Growing lemongrass. Chinese lemongrass and the best recommendations for growing it

Schisandra chinensis is a plant that is used in folk medicine and has many useful properties. This vine can be grown independently if you have your own plot; lemongrass is extremely unpretentious plant, which doesn't need too much attention. It is worth considering the principles of growing and caring for Schisandra chinensis and what problems you may encounter when planting this plant yourself.

Description of the plant

Schisandra chinensis is a vine that is often used for decorative purposes on suburban areas. In nature, the vine wraps around tree trunks and shrubs; the plant can reach five meters in length. Therefore, the plant can only be grown next to any support, for example, a wall, hedge or artificial hedge, otherwise the lemongrass will not grow and please the eye.

Externally, lemongrass is a wrinkled, thin stem with a large number of branches on which small green leaves grow.
Usually this vine blooms, small white flowers appear on the stem.
Schisandra may produce fruits - small clusters of red berries. When the berries or leaves are rubbed, a fairly pronounced citrus, lemon smell arises.
The berries are edible, but they have a slightly bitter, sour taste.

In the wild, this plant is usually found in Asian countries, Sakhalin, Khabarovsk, Primorsky territories, and Eastern Siberia. This plant is not usually found in the Urals. The liana grows in mixed forests; lemongrass needs soils rich in various organic substances. At the same time, when grown independently, the plant does not require particularly complex care. It is also worth noting that for medicinal purposes, lemongrass is grown on specialized plantations.

Schisandra should not be grown as house plant. In an ordinary city apartment or house, the vine will not feel good; the plant will constantly lack space. Therefore, it is worth growing it exclusively in nature so that the vine grows fully and does not die in the end.

Important! The plant will not bear fruit if grown without suitable support.

In general, Schisandra chinensis is usually not grown at home for medicinal purposes; it is planted to decorate a summer cottage and for other decorative purposes. At the same time, lemongrass is rich in various vitamins and other useful elements; products based on it have pronounced tonic properties. However, it is best to purchase Schisandra-based medications in pharmacies rather than making them yourself, if possible.

Healing properties

Due to the high content of vitamins, medicines based on schisandra help to avoid vitamin deficiency; it can be used to treat scurvy and other similar diseases. Schisandra helps restore weakened immunity.

Also, plant-based products tone the body, increase and stabilize blood pressure, help with symptoms of anemia, and help fight constant fatigue. In addition, lemongrass has a positive effect on the body in various disorders of the nervous system; it helps fight the effects of stress, neuroses, and other conditions of a similar nature.

However, before starting to use products based on this plant, it is advisable to consult a doctor. Schisandra has a number of contraindications; this plant cannot always be used as an auxiliary treatment for various diseases.

Important! The vine almost always gives off a pleasant citrus smell, which can be especially pronounced during the flowering period of the plant.

Landing

When to plant Schisandra chinensis? Typically, planting of this plant begins in late April - early May. For planting, you need to choose a well-lit place; it is important that there is sun there for at least 6 - 8 hours during the day. The landing site must be protected from the cold, strong wind. Planting in autumn is possible only in the southern regions, where high air temperatures persist longer.

This plant is planted in open ground. Liana loves neutral, slightly acidic soils filled with various organic substances. The depth of the roots is usually 10–15 centimeters, and the hole for the seedling must be made at least forty centimeters deep. The bottom should be filled with drainage - expanded clay, broken brick, crushed stone.

It is recommended to plant several seedlings in a row; usually three seedlings are offered at a distance of a meter from each other. Thus, the lemongrass vines will not interfere with each other; after a few years of the plant’s life, they will most likely begin to intertwine and form one whole. Do not forget about suitable support; it can be shrubs, trees, the wall of a house, or gazebos.

After planting the plant, the soil should be covered with humus, this will help the plant to take root well. At the same time, the first time after planting, caring for the vine is the easiest; you just need to loosen the soil occasionally and spray it with water in dry weather. In most cases, the plant takes root quite quickly and easily without any problems.

It is recommended to grow this plant on a trellis to ensure maximum support for young shoots. After installation, the trellises should rise above the ground by 2 - 3 meters, this optimal height for them. Moreover, if planting is carried out near the house, instead of trellises, you can use ladders running at an angle.

