Star Anise is a plant that brings high economic efficiency to farmers. However, to bring out the best quality of Star Anise, you need to pay attention to grow star anise technique and environmental influences.
Techniques for Grow Star Anise
Position
Star anise requires dappled shade, partial sun but if you’re growing star anise in a much cooler climate, plant it in a warm and sunny location. Choose a position in a way that it is not exposed to cold and dry winds.
Fertilizer
Spread a 3-inch layer of compost or aged manure on the ground surrounding the tree in the spring. This is the only fertilizer it requires. If the soil is poor, apply slow release fertilizer all-purpose fertilizer in the spring.
Pruning
When the plant is the young, pinch and prune it if you want to make it bushier. There are no special pruning requirements. However, you can always prune off dead, diseased and weak branches.
Harvest
Star anise tree takes at least 6 years to fruit if grown from seeds. These fruits (wrongly called seeds) are picked unripe while they are still green, later on, these fruits are sun-dried until their color change to reddish-brown, seeds can be removed once the fruits are ready to be stored.
Pests and Diseases
There are not any specific pest or disease that bothers it. Star anise itself has antibacterial and pest repellent properties.
Soil
Star anise likes moist soil, so it is necessary to choose the right planting soil to grow star anise. The soil is fertile, the cultivation layer is thick, the pH is from 6-7. Provide soil that is humus and compost rich. Soil texture should be loamy and well drained. Slightly acidic to the neutral soil is optimal. The soil is moist all year round, well-drained. Star anise should not be planted on limestone, less acidic or neutral soil, mixed sandy soil, sandy soil, the thin layer of soil with strong erosion.
Watering
For growing star anise, do regular watering and keep the soil slightly moist but reduce the watering in winter.
Conditions of Environment
Rainfall
Because it is a moisture-loving plant, star anise needs a lot of water. Star anise trees need an average rainfall from 1,200 to 1,800 mm. At the maturity stage (over 10 years old), star anise has moderate drought tolerance, and flexibly adapts to different conditions of the environment. Star anise trees need water during the following periods: preparing for flowering, preparing for fruit, and before harvesting.
Light
In the first stage when planting anise, it is not advisable to leave the tree in the hot sun, there must be a cover. Under 5 years old, star anise does not tolerate strong direct light. At the age of 8 years, star anise begins to flower, along with that, the need for light also gradually increases. By the age of 20 years or more, star anise requires full light.
Temperature
Star anise can be grown in provinces with an average annual temperature of 20-21°C. When young, star anise does not tolerate high temperatures, in the summer the seedlings easily die. On the contrary, the cold tolerance of star anise trees is relatively high, and they do not die from frost.
Summary of how to plant Star Anise
Plant star anise seeds either indoors or directly outside (as long as outdoor temperature is at least 65-70F).
Additionally, you can also grow star anise using cuttings.
Make sure soil is moist, and if planting in a pot, make sure the pot has good drainage. Star anise prefers well drained soil.
You can grow star anise in pots or directly into the ground. Before planting, be sure that the temperature is at least 65-70F (18-20C).
Water the seeds immediately and frequently.
Add compost to the soil.
Choose a warm, sunny location and never let your star anise plant outdoors if the temperature falls below 15C.
If you live in a tropical climate, plant your star anise in partial shade – too much sun could burn the plant.
CARE:
Once planted, water regularly.
Plant should always be in full sun.
Soil should be moist at all times.
Add about 3 inches of compost to the soil.
If temperatures fall below 15F (-10), move the plant indoors. It will not survive in colder temperatures.
Those that live in climates where temperatures fall below 15F, should grow anise in pots or containers so that they can be moved inside.
Which season is high quality Vietnamese star anise harvested?
Star Anise is actually the fruit of the star anise plant, scientifically known as Illicium Verum Hook. Star anise is an essential ingredient in many Chinese, Vietnamese, Indonesian and Indian dishes. It is one of the spices that is used in pho, a Vietnamese noodle soup. Vietnamese star anise has a very strong, distinct flavor that is sweet and spicy, similar to licorice. There are 2 seasons of star anise in Vietnam. Spring season from February to March and autumn season in September.
- Autumn season of Star Anise
Anise usually blooms from March to May, until around July, September, star anise begin to ripen and enter the harvest season. Autumn harvest starts in September and lasts until the end of October each year. Due to favorable weather conditions, this crop gives more flowers. Autumn star anise is more beautiful, has larger petals and seeds inside. In the autumn, the weather is cool but it rains a lot, making the trunk of star anise easy to slip, the branches of star anise are big but brittle and easy to break. Therefore, it is difficult for farmers to harvest star anise, and the price of anise is also higher because of that.
- Spring season of Star Anise
Spring harvest starts in March till the end of April. With this crop, star anise usually blooms at the end of winter and after Tet, farmers can harvest this season. Star anise flowers of this season are not better than the autumn crop. Star- shaped anises have smaller size than autumn crop, even some flowers do not open but still eight points, a seed in each point. At this time, the weather conditions are less suitable for star anise than in autumn, so this season’s star anise has a lower yield, but still retains the inherent characteristics of Vietnamese star anise, containing high essential oil content.
Anise is native to the northern provinces of Vietnam. Currently, they are grown a lot in the provinces bordering China and the northeastern provinces of our country. Some prominent places can be mentioned such as Lang Son, Cao Bang, Bac Kan, … These are all prestigious and long-standing anise growing areas.
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What is Star Anise? Origin, Taste and Usage. Where to buy it?
Many amazing benefits of Star Anise to your health