How to plant the catalpa ovata seed
An introduction to how to plant catalpa ovata seeds and the cultivation and management of green plants and flowers, with detailed information provided below.
Catalpa ovata is one of the most common tree species and is also the best variety for grafting osmanthus. It is also known as the millennium wood, as it can live for a thousand years. Catalpa ovata, also called catalpa speciosa, tea tree, and April snow, is a class II protected plant in China. It prefers sunlight, does not tolerate shade, is cold-resistant, drought-resistant, avoids waterlogging, grows slowly, has a long lifespan, is tolerant of poor soil, and not very picky about soil conditions, but grows best in fertile, well-drained sandy loam. It has some salt and alkali tolerance, capable of growing normally in slightly saline and alkaline soil with a pH of 8.7 and a salt content of 0.2%. No adverse reactions have been observed. Catalpa ovata enjoys sunlight but can also tolerate shade. It prefers a warm climate but is also quite cold-tolerant. It likes neutral and slightly acidic soil, is drought and thin-soil tolerant, but does not tolerate waterlogging. It grows in sparse mixed forests or shrublands below 3000 meters in altitude, or on slopes and riverbanks. It is cultivated in various places.
Here is an introduction to the planting methods and techniques for catalpa ovata:
1. Seed selection: In the North China region, catalpa ovata seeds mature from mid-September to early October. Select trees that are strong and well-shaped as seed母 trees. Choose seeds that are plump and free from diseases and pests. After picking, soak in water for one day. Then, remove the seeds from the pods and place them in a cool and well-ventilated area to dry, avoiding direct sunlight. After 2 to 3 days of drying, store them in clean, moist sand. During storage, spray water and mix the seeds every half month. The amount of water should be just enough to moisten the sand, avoiding excessive water.
2. Sowing and post-sowing management: After stratifying the seeds in sand until the following March, when about 30% of the seeds have sprouted, it's time to plant them. The nursery should be selected with good drainage, convenient irrigation, and deep, fertile soil. In the North China region, large-field ridges are used for seedling raising. Generally, the ridge spacing is 30 cm, the ridge height is 20 cm, and the ridge top width is 50 cm. Apply enough base fertilizer, make two rows of播种沟 on each side of the ridge top, with a row spacing of 30 to 40 cm and a depth of 2 cm. Spread the germinated seeds evenly in the播种沟, with a sowing rate of 15 to 20 kg per mu, cover them with fine soil, and mulch with straw to retain moisture. In case of dry weather, water can be added in the ridge furrows to keep the seeds moist, ensuring that water does not overflow the ridge top, as this can cause soil compaction. About one month after sowing, the seedlings begin to emerge. When the temperature is high and sunlight is strong, it is necessary to cover the seedlings with a shade. If the seedlings are too dense, thinning can be done. In summer, the nursery should be frequently cultivated and weeded to keep the soil loose. Catalpa ovata enjoys fertilizer; from June to August, apply fertilizer every half month and pay attention to pest and disease control. With proper management, one-year-old catalpa ovata seedlings can grow to a height of 0.8 to 1.2 meters and have a ground diameter of about 1 cm.
3. Seedling raising
①: Root promotion
Select a sunny, well-drained area, dig a pit 10 cm deep, and the length depends on the number of seeds. Mix the catalpa ovata seeds with clean, wet sand (disinfected and sieved) in a 1:2 ratio, evenly pour them into the pit, then cover with 2 cm of sand, water thoroughly, and cover with a plastic film to keep the soil moist. You can insert some grass mats in the bed for ventilation and aeration to prevent seed decay; water thoroughly when the surface is dry.
②: Germination promotion
Select a sunny area to make a bed, water thoroughly, and after two days, evenly spread the pure seeds in the bed, cover with 0.5 cm of soil, then 0.5 cm of sand, and finally cover with a plastic film. Regularly observe the soil moisture and water when dry, pay attention to weeding and loosening the soil to ensure seed germination rates.
4. Harvesting
Seeds mature for harvesting from September to October. After harvesting, perform water selection. The method is to soak the seeds for 48 hours while adding 0.1% potassium permanganate for seed disinfection. During soaking, float the immature and insect-damaged seeds to obtain pure seeds. While soaking, rub off the brown outer layer of the seeds to aid in germination.
The comprehensive knowledge on how to plant catalpa ovata seeds, as well as the cultivation and management of catalpa ovata, is hoped to be helpful to you.