Growing from lemongrass seeds is not usually practiced, best way propagation of this plant is a vegetative method, through cuttings and shoots. Plant in open ground Only full-fledged shoots, ready for this, are worth it.

Caring for lemongrass in the country

Caring for lemongrass is extremely simple; it is not difficult even for novice gardeners. To make the foliage of this vine more luxuriant, it begins to be additionally fed in April. Typically, saltpeter and humus are used, then every two weeks they begin to add liquid organic matter, for example, chicken droppings.

In the fall, superphosphate and wood ash are added to the plant, taking 20 grams of the first and 100 grams of the second. In autumn, fertilizing should begin after leaf fall. These are the basic rules for fertilizing Chinese lemongrass.

Lianas begin to bloom about three years after the plant is planted in the ground, 5–6 years from the beginning of the plant’s life. After a few years, the most productive period begins; lemongrass produces the most fruit.

Since this plant usually lives in humid climates, it requires a sufficient amount of liquid for its normal growth. In hot weather, vines must be sprayed warm water, for watering one seedling should require several liters of water. Adult plants need to be watered at the rate of six liters per vine.

Trimming

It is also important to prune the vine correctly; they begin to do this two to three years after planting, when the vine is already beginning to bloom. At this point, intensive root growth stops, and the above-ground part of Schisandra begins to fully develop. Of all the emerging shoots, up to three are usually left; all the rest must be completely cut off at soil level.

The vine is usually pruned in the fall, after leaf fall, but if there are a lot of shoots, this can be done earlier - in July or August. You need to look at the degree of thickening of the vine. If you prune a plant in spring or winter, there is a possibility that the vine will dry out, since at this time the active release of juice may begin during pruning. At the same time root shoots cut in spring.

Plants are usually sanitized as needed; dry branches must be removed, shoots that are too long, broken shoots and branches that thicken the crown too much should also be removed.

In our article you will learn about Schisandra chinensis growing and caring for it in open ground. Today you can meet Chinese lemongrass on the plots of gardeners and gardeners in Russia not so often, despite the fact that the plant is unpretentious and does not require special care. Our article provides a detailed description with photo plants, as well as information on 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 Limonaceae family.

Interesting! The plant received its name because of the characteristic smell of lemon zest, which is inherent in the leaves and shoots. Apart from 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, without any restrictions. The diameter of the stem is small, 2.5-3 cm. The branches are covered with bark brown. The leaf blades have the shape of a wide oval or ovoid, are dense and leathery to the touch. There are almost invisible teeth on the edges of the leaves. The flowers that appear in the spring resemble magnolias made of wax.

Ripe lemongrass berries are bright scarlet in color and have a spherical shape. The fruits are collected in 15-25 pieces in clusters 8-12 cm long and resemble bunches of grapes or red currants. The berries have a pleasant citrus aroma. Each contains 1-2 large seeds. The taste of the fruit is extremely specific, since it contains:

organic acids;
resins and tannins;
essential oils.

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

The productivity of the plant is quite high; on average, about 3-5 kg of berries can be collected from one plant. During the “burst” period, which happens once every 3-7 years, the vine bears 1.5-2 times more fruit than usual. The mature harvest is harvested in late summer or early September.

Healthy! Schisandra chinensis is a dioecious plant, so pollination and subsequent fruiting is possible only if there are plants on the site with both “male” and “female” flowers.

Common varieties

From 15 to 23 species of Schisandra chinensis grow in nature. The following species can most often be found in summer cottages:

Watch the video! Schisandra chinensis planting cultivation care

Planting and transplanting

At country houses or garden plots Schisandra chinensis is also grown not only for fruiting, but also for decoration. Liana is used quite widely in landscape design. Gazebos, green walls, railings and arches entwined with stems with foliage and bunches of berries look very impressive.

The time for planting a plant depends on the region in which the cultivation will take place:

In regions with good climatic conditions(in Ukraine, southern Russia), you can plant lemongrass in September and even in the first half of October. This period is the most appropriate, since there is enough time left before the onset of frost and the plant can easily adapt to new conditions.
In areas with a temperate climate - V central Siberia , in the Urals it is recommended to plant the 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 growth buds appear. In the summer months, lemongrass will be able to form a well-developed root system and prepare for winter.

