What season to sow the catkin seeds
A small knowledge of life, introducing the season for sowing catkin seeds and the related experience of planting and managing catkin seeds for flower planting, the specific content is as follows:
The catkin tree is one of the most common tree species, and it is also the best variety for grafting osmanthus. The catkin tree is also known as the millennium wood, as it can live for a thousand years. The catkin tree, also called the flowing tree, tea tree, or April snow, is a class II protected plant in the country. The catkin tree is fond of light, does not tolerate shade, is cold and drought resistant, dislikes waterlogging, grows slowly, has a long lifespan, is tolerant of poor soil, and not very picky about soil requirements. However, it grows best in fertile, well-drained sandy loam soil. It has a certain ability to tolerate salt and alkali, and can grow normally in slightly saline-alkaline soil with a pH of 8.7 and a salt content of 0.2%. No adverse reactions have been observed. The catkin tree enjoys light but can also tolerate shade. It prefers a warm climate but is also quite cold resistant. It likes neutral and slightly acidic soil, is drought and thin-soil tolerant, and does not tolerate waterlogging. It grows in sparse mixed forests or thickets below 3000 meters in altitude, or on slopes and riverbanks. It is cultivated in various regions.
Here is an introduction to the planting methods and techniques for the catkin tree:
1. Seed selection: In the North China region, catkin tree seeds mature from mid-September to early October. You can collect seeds then. Choose trees with strong growth and good posture as seed mother trees. Select seeds that are full and free from diseases and pests. After collecting, soak them in water for one day, then remove the seeds from the pods and place them in a cool, well-ventilated area to dry in the shade, avoiding direct sunlight. After drying for 2 to 3 days, store them in clean, moist sand. During seed storage, spray and mix the sand every half month. The amount of water should make the sand slightly moist, be careful not to add too much water.
2. Sowing and post-sowing management: After the seeds are sand-stored until the following March, when about 30% of the seeds have germinated, it is time to prepare the bed for sowing. The nursery site should be chosen with good drainage, convenient irrigation, and deep, fertile soil. In the North China region, large-field high ridge sowing is used for seedling raising. Generally, the ridge spacing should be 30 cm, ridge height 20 cm, and ridge top width 50 cm. Apply sufficient base fertilizer, open two rows of sowing furrows on each ridge top, with a row spacing of 30 to 40 cm on the ridge top, and a furrow depth of 2 cm. Spread the germinated seeds evenly in the furrows, with a sowing rate of 15 to 20 kg per mu. Cover the seeds with fine soil and mulch with straw to retain moisture. In case of dry weather, water can be added in the furrows to keep the seeds moist, but be careful not to let water 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 set up a shade shed for shading. If the seedlings are too dense, thin them appropriately. In summer, the nursery should be frequently cultivated and weeded to keep the soil loose. The catkin tree enjoys fertilizer, and from June to August, fertilize every half month and pay attention to the prevention and control of diseases and pests. Through management, one-year-old catkin seedlings can grow to a height of 0.8 to 1.2 meters, with a ground diameter of about 1 cm.
3. Seedling raising
①: Root promotion
Select a place with a sunny, leeward, and good drainage to dig a pit 10 cm deep, the length of which can be determined according to the number of seeds. Mix the catkin seeds with clean water sand (disinfected and sieved) at a ratio of 1:2, pour them evenly into the pit, then cover with 2 cm of sand, water thoroughly, and cover with plastic film to keep moist. You can insert some grass mats in the bed to ventilate and prevent seed decay; if the surface is dry, water thoroughly.
②: Germination promotion
Select a sunny, leeward place to make a bed, water thoroughly, and after two days, evenly sprinkle the pure seeds in the bed, cover with 0.5 cm of soil, then 0.5 cm of sand, and cover with plastic film. Regularly observe and pay attention to the soil moisture; if dry, water, and be careful to weed and loosen the soil to ensure the germination rate of the seeds.
4. Harvesting
The seeds are harvested from September to October. After harvesting, perform water selection. The method of water selection is: Soak the seeds for 48 hours, and add 0.1% potassium permanganate for seed disinfection. During soaking, remove the seeds that are not mature and the seeds infested with insects that float on the surface to obtain pure seeds. At the same time, rub off the brown epidermis on the surface of the seeds during soaking to facilitate seed germination.
The above () introduces the season for sowing catkin seeds and the specific introduction of the planting and management of catkin seeds for your reference.