How to plant the returned red maple seedlings properly
Do you know these? Here are the contents about how to plant the returned red maple seedlings and the planting methods of red maple trees, let's learn about them together.
I. Red maple seedlings are divided into two types according to different propagation methods:
1. Cutting seedlings: They are more suitable for planting in spring, and their root systems are mainly horizontal. If planted in autumn, due to the large temperature difference and the cold winter, the seedlings will be dormant. Especially in the northern regions where winters are extremely cold, the mortality rate of cutting seedlings is particularly high!
2. Grafted seedlings: The characteristics of this type of red maple seedlings are that the root systems are mainly vertical because the rootstocks are propagated by seeds. The advantages are strong resistances, such as cold and drought resistance. The disadvantage is that in windy conditions, the grafting joint is prone to being broken by the wind! Therefore, grafted seedlings are more suitable for autumn planting.
II. The germination rate of red maples is related to the following factors:
1. The planting time of red maple seedlings:
Generally, red maple seedlings planted in autumn have a later germination time because they have to go through a long winter dormancy before they can germinate normally in spring. If planted in spring, red maple seedlings usually germinate earlier. This is because the temperature rises quickly in spring, and if planted in mid-March in the northern regions, they can germinate in about 20 days.
2. The depth of planting red maple seedlings:
Generally, seedlings planted too deep have a later germination time. When the soil is exposed to sunlight, the soil temperature rises slowly, delaying the time for the roots to come into contact with heat, and thus delaying germination. This is not the case for shallowly planted seedlings, which germinate quickly as long as the temperature rises fast in spring.
3. The freshness of red maple seedlings:
If the red maple seedlings are purchased nearby, they can be dug up quickly, transported over a short distance, and planted quickly, resulting in slow water loss and good freshness. Even if large roots are temporarily cut, it won't affect their quick germination and survival. Conversely, if the seedlings are transported over a long distance, the rapid water loss after the roots are cut and the long-distance transport can cause some seedlings to already be "affected" by the time they arrive, especially during the winter dormancy period when it is difficult for laymen to tell from the appearance of the red maple seedlings. After planting a large number of seedlings, it will be found that in the following spring, the red maple seedlings have a very late germination and limited number of germination, greatly affecting the survival rate.
III. To improve the survival rate of red maple seedlings and ensure quick germination, efforts should be made in the following aspects:
1. Choose sandy soil for planting young seedlings:
Generally, red maple seedlings are first raised as young plants and then transplanted to larger areas when they reach a certain size. During the initial stage of raising young seedlings, choosing sandy soil for planting not only results in a high survival rate but also quick adaptation. The characteristics of sandy soil are good ventilation, water permeability, and quick root warming. The disadvantage is poor water and fertilizer retention, requiring frequent fertilization.
2. Special attention! Make sure to "plant shallowly":
Usually, the deeper the planting, the less likely it is to germinate, especially for seedlings propagated by cuttings, which are difficult to survive. Numerous practices have proven that the deeper the planting, the faster the death.
3. Post-planting auxiliary management of red maple seedlings:
After red maple seedlings are planted, they must be watered thoroughly, and as soon as the soil slightly dries, workers should be arranged to straighten the seedlings and cover the roots with soil. Neglecting this can seriously affect the later yield of high-quality seedlings! Uncovered roots can easily lead to poor survival rates!
4. Pay attention to adjusting soil pH:
Since red maple seedlings belong to the slightly acidic type, special attention must be paid to whether the soil alkalinity of the planting site is too high. There was a case where a nursery owner transported a batch of 3 cm diameter broadleaf magnolia seedlings from Xiangfan, Hubei, to different nursery sites for planting and encountered a plot of land with excessively high alkalinity, resulting in significant losses! If a white "frosty" substance appears on the soil surface after watering the site where red maple seedlings are planted, it can be determined that the soil alkalinity is excessive. In such cases, two solutions can be used: one is the waste material "phosphate slag" produced by chemical fertilizer plants, which has an acidic chemical property and can be used for large-area spreading and plowing; the other is large-packaged ferrous sulfate, which can be diluted and irrigated with water, both effectively improving soil alkalinity.
The above information introduces how to plant the returned red maple seedlings properly and the detailed planting methods of red maple trees. Have you understood them?