According to reviews from gardeners, several schisandra 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 the vine next to the wall, you should make an indentation so that drops of rainwater from the roof do not fall on the lemongrass. This can negatively affect the plant's root system.

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

Important! When choosing seedlings, you should pay special attention to the root system. The roots should be well developed, there should be at least 3 roots about 20 cm long. Average height 2-3 year old plant – 12-15 cm.

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

clayey;
peat;
silty.

The plant tolerates partial shade and shade well. Maximum yield can be collected from one bush 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, you should take into account the groundwater level; if it comes closer to the surface than 1.5-2 m, then you should find another place for the lemongrass.

You should prepare the planting hole in advance:

if the plant is planted in the fall, then the hole should be prepared several weeks before planting;
and if in the spring - then in the previous season.

The 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 pours back into the pit. After that, the recess is covered with waterproof material so that rain does not erode the soil and is left until planting.

Boarding procedure:

Care

Caring for lemongrass consists of following simple rules, and all the necessary procedures will not take much time from the gardener.

Watering

Schisandra chinensis is a moisture-loving plant. The norm for an adult vine is a volume of 60-70 liters of water, and it should be watered 2-3 times a week.

Top dressing

With proper preparation of the hole for planting, nutrients, which are contained in the soil, will be sufficient for the growth and development of the plant and will be enough for the next 2 years. It is recommended to fertilize lemongrass starting from the 3rd season of being on the site.

It is best to use organic matter as fertilizer. Schisandra 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 infused for 3-4 days, having previously been diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10, and the litter - 1:15. Complex fertilizers are also used (40 g per 1 sq.m.), which contain potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen:

Nitrophoska;
Azofoska;
Diammophos.

Every 2-3 years during the growing season, 25-30 liters of humus or rotted compost are added to the tree trunk circle. After the ripe fruits are harvested, the plant needs to receive sufficient amounts of potassium and phosphorus. To do this:

40-50 grams of superphosphate and potassium sulfate;
must be diluted in 10 liters of water;
or distribute dry over the tree trunk while loosening the soil.

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

Shelter for the winter

There is no need to cover lemongrass for the winter in regions with warm climates. In regions with severe and prolonged frosts, it is worth being 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. The plant should be covered on top 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 water, spending 80 liters of water on each plant.

Pruning lemongrass

Initially, pruning of the vine is carried out during planting, later - in the third season of growth in open ground. It is necessary to leave 5-7 of the strongest and healthiest stems on the vine, the rest must be removed to the point of growth. Pruning is then carried out regularly during the spring and autumn months.

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

15-18 years after planting, the first radical pruning is carried out to rejuvenate the plant. Leave 4-5 healthy shoots that bear fruit this year, and remove the rest.

Reproduction methods

In summer cottages, amateur gardeners propagate the plant most often by vegetative means. Liana can also be grown from seeds, but preservation of varietal characteristics is not guaranteed. This process is labor-intensive 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.

Schisandra has very dense root shoots, from which a part can be separated for planting in another place. It is necessary to dig up the soil in order to separate the “scion” from the plant very carefully; it is recommended to immediately plant it in the right place. This operation should be carried out 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.
You can also use root cuttings. The root must be cut into small pieces 7-10 cm long. It should be taken into account that each seedling must have 2-3 growth points. Cuttings before being carried out landing, it is necessary to keep 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 of 10-12 cm between cuttings. Planting material should not be buried in the ground. After planting, you should sprinkle the area with a layer of humus or rotted compost 2-3 cm thick. The main care for cuttings is timely watering. Seedlings that produce shoots must be transferred to permanent place.
Reproduction by layering is carried out only using green shoots 2-3 years old. 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 cover with humus or a layer of fertile soil and water abundantly. At the beginning of 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 soil, this way you can get about 5-7 new seedlings, which will be inferior in growth and development to the shoot obtained by another method.

Seeds

The simplest option is to sow lemongrass seeds in prepared beds before winter, immediately after harvesting them.

