Houpo is a precious tree species unique to China, which is widely distributed in the northern subtropical region. The medicinal parts of houpo are mainly the bark, but the seeds, flowers, and leaves can also be used medicinally. However, due to excessive bark stripping and deforestation, the wild houpo resources have rapidly declined, and the distribution area has become smaller and smaller. Now, most of them are artificially cultivated, so it is necessary for us to understand the harvesting and storage of houpo resources.
1. Harvesting Flowers
When houpo is transplanted and grown for about 8 to 9 years, it can start to bloom and bear fruit. At this time, the flower buds can be harvested in the spring of the following year, from late March to early May, when the houpo flowers are in bud.
After the flower buds are harvested, they should be steamed and dried in a timely manner, generally steaming for 5-8 minutes. Place them on clean and uncontaminated materials such as curtains, bamboo mats, or straw mats to dry. After drying, they can be packed in thin cloth bags or plastic bags, and then packed in cardboard boxes.
2. Harvesting Fruit Seeds
(1) Medicinal Fruit Seeds
As seeds for breeding purposes, fruits from trees aged 15 years or older should be selected. Although fruits produced before the 15th year cannot be used for breeding, they can be used as medicinal fruits, called "langyaguo", and the seeds are called "danhezi".
The fruits are generally harvested from late August to early September, without damaging the branches. After the fruits are harvested, they should be hung in a cool and ventilated place to dry in the shade or with appropriate sun exposure. After drying, they can be packed in boxes for medicinal use.
(2) Harvesting Seeds for Breeding Purposes
Select trees that are over 16 years old, strong, and vigorous, and grow at an altitude of 800-1800 meters as breeding trees. Leave 5-7 strong and healthy flowers on each tree, and pick the rest for medicinal use.
Seed harvesting is 7-15 days later than fruit harvesting, usually after the Cold Dew in September, when the houpo fruits turn purplish-red, the fruit skin cracks slightly, and the red seeds are exposed. The fruits can be harvested at this time.
After the fruits are harvested, the seeds should not be peeled, otherwise they will dry out easily, affecting the germination rate. The fruits should be placed in a cool and dry place for fresh sowing. If fresh sowing is not done in time, scientific storage methods such as fresh seed sand storage should be used to ensure a higher germination rate of the seeds.
3. Harvesting Leaves
Houpo is a deciduous tall tree, and its leaves are not utilized, wasting every year when they naturally fall off in late autumn. In fact, the efficacy and application of houpo leaves are similar to houpo bark, but they are milder and less drying, and are often used for elderly and children with physical weakness. The leaves can be harvested in September or before the first frost in autumn, dried in a wind-protected place or in the shade, and packed in jute bags.
