Techniques of shaping and pruning of Lycium barbarum

In order to have a high yield, Chinese wolfberry must first be cultivated into a good tree shape. Lycium barbarum has strong branching ability, luxuriant growth, and has the characteristics of blooming and fruiting twice a year. Poor management, shaping and pruning will not only affect the yield of the same year, but also make the tree senescence ahead of time. Therefore, reasonable shaping and pruning is an important measure for high and stable yield of Lycium barbarum.

1. Plastic surgery

The tree shape of Lycium barbarum should be cut into umbrella-shaped circles with three layers of fruiting branches. In the first year, the Chinese wolfberry planted in the first year was topped and dried at the height of about 60cm above the ground in early spring, and the new lateral branches occurred in the range of 10~20cm under the cut mouth. Three to five evenly distributed branches were selected as the main branches of the fifth layer crown.

In the second year after planting, an erect branch from the upper part of the trunk was selected as the extended trunk, the top was cut at the 120cm above the ground, and 5 of the lateral branches at the top were selected as the second layer crown.

In the third year after planting, one erect long branch from the center of the second layer crown was selected as the trunk, and the top was trimmed from the ground 160cm, and the parent branch at the top was selected as the main branch of the third layer crown.

2. Pruning

Chinese wolfberry is generally trimmed twice. Spring pruning is carried out before sprouting. First, the tillering branches sprouting at the base of the main branches are removed, then the withered branches, cross branches, overgrown branches, old and weak branches, transverse branches, disease and insect branches and acupuncture branches are cut off, and then the healthy fruiting branches are selected and cut short. Summer pruning in central Hebei is usually in mid-late July. Those overdense branches, weak branches and overgrown branches on the trunk or side branches are cut off, and the fruiting branch group is gradually renewed, especially in the vacant or bald part of the crown, which should be cultured into a new fruiting branch group.

Lycium barbarum generally enters the full fruit period in 3 years and 5 years, and gradually weakens after 30 years. After 40 years and 50 years, it is senescent, improper shaping and pruning, and begins to senescence in about 20 years. Therefore, reasonable shaping and pruning is an important measure for stable and high yield of Lycium barbarum every year.