Advice! Sowing can also be done in the spring, but in this case the seed is stratified: 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 which the crops are covered with paper and watered every day.
After 1-2 weeks, the first shoots with large cotyledons appear, similar to cucumber shoots.
Plants should be picked into larger boxes according to a 5x5 cm pattern 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, Schisandra chinensis has good immunity. The plant can become a victim of the following viruses and diseases:

Chinese lemongrass is not only a decoration for the garden, but also brings very useful fruits that have healing properties. In order for the plant to annually produce a rich harvest of berries, rich in vitamins and microelements, you do not need to make a lot of effort. The plant has no special requirements for agricultural technology; lemongrass successfully adapts and bears fruit under different climatic and weather conditions.

Watch the video! How to grow lemongrass

Chinese lemongrass is still a rare guest in the garden plots of Central Russia. This plant is not known to every gardener, but it is worthy of attention due to its combination of beauty and benefits. In this article we will tell you about growing Schisandra chinensis and provide information on how to propagate it.

Origin and botanical characteristics of lemongrass

By its origin, Chinese lemongrass has nothing to do with lemon. This plant belongs to the Schisandaceae family of the order Austrobailiaceae and is genetically closer to star anise or magnolia. Chinese Schisandra is naturally resistant to low temperatures. According to the observations of gardeners, it can withstand frosts down to -40⁰C.

It was named “Schisandra” for the acidity of the berries and the aroma of the leaves, reminiscent of lemon. In China, this plant was called “berry of five flavors.” Schisandra actually has a very complex fruit taste. Through the acid you can feel sweetness, saltiness, bitterness, and a slight pine astringency.

Chinese lemongrass is a long-liver and actively bears fruit even at the age of 15-20 years.

In general, Chinese lemongrass is characterized by the following characteristics:

Sign	Description
Life form	Deciduous tree-like vine, twining around the support in a clockwise direction. The length of the shoots is from 4 to 15 meters. The leaf blades are wide, elliptical, bright green. On the underside of the leaf there is pubescence along the veins.
Root system	Superficial, growing widely - 2-3 meters.
Bloom	There are plants with 4 types of flower buds: female, male, mixed and alternating (one year the plant blooms predominantly with the female type, the next - with the male type). Flowers with white waxy petals and a pleasant aroma. They bloom in May-June. Flowering duration is up to 14 days. The plant is bee pollinated.
Fruiting	Fruits on two-year-old wood. The fruit is a multi-berry. The berries are juicy and bright red. Ripens in the middle zone by mid-September. The fruits can overwinter on the plant.

Optimal conditions for growing Chinese lemongrass

Based on this, we can draw conclusions about the optimal conditions for growing Chinese lemongrass on the site:

A place with partial shading is the western or eastern side of a building or slope.
Having a strong support.
Good hydration, but without stagnation of moisture.
Fertile, drained, porous soil.

Tip #1. Chinese lemongrass tolerates shade, but only bears fruit if there is sufficient sun. It needs to be planted so that the root part is in the shade and the tops of the shoots are in the sun.

Vegetative propagation of Chinese Schisandra

A characteristic feature of Chinese lemongrass is the ability to produce shoots from buds at the root collar and from adventitious roots. Therefore, the simplest and in a reliable way The propagation of this plant is considered to be propagation by root suckers. To do this, simply separate the offspring from the mother plant and move it to another place. Other vegetative methods include propagation by layering and cuttings.

Reproduction of Chinese lemongrass by layering

This procedure is carried out by analogy with the propagation of grapes.

A shallow groove is made next to the vine, being careful not to damage the root system of the plant.
The side shoot is removed from the support, placed in a groove and secured with staples.
They dig in the fixed area of the shoot, leaving the top on the surface, and water it.
Rooted cuttings are separated from the mother plant and transplanted to a permanent place.

Propagation of Chinese Schisandra by cuttings

Schisandra is cut from cuttings only in the summer, in mid-June, with green-brown, not completely lignified shoots. The procedure is carried out according to the following scheme:

Cut cuttings of 3-4 buds into oblique cuts.
The cuttings are kept in water for 2 days.
Planted in a greenhouse, in well-moistened soil, covered with agrospan.
During the summer, monitor soil moisture and the condition of the cuttings.

