rest of the shoots are cut out at ground level. In the future, Chinese magnolia vine is pruned twice a year: in autumn and summer. In autumn, after all the leaves have fallen from the plant, weak, diseased, improperly growing and dried shoots that have formed over the summer are cut out. The part of the vine that has been actively bearing fruit for the past three years should also be removed. This is done so that the young shoots of the vine can develop and produce crops.

In summer, lemongrass is pruned only if the plant has formed too many young shoots. Professionals advise cutting branches 10-12 buds from the edge. In addition, you need to deal with root offspring every year, as well as regularly replace old skeletal branches with new strong shoots from root shoots.

Pests and diseases of Schisandra chinensis

Lemongrass has good immunity and, subject to agricultural technology and good care, is very rarely affected by diseases. It is also resistant to pests. However, if you got infected planting material, you need to be prepared to confront diseases. Most often, lemongrass is affected by spotting, powdery mildew and Fusarium wilt.

From the spots of lemongrass chinensis amaze ramulariasis And ascochitosis. Brown blurry spots and edges on the leaves are the main signs of these diseases. Black dots may appear on the underside of the leaf plate - pycnidia of the fungus. Sick leaves must be removed and burned, and the vine should be treated with one percent Bordeaux liquid or another copper-based fungicide.

powdery mildew covers the leaves and stems of the plant with a sloppy whitish coating. As a result of the development of the disease, lemongrass leaves fall prematurely. Powdery mildew also affects the shoots, buds and roots of Schisandra chinensis. If its symptoms are detected, all affected leaves must be removed, and the plant should be treated with sulfur powder and a solution of soda ash until the vine recovers. The intervals between treatments are 7-10 days.

Fusarium can hit lemongrass at any age, but more often this trouble happens with young plants. The cause of the disease is, as a rule, infection of the planting material. Wilting is manifested by the formation of rotting areas on the root collar and roots of the plant. The stalks of lemongrass darken, become thinner, the leaves turn yellow and fall off, and the vine dies from blockage of blood vessels. It is impossible to cure Chinese magnolia vine from Fusarium, but it is quite possible to prevent the development of the disease if the seeds and seedlings are treated with a fungicide solution before sowing and planting, and the soil with Trichodermin. If the plant is still sick, it will have to be removed and burned, and healthy bushes, until they become infected, should be treated with a solution of potassium permanganate.

Schisandra chinensis in the suburbs

Schisandra chinensis in the Moscow region has long been a rarity, like Chinese magnolia vine in the Urals, since the plant normally tolerates even harsh winters down to -35 ºC, and the decorative and healing qualities of this crop, as well as unpretentiousness in care, make the Far Eastern liana more and more popular among gardeners - lovers. In the middle lane, Chinese magnolia vine for the winter does not need to be laid on the ground or covered; only young plants need protection from the cold, and then only in the first winter. But in the conditions of Siberian frosts, the lashes are carefully removed from the trellis, placed on a spread spruce branch or straw and sprinkled abundantly on top with leaves, straw, or covered with spruce branches.

Propagation of Schisandra chinensis

Chinese magnolia vine propagates by seeds, shoots and root cuttings, however, all the properties of the mother plant are preserved only during vegetative propagation.

Propagation of Schisandra chinensis by seeds

The easiest way is to sow lemongrass seeds on prepared beds before winter immediately after they are harvested. It is possible to sow in the spring, but in this case the seeds are stratified: they are kept in the bottom drawer of the refrigerator for two months. There is a very effective method of preparing seeds for sowing, developed by professionals: they are stored in fruits until January, then they are washed from pulp, put in a nylon stocking and placed under constantly flowing water. At home, the seeds in the stocking can be kept in the toilet flush tank so that they end up in fresh, clean water after each flush. Four days later, the seeds are squeezed out, placed directly in a stocking in a container with wet calcined sand and kept at a temperature of 18-20 ºC for a month, after which the container with the seeds is buried in the snow for stratification. A month later, the seeds are brought into a room with a temperature of 10 ºC and observed: after a week or two, they begin to crack, and then they can be sown to a depth of 5 mm in boxes with a mixture of sand and humus in equal parts. Crops are covered with paper and watered daily. Shoots with large cotyledons, similar to cucumber sprouts, will appear in 1-2 weeks. Seedling care consists in protection from direct sunlight, watering and 1-2 treatments with a weak solution of potassium permanganate to prevent black leg and other fungal diseases. At the stage of development of 3-4 true leaves, the seedlings dive into larger boxes according to the 5x5 cm scheme, and in early June, after the heat is finally established, the hardened seedlings of Schisandra chinensis can be planted in open ground in partial shade. The feeding area of ​​one plant is 10x10 cm². Protect seedlings from too strong sun, and with the onset of autumn, cover them with spruce branches or a thick layer of foliage. In a permanent place, Chinese magnolia vine is planted from seeds at the age of two to three years.

