Schisandra chinensis seeds (Magnolia Vine)

Description

Also known as “Five flavour berry”, “Magnolia Vine”, “Five flavor fruit”, and “Wu Wei Zi”.  A gendered species where, in May-June, tiny white sweetly fragrant pink and white flowers adorn the vines on both sexes. On female plants dense grape like clusters of berries ripen from green to brilliant red edible morsels that are used in traditional Chinese Medicine as an adaptogen as the five flavours: salty, sour, sweet, sour, spicy and bitter harmonize the five yin organs: lungs, liver, heart, kidneys and spleen.  Lustrous leaves and graceful woody vine form makes this also a highly ornamental for landscape. Tolerates shade, but needs evenly moist fertile soil. Vigorous as it can grow 1m or more a year maxing out to 10 meters in every direction. Plants need a sturdy arbor, trellis, or fence or what have you. On an interesting note, the flavours come in sequence.

• Seed Count: 20-25
• Collection Date: Oct 2022
• Hardiness Zone: 4-10
• Height and Width: woody deciduous vine +10m
• Germination test type: float

How to germinate Schisandra chinensis seeds:

Soak seed 24 hours then sow 5 mm deep in well draining medium. Cold stratify 60-90 days. Germinate at 18-20C. Should emerge in 30-45 days. Protect from nibblers. Alternately, can be cold stratified and given germination conditions in a resealable baggie. Prick out seedlings to grow out