Roots usually appear on the 30th day after planting the cuttings. At the beginning of September, the seedlings are transferred to the cellar along with a lump of earth and stored until spring in damp sawdust. It is not recommended to leave them in a greenhouse over the winter. In spring, seedlings are placed in a permanent place. Survival rate – 50%.

Growing Chinese Schisandra from seeds

When attempting seed propagation of Chinese lemongrass, gardeners often make several mistakes:

Use old seed material. In lemongrass, seeds that are only 3 months old can be called old. They quickly lose their germination capacity, so there is no point in buying seeds in stores. Read also the article: → "".
Seeds are sown without stratification. Schisandra seeds must pass pre-sowing preparation within 1.5 months.
Seedlings overheat. The desire to give seedlings more sun turns into seedling failure. In nature, schisandra seedlings develop in the shade of other trees and die in direct sun.

Growing from seeds is the most difficult option for propagating Chinese lemongrass. It is better to sow directly in open ground in the fall and mulch with peat for the winter. This way the seeds will undergo natural stratification and sprout by spring. Chinese lemongrass seedlings develop very slowly. They are planted in the ground in the 2nd year, after the appearance of 5 true leaves.

If this is not possible, the seeds are placed in damp sand in November and placed in the cold. From time to time they are checked, moistened, and ventilated. When the seeds begin to crack, you can start sowing.

The seedling box is filled with light soil, mixing peat, sand and humus in a ratio of 2:1:1. The seeds are laid out at intervals of 3 cm and buried 1.5 cm. For germination, the optimal temperature is about 20⁰C. After germination, the box is moved to the windowsill, protected from sunlight.

Planting Chinese lemongrass in open ground

Many sources recommend arranging drainage when preparing a planting hole for Chinese magnolia vine. This is not always advisable. The thickness of the root layer of this plant is only 30-40 cm, so the likelihood of the roots getting wet from below is negligible. But the risk of transformation seat in the vessel for the accumulation of rain moisture increases.

The selection of a site for planting lemongrass should be made based on optimal conditions, given above. It is better to plan the procedure in the spring, during the phase of extension of the “green cone” - this way there is a greater chance for the seedling to take root. When planting, do not bury the root collar.

The first fruits after planting a seedling in the ground can be seen only after 4-5 years.

After planting, the tree trunk circle is well watered and mulched. Mulch is a necessary condition when growing lemongrass. In nature, the soil under this vine is always covered with coniferous or leaf litter, which protects the surface roots of Schisandra from overheating and drying out.

If lemongrass does not feel support, it slows down in growth. You need to foresee what the plant will cling to immediately when planting. Post-planting care for lemongrass consists of regular watering and protecting growing shoots from the sun.

Tip #2. It is better to plant lemongrass in groups of 3-4 seedlings. At the same time, the likelihood of the formation of “different-sex” plants increases and the chance of pollination and fruiting increases.

Schisandra care: monthly action plan

Caring for Chinese lemongrass is not difficult. After this plant gains strength, it becomes unpretentious and resistant to all adversities. A sample action plan looks like this:

Month	Event
March	Inspection of an overwintered plant, sanitary pruning of frozen and broken shoots. Inspection and correction of supporting structures.
April	Fertilizing with nitrogen fertilizers. Mulching.
May	Spraying the leaves with humic fertilizers.
June	Fertilizing with complete fertilizer. Regulatory pruning of thickening shoots into 10 buds.
July
August	Caring for the tree trunk circle - weeding, watering, loosening as necessary.
September	Harvest. Fertilizing with phosphorus-potassium fertilizer. Pruning unproductive shoots and excess root shoots.
October	High mulching of the trunk circle with peat, covering the root collar. Removing young plants (up to 3-4 years old) from the support and covering their shoots with dry leaves.

Schisandra firmly wraps around any support and is suitable for forming pergolas, landscaping arches or gazebos.

How to feed Chinese lemongrass: selection of options

Experienced gardeners do not recommend feeding young schisandra seedlings with mineral fertilizers. 3-4 years after planting, you can limit yourself to the spring application of organic matter. Starting from the 5th year, lemongrass can be given mineral supplements:

Name	Compound	Time and method of application
"Fertika Crystalon Universal"

Chinese lemongrass is still rarely found on the plots of Russian gardeners. Many people are simply afraid to plant an unknown exotic crop, considering it capricious and demanding to care for. But Chinese lemongrass is an unpretentious plant; nothing supernatural is required from the gardener. For compliance with simple rules of care, the culture will reward you with a bountiful harvest of very healthy berries.

