Articles
Culture impact on producing and marketing of Ilex verticillata (L.) A. Gray
Article number
1467_11
Pages
85 – 94
Language
English
Abstract
Winterberry (Ilex verticillata (L.) A. Gray), a deciduous shrub native to North American, has emerged as a significant ornamental crop in China since its introduction in 2000. It is highly valued for its vibrant red and yellow fruits, which symbolize prosperity and good fortune, especially during traditional Chinese New Year celebrations.
During the initial adoption phase (2000-2015), cultivation was limited to just 82.3 acres and a single cultivar, ‘Oosterwijk’, due to low propagation success rates (20-40%) and market uncertainty.
However, a major market breakthrough in 2016, driven by the popularity of Dutch-imported cut fruit branches, catalyzed rapid domestic expansion.
By 2024, production had increased sixfold, reaching over 5,000 acres across 26 provinces.
This growth was supported by key technical advancements that met rising market demand.
Propagation success now exceeds 90% using semi-hardwood cuttings treated with 1000 mg L‑1 IBA under controlled conditions (24-26°C and >80% humidity). For cut fruit branch production, growers employ spring pruning, three applications of paclobutrazol at 20-day intervals starting in May to control growth, and potassium dihydrogen phosphate sprays from August to October to promote flower bud differentiation.
Winter root pruning helps regulate plant vigor, followed by a 60-fold dilution hydrogen cyanamide application the following March to stimulate branching.
Harvesting, grading, and cold storage take place in November.
Potted plant production follows a similar schedule.
It begins with a 10 cm pruning in spring, followed by a second pruning 5 cm above the branching point in July.
Hydrogen cyanamide is applied the next March to enhance lateral growth.
Today, the market offers a diverse range of cultivars, including ‘Red Sprite’, ‘Winter Gold’, ‘Citronella’, ‘Golden Verboom’, and ‘Little Goblin’, for both cut fruit branches and potted ornamental plant production.
This transformation illustrates how cultural demand can drive the commercialization of ornamental plants when optimized production techniques align with market needs.
During the initial adoption phase (2000-2015), cultivation was limited to just 82.3 acres and a single cultivar, ‘Oosterwijk’, due to low propagation success rates (20-40%) and market uncertainty.
However, a major market breakthrough in 2016, driven by the popularity of Dutch-imported cut fruit branches, catalyzed rapid domestic expansion.
By 2024, production had increased sixfold, reaching over 5,000 acres across 26 provinces.
This growth was supported by key technical advancements that met rising market demand.
Propagation success now exceeds 90% using semi-hardwood cuttings treated with 1000 mg L‑1 IBA under controlled conditions (24-26°C and >80% humidity). For cut fruit branch production, growers employ spring pruning, three applications of paclobutrazol at 20-day intervals starting in May to control growth, and potassium dihydrogen phosphate sprays from August to October to promote flower bud differentiation.
Winter root pruning helps regulate plant vigor, followed by a 60-fold dilution hydrogen cyanamide application the following March to stimulate branching.
Harvesting, grading, and cold storage take place in November.
Potted plant production follows a similar schedule.
It begins with a 10 cm pruning in spring, followed by a second pruning 5 cm above the branching point in July.
Hydrogen cyanamide is applied the next March to enhance lateral growth.
Today, the market offers a diverse range of cultivars, including ‘Red Sprite’, ‘Winter Gold’, ‘Citronella’, ‘Golden Verboom’, and ‘Little Goblin’, for both cut fruit branches and potted ornamental plant production.
This transformation illustrates how cultural demand can drive the commercialization of ornamental plants when optimized production techniques align with market needs.
Authors
Yiping Zou, Yunlong Yin, Hong Chen, Ting Zhou, Yan Duan, Mingzhuo Hao, Donglin Zhang
Keywords
culture impact, cut fruit branch production, cutting propagation, Ilex verticillata, potted plant production, winterberry
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