Cleaning up forest land and adjusting density

The optimum density of star anise in fruit forests is 40 plants per acre. Density adjustment, dense forest thinning, and removal of disease and insect pests are required. , keep the good ones and eliminate the bad ones; replant the thin forests with strong seedlings of good varieties or large seedlings with soil, so that the distance between the octagonal canopies is controlled to about 0.8-1.2 meters, and do not connect to each other. Miscellaneous shrubs within 4 meters from the forest edge should be removed, and diseased and insect-infected branches, Dead branches and weak branches should be pruned to ensure sufficient light in the anise forest to coordinate the relationship between the vegetative growth and flowering of the anise tree and increase the yield and quality of the anise.

Weeding and reclamation

Soil is one of the main conditions for the survival of star anise. It is necessary to improve the soil structure, adjust the PH value and Improve soil fertility and provide ideal soil conditions for the growth and development of anise.

Cultivating should be done by shoveling or cutting grass once every year from July to August before harvesting anise. Comprehensive reclamation should be carried out on gentle slopes with small slopes. If the slope is greater than 25 degrees, belt reclamation or block reclamation should be used. The grass shoveling and tending should be changed to cutting grass and the reclamation time should be completed between December and the end of January of the following year. The reclamation and restoration should not damage the roots as much as possible to ensure the absorption of water and fertilizer by the star anise root system. The reclamation and restoration and tending can maintain the star anise for 50-60 years. , if left unmanaged, it will naturally decline without harvesting after 5-6 years.

Fertilization

Illustration

Illustrations have flowers and fruits all year round and must be supplemented with sufficient nutrients. According to the requirements of the anise tree for water and fertilizer and the nutrient content of the forest soil Analyze and fertilize with different formula proportions according to different periods. Fertilizer should be mainly decomposed organic fertilizer, or formula fertilization with nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and trace elements needed by star anise such as boron.

The fertilization time should be carried out twice a year in November-December and May-June. After the anise is harvested from November to December, it is the overwintering period for the young anise fruits. Fertilization during this period can replenish nutrients in time, enhance the stress resistance of the young fruits during the winter, and can effectively promote early and strong shoot growth in the following spring. May to June is the period for the growth and development of star anise fruits and the differentiation and germination of flower buds. The last application of decomposed organic fertilizer during this period can not only increase the yield and quality of star anise in the current year, but also promote the differentiation of flower buds, laying the foundation for a high yield the following year.

Apply 1-3 kilograms of decomposed organic fertilizer per plant each time, and apply 0.5-1 kilogram per plant per plant of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other formulated chemical fertilizers. The method of fertilization is generally to dig an annular trench and apply it deeply, that is, open an annular trench around the tree crown and above the projection. The trench is 1-1.5 meters long and 25-30 centimeters wide. Spread the fertilizer evenly in the trench and then cover it with soil.

Pest Control

Anise pest control mainly adopts the method of protecting the environment and natural enemies, focusing on prevention and combining prevention and control. The main insect pests of octagonal anise include the octagonal looper and the octagonal flower bug, etc. Generally, they mainly damage the young leaves of octagonal anise in the shoot-out stage, so inspection and forecasting should be carried out. When damage is found, the larvae can be captured by artificial vibrating by taking advantage of its pseudo-death characteristics, or sprayed with 800-900 times trichlorfon solution and 600-800 times omethoate agent.

Star anise diseases include sooty disease and anthracnose, which are generally prone to occur in rainy weather, in environments with overly dense plants and poor ventilation. The main prevention and control measures are to clear the forest land, adjust the density, and ensure that the forest land has sufficient light. In severe cases, chemical pesticides can be sprayed to kill the scale insects, so that the soot loses nutrients and disappears naturally.

Harvesting

Harvesting large quantities of star anise should be carried out during the maturity period. At this time, the fruit of the star anise is full, the yield is high, and the quality of processed red star anise is good. The time should be controlled after the annual cold dew and before frost. Fruits harvested too early will not reach the commercial maturity stage and will be of poor quality. Harvesting too late will not only consume too much tree nutrients, affect the overwintering of young fruits, and reduce the yield of the next year, but also the star anise will naturally crack and fall off after overripeness. Naturally shed star anise has low yield and poor quality, and is difficult to process into red star anise.

The autumn fruits of octagonal anise are harvested at the time when new flowers are blooming and young fruits are in bloom. It is necessary to ensure safety when picking the fruits without damaging the flowers and young fruits. Therefore, it is strictly forbidden to use bamboo when harvesting. To beat the stick, shake the branches or break the fruit branches, you must go to the tree manually to pick, holding the fruit branches with one hand and picking the fruits with the other.

Processing

The fruits are processed immediately after harvesting. First, put the fruits in boiling water, stir them with a wooden stick for 5-10 minutes, then take them out and expose them to the sun, turning them frequently. , it will be dried in the sun for about 5-6 days on sunny days until it is 90% dry. The color is brownish-red, bright and shiny, and is called a big red fruit. It has the highest value. If it cannot be dried on cloudy and rainy days, it does not need to be degreened in boiling water and can be dried directly with firewood and charcoal. Dry, purple-red in color, dull and dull, with strong fragrance and high value.