What does Chinese lemongrass look like?

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

Schisandra chinensis forms dense thickets in nature

The plant's habitat is river valleys, forest edges, old clearings, clearings, and 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 zest, 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 vine with a climbing stem, if 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 over time, changing color to black-brown, and peels off.

In autumn, Chinese lemongrass looks elegant and very impressive.

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

In autumn, the plant looks very attractive - the leaves turn different shades of yellow, from pale gold to saffron.

The flowering plant also looks nice. Schisandra flowers resemble magnolias made from wax. The petals are snow-white and acquire a delicate pastel pink hue before falling. The buds are collected in inflorescences of 3–5 pieces, located in the axils of the leaves. The pedicels are quite long, slightly drooping under their weight. Flowering occurs in the first half of July.

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

Schisandra fruits are small spherical bright scarlet berries, collected 15–25 pieces in a cluster 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, resins and tannins, essential oils extremely specific. The skin is sweetish-salty, tart, the juice is very sour, astringent, the seeds are bitter.

In China, the fruit is called the “berry of five flavors.”

Eating fresh Schisandra chinensis berries (especially its wild varieties) is almost impossible

The average yield of Schisandra chinensis is 3–5 kg of berries per adult plant. But every 3–7 years there are “spikes” when the vine produces 1.5–2 times more fruit than the gardener expected. The harvest ripens in August or early September.

Schisandra is a dioecious plant. This means that pollination and subsequent fruiting are possible only if there are simultaneously specimens with “male” and “female” flowers on the site.

The productivity of Schisandra chinensis is not amazing, but its fruits are, rather, not a delicacy, but a medicine

Application

In folk medicine, seeds and dried fruits of lemongrass 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). Schisandra has the ability to relieve fatigue caused by intense physical and mental stress, sharpen vision and hearing, and also relieve depression. It is also extremely useful for strengthening the immune system and stimulating tissue regeneration, helping with vitamin deficiency, 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 Schisandra berries are a powerful tonic.

There is also a fairly long list of contraindications. Schisandra chinensis is prohibited from consumption by pregnant women and children under 12 years of age, as well as by those who suffer from vegetative-vascular dystonia, any allergies, chronic insomnia, high intracranial pressure, infectious diseases. At the same time, it is recommended to take drugs from it before noon, so as not to provoke insomnia. The simultaneous use of any sleeping pills, tranquilizers, antipsychotics, or psychostimulant drugs is strictly prohibited. In general, it is not advisable to “prescribe” lemongrass for yourself; it is better to first consult a doctor.

Common varieties

In nature, according to various sources, there are from 15 to 23 varieties of Schisandra chinensis. Special attention The crop is also not used by breeders, so the choice of varieties is limited. The most common varieties found in garden plots are:

Garden One. Self-fertile hybrid that does not require pollinators. It is characterized by high cold resistance, good yield, and shoot growth rate. The berries are very juicy and sour. The average length of the cluster is 9–10 cm, each with 22–25 berries. The average yield is 4–6 kg per adult plant.
Mountain. A medium-ripening variety, bred in the Far East, where it is considered one of the most promising. The harvest ripens in the last ten days of August. It is characterized by 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 bitter berries with a noticeable sourness. The pulp is dense but juicy. The yield is low, 1.5–2 kg per plant.
Volgar. The variety is resistant to winter cold and summer drought, and rarely suffers from diseases and pests. As a rule, both “male” and “female” flowers bloom on one plant, but sometimes there is a season when only “male” flowers are formed. The harvest ripens in the first ten days 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.
First born. One of the latest achievements of Russian breeders, bred in Moscow. The variety is valued for its frost resistance and disease resistance. The berries are small, elongated, purple-scarlet, the flesh is bright red. The brush length is about 12 cm, weight is 10–12 g. The bush is medium-sized, the plant is monoecious. A significant drawback is low frost resistance, weak immunity. The length of the vine is no more than 5 m.
Myth. A hybrid whose origin could not be established for certain. The clusters 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 fruit.
Oltis. The variety's homeland is the Far East. It is valued for its good yield (3–4 kg per plant) and resistance to diseases typical of the crop. The berries are dark scarlet and small. The average length of the brush is 9–11 cm, weight is 25–27 g, each contains 25–30 fruits. The taste is bitter-sour.
Purple. One of the oldest varieties, bred in 1985 in the Far East. The harvest ripening period is the last ten days of August. The first fruits are harvested 3–4 years after the seedling is planted in the ground. Productivity - 3–4 kg per adult plant. The variety is characterized by exceptional winter hardiness, but often suffers from diseases. The berries are small, the clusters are compact. The skin is scarlet, the taste is noticeably sour.