Reproduction of Schisandra chinensis shoots

The most effective method of reproduction is transplanting shoots. Liana is literally surrounded by many shoots on which dormant buds are located. The offspring are separated from the bush and immediately transplanted to a permanent place. In the southern regions, this can be done before the start of sap flow and after leaf fall, and in the northern regions - only in early spring.

Reproduction of lemongrass by root cuttings

Pieces of roots 5 to 10 cm long with several dormant buds are cut from the rhizome and, so that the overgrown roots do not dry out, the segments are immediately sprinkled with moist soil or covered with a wet napkin. Then the root cuttings are planted in a garden bed or in a cold greenhouse according to the 10x10 scheme and covered with a layer of fertile soil 2-3 cm thick. Planting care consists in regular watering. In the spring of next year, the cuttings that have sprouted are planted in a permanent place.

Varieties of Schisandra chinensis

Unfortunately, there are not so many varieties of Chinese magnolia vine. Currently, the most famous of them are:

• Garden-1- a self-pollinating highly productive winter-hardy variety, the branches of which reach a length of 10 m. The fruits of the Chinese magnolia vine of this variety consist of spherical juicy and sour red berries with a lemon smell, collected in racemes up to 10 cm long;
• Mountain- winter-hardy and productive variety of medium ripening, relatively resistant to diseases and pests. Seed fruit up to 9 cm long and weighing up to 13 g consists of 15-17 dark red berries of bitter-sour taste;
• Volgar- winter-hardy, drought-resistant, practically not affected by diseases and pests, lemongrass of late ripening and universal purpose. It is a monoecious vine with fruits weighing up to 7.3 g, consisting of 14-15 round red fruitlets of a sour taste with a resinous aroma;
• firstborn- frost-resistant and resistant to diseases and pests, a medium-term ripening variety of Russian selection with carmine-red fruits with juicy bright red pulp, a specific sour taste and lemon aroma;
• Myth – hybrid variety of unknown origin with medium length fruitlets, consisting of 15 red fruitlets with a pleasant sour taste.

Properties of Schisandra chinensis - harm and benefit

Medicinal properties of Chinese magnolia vine

For medicinal purposes, mostly the fruits and seeds of the plant are used. The fruits of Schizandra chinensis contain resinous substances, schisandrin, potassium, organic acids (malic, citric and tartaric), vitamins, mineral salts, trace elements copper, iodine, selenium, manganese, iron, zinc, essential oil.

The beneficial properties of this species were known in ancient China and the plant was actively used in pharmacology. Today Schisandra chinensis is grown in industrial scale. The berries of the plant have the ability to tone up and stimulate the nervous system, so Nanai hunters, setting off on a journey, take a handful of dried fruits with them. And not so long ago, tests involving military personnel and athletes showed that lemongrass has the ability to relieve fatigue during strong physical exertion: only 2-5 berries of Chinese magnolia vine have a stronger effect than phenamine or cola, but, unlike these stimulants, they do not give negative side effects. Schisandra chinensis berries are also shown to those who are engaged in intense mental work, and it is very important that their tonic effect does not deplete nerve cells.

Lemongrass preparations increase the body's resistance to diseases and adverse effects environment, stimulate the respiratory system and the work of the heart muscle. Often they are prescribed in the complex treatment of diseases caused by asthenic and depressive states. It is indicative that as a result of taking Schisandra chinensis preparations, there were never any signs of overexcitation.

Fresh juice of lemongrass berries is able to restrain the development of many pathogens. The high efficiency of the treatment of chronic gastritis with plant seeds has been proven: even a single dose of powder from the seeds of Schisandra chinensis led to the normalization of gastric acidity in patients suffering from either too high or too low of its level.

Summing up, we can say that Chinese magnolia vine gives a positive effect:

• with a general decline in strength;
• with high mental or physical stress;
• with low blood pressure;
• with bronchitis, asthma and tuberculosis;
• with anemia;
• with sexual weakness;
• in diseases of the stomach, kidneys and liver.

Schisandra chinensis - contraindications

Schisandra chinensis, like others medicinal plants, has its own contraindications. You can not eat its berries, drink its juice and take plant preparations under the following conditions and pathologies:

• vegetative-vascular dystonia;
• allergy;
• epilepsy;
• pregnancy;
• increased excitability;
• arterial hypertension;
• insomnia;
• arachnoiditis;
• increased intracranial pressure;
• acute infectious disease.