Plant Schisandra NOW! --Don't Wait!

January is the is the best time to sow schisandra. Here is a trick to germinating the seed successfully.  You need to boil water let cool for 2 minutes.  Should be 180 degrees F.  Soak overnight, then sow outside in a pot, or you want it to grow. It then needs 2 months of cold weather to germinate, or saturate 2 months at 40 degrees.

It makes a beautiful vine with red berries, which are edible - raw or cooked. Can be dried and used on journeys.   Rich in sugars, it has a sweet/sour flavor. In Russia a paste made from the fruit is mixed with Kiwi  (or Chinese Gooseberry) (Actinidia arguta) in order to counteract the low acidity.  You can order this plant at my Dad'sherb store and the order info is below..

Scientific
Name: Schisandra chinensis
Common Name:  Schisandra
Other Common Names: Schisandra, Tyosen-Gomisi, Wu Wei Zi, Wu-wei-zi
Plant Type: Perennial
Where To Plant: Full Sun to Partly Shady
Soil Types: Average
Zones 4-8

Germination: Hard
Number of Seeds Per Pack: 25
Uses: Medicinal
Notes: Chinese Herb, berries used to treat nervous conditions, chronic cough, asthma, thrist, diarrhea. Called Chinese Prozac.

SCHISANDRA CHINENSIS (Wu-wei-zi) Chinese medicinal; astringent and demulcent berries are used to treat nervous conditions, chronic cough, asthma, thirst, too frequent urination, and diarrhea. Sometimes referred to as 'Chinese Prozac'. Hardy climbing vine, to zone 5. Has adaptogenic and immune-enhancing properties similar to ginseng.
Price: $2.75/pkt