Propagation, Cultivation, and Management of JinDanZi (Diospyros armata)

1. Seed Propagation
After the Lantern Festival (typically mid-February on the lunar calendar), collect ripe fruits and extract their seeds. Clean and dry the seeds thoroughly. By early April, soak the seeds in approximately 30°C warm water for 48 hours. Then, transfer them to a drainable container, cover with double-layered gauze, and sprout them like bean sprouts. Water the seeds once daily until they crack and germinate. Once germinated, sow them in a prepared seedbed. With standard care, the seedlings can be used to create small potted landscapes within three years.

2. Cutting Propagation Using Female Plant Branches
Both new and old branches from female plants can be rooted successfully. The key to success lies in timing—mid-April is ideal—and maintaining a humid environment along with fresh cuttings. If possible, place the cutting bed in full sun, misting during the day and stopping at night. Alternatively, a bright, ventilated, semi-shaded location also works. mist the cuttings four times daily to ensure high survival rates. Potted plants grown from cuttings can bear fruit in as little as three years.

3. Collecting Old Wild Stumps
Wild old stumps can be collected from November to April of the following year. Professionals may plan field excavations while prioritizing natural ecological conservation. After retrieval, soak the stump in clean water for two hours, then bury half of it in sandy soil. Water thoroughly initially, and maintain ambient humidity thereafter. Under such conditions, new branches can grow up to one meter within a year. The following March, the stump can be repotted, pruned, and shaped. Within three to four years, it will develop into a well-formed bonsai.

4. Routine Care and Management
Use metal wires to shape the trunk and main branches of JinDanZi. Subsequent maintenance should focus on pruning, supplemented by tying. For potting soil, mix river sand, leaf mold, and yellow soil in a 4:4:2 ratio. After repotting, water thoroughly and place in a shaded area for half a month before resuming normal care. Once new buds emerge, apply a fermented fertilizer solution monthly at a ratio of 1:10 (fertilizer to water). Fertilize more in spring and autumn, reduce in summer, and avoid in winter. Watering should keep the soil moderately moist: water thoroughly every evening in summer, and in other seasons, water only when the soil is dry, but thoroughly each time.

5. Fruit Cultivation Techniques
As Diospyros armata is dioecious, during the flowering period, ensure male plants bloom near female plants to enable natural pollination and improve fruit set. If no male plants are nearby, perform artificial pollination. Once flowers fall and small fruits form, spray twice at 15-day intervals with a 1:800 potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution to enhance fruit retention. In September (lunar calendar), spray twice with a 1:600 urea solution to promote fruit size and shine. With this approach, JinDanZi will thrive with lush foliage and abundant red fruits from October to February, offering a delightful sense of harvest and harmony.