Does the iron tree bloom?
In folk,"Iron Tree Blooming" is often used to describe rare things. Is this ancient gymnosperm really as mysterious as the legend suggests? As the most representative plant in the Cycadaceae family, the truth about the flowering of Isamia japonica requires the answer from the science of growth characteristics and conservation. Basic principles of flowering of iron tree, characteristics of flowering cycle, the growth rate of iron tree is extremely slow, and it takes 15-20 years to accumulate from seedling to first flowering. Its dioecious characteristics give the flowering period a unique pattern: the male plant blooms in panicles from June to August, and the female plant unfolds its spherical corolla from October to November. It is worth noting that the flowering frequency varies significantly in different regions. Temperature and light regulation The average daily temperature above 25℃ for 5 months is a necessary condition for flowering. Experimental data shows that the flowering probability of iron trees that receive more than 2000 hours of scattered light throughout the year is increased by 47%. Due to insufficient effective accumulated temperature in northern China, there is often a phenomenon of no flowering for decades. Analysis of regional conservation differences in the southern natural open hanging area south of 25° N, the annual growth of iron trees can reach 8-12cm. Guangzhou Botanical Garden records show that open-air cultivation of iron trees blooms once every three years on average, fully confirming the truth that "all things grow by the sun." The artificial intervention method in the north can shorten the flowering cycle to 7-10 years by setting up sunshine room to keep the temperature above 15℃ in winter and combining potassium dihydrogen phosphate foliar fertilizer. A botanical garden in Beijing used LED fill light technology to successfully achieve a breakthrough in the flowering of potted iron trees for three consecutive years. Precautions for flower and fruit management The flowering period of the iron tree can last for 45-60 days, and the seeds formed after flowering need special precautions. Its fruit contains neurotoxins such as cyclocrin, and poisoning can be caused by accidentally eating 3 tablets. Professional advice is to prune flower stalks in time after flowering to avoid nutrient consumption and eliminate potential safety hazards.
The essence of deciphering the mystery of the flowering of the iron tree is to understand its survival wisdom as a living fossil. Creating a suitable environment through scientific maintenance is no longer an extravagant hope to witness the "thousand-year-old iron tree blooming". This green messenger that travels through time and space is waiting for those who understand it to reveal the miracle of life.