Photo gallery: varieties of Schisandra chinensis

Garden-one is the most popular variety of Chinese Schisandra among Russian gardeners. Chinese Schisandra Gorny is considered by experts to be one of the most promising varieties of Schisandra Chinese. Volgar is valued for its unpretentiousness and insensitivity to adverse weather conditions. The variety of Chinese Schisandra Pervenets is one of the latest achievements of Russian breeders. The origin of the Schisandra hybrid. Chinese Myth It has not yet been possible to reliably establish Schisandra chinensis Oltis - a variety with good yield and large bunches of berries. The variety of Chinese Schisandra Purple stands out for its unusually dark color of fruits

Planting and transplanting procedure

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

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

Planting time depends on the growing region. In areas with a warm climate (Ukraine, southern Russia) it can be planned for September and even the first half of October. There is enough time left before frost, the plant will have time to adapt to new living conditions. In regions with a temperate climate (Ural, Siberia), the only option is spring. In central Russia, Schisandra chinensis is planted at the end of April or in the first ten days of May (the soil should warm up to at least 10ºC by this time, but you need to do it before the growth buds “wake up”). Over 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 schisandra seedlings at the same time (ideally of different varieties), leaving an interval of about 1 m between them, and 2–2.5 m between the rows. If the vine is placed next to a wall, you need to retreat approximately this amount from it Make sure that drops of water do not fall from the roof onto the plant (this is harmful to the roots). It is imperative 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 across 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 warm climates, shoots of Schisandra chinensis are not removed from the trellis even for the winter.

Seedlings are selected based on the condition 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.

Schisandra chinensis seedlings are not tall, this is normal for the culture

Chinese lemongrass prefers soil that is fertile, but loose and light, well permeable to air and water. A heavy substrate in which moisture stagnates for a long time - silty, clayey, peat - is absolutely not suitable.

The plant will tolerate both partial shade and shade, but the maximum possible yields are collected when grown outdoors. 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 vine.

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, such placement provides the vine with enough sun; in the second, it protects it from the intense heat of the day.

The maximum possible yield is brought by Chinese lemongrass planted in an open sunny place

The crop also does not like overly wet soil at the roots. If groundwater come closer to the surface than 1.5–2 m, you need to look for another place for the lemongrass.

The planting 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, diameter is 65–70 cm. At the bottom, a layer of drainage 8–10 cm thick is required. You can use crushed stone, expanded clay, clay shards, and ceramic chips. 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 a mound at the bottom. Then the hole is covered with something waterproof to prevent rain from washing away the soil, and left until planting.

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

Boarding procedure:

The roots of the seedling are inspected, all rotten and dried ones 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 several 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).
The roots are thickly coated with a paste of powdered clay and fresh cow dung, then dried in the sun for 2–3 hours. The correct consistency resembles a thick cream.
The plant is placed on an earthen mound at the bottom of the planting hole. The roots are straightened so that they “look” down and not up or to the sides. Then they begin to fill the hole with small portions of soil, periodically compacting the substrate with their palms. During the process, you need to constantly monitor the position of the root collar - it should be 2-3 cm above the ground surface.
The soil in the tree trunk circle is watered abundantly, using 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 advisable to protect it from direct sunlight by constructing a canopy from any white covering material.
The shoots are shortened, leaving 3–4 growth buds. All leaves, if any, are torn off.

The place for lemongrass is chosen carefully; the plant does not tolerate replanting very well.

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

Video: how to plant lemongrass correctly