When to germinate the catkin seeds
Comprehensive explanation of when to germinate catkin seeds and the topics of planting and management of catkin seeds, let's follow the editor to take a look!
Catkin trees are the most common species of trees, and they are also the best variety for grafting osmanthus. Catkin trees are also known as millennium trees, as they can live for a thousand years. Catkin trees, also known as sparse trees, tea trees, and April snow, are a class II protected plant in the country. Catkin trees prefer sunlight, are not shade-tolerant, cold-resistant, drought-resistant, and dislike waterlogging. They grow slowly, have a long lifespan, are tolerant to poor soil, and have no strict requirements for soil, but grow best in fertile, well-drained sandy loam. They have a certain tolerance to salt and alkali, and can grow 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. Catkin trees prefer sunlight but can also tolerate shade. They prefer warm climates and are also quite cold-tolerant. They like neutral and slightly acidic soils, are drought and thin-soil tolerant, and do not tolerate waterlogging. They grow in sparse mixed forests or thickets below an altitude of 3000 meters, or on slopes and riverbanks. They are cultivated in various places.
Here is an introduction to the planting methods and techniques for catkin trees:
1. Seed selection: In the North China region, catkin tree seeds mature from mid-September to early October. You can collect seeds. Choose trees with strong growth and good posture as seed mother trees. Select seeds that are plump and free from diseases and pests. After collecting, soak them in water for one day. Then, remove the seeds from the water and place them in a cool and well-ventilated area to dry in the shade, avoiding direct sunlight. After 2 to 3 days of drying in the shade, store the seeds in clean, moist sand. During the seed storage period, spray water and turn the mixture every half month. The amount of water should be enough to moisten the sand, but not too much.
2. Sowing and post-sowing management: After the seeds have been sand-stored until the following March, when about 30% of the seeds have sprouted, it is time to prepare the bed for sowing. The nursery site should be selected with good drainage, convenient irrigation, and deep, fertile soil. In the North China region, field high ridges are used for seedling raising. Generally, the ridge spacing should be 30 centimeters, the ridge height 20 centimeters, and the ridge top width 50 centimeters. Apply enough base fertilizer, and open two rows of sowing furrows on each ridge top. The row spacing on the ridge top should be 30 to 40 centimeters, and the depth of the sowing furrow should be 2 centimeters. Spread the germinated seeds evenly in the sowing furrows, with a seeding rate of 15 to 20 kilograms 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 ridge furrows to keep the seeds moist, but be careful not to flood the ridge top, as this can cause soil compaction. 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 shelter in time. If the seedlings are too dense, thinning can be done. In the summer, the nursery should be frequently cultivated and weeded to keep the soil loose. Catkin trees like fertilizer, and from June to August, fertilize once every half month, and pay attention to pest control. With proper management, one-year-old catkin seedlings can grow to a height of 0.8 to 1.2 meters and have a ground diameter of about 1 centimeter.
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, wet sand (disinfected and screened) in a 1:2 ratio and pour them evenly into the pit. Then, cover the top with 2 cm of sand, water thoroughly, and cover with plastic film to keep it moist. You can insert some straw mats in the bed for ventilation and aeration to prevent seed decay and water thoroughly when the surface is dry.
②: Germination promotion
Choose a sunny, leeward place to make ridges, water thoroughly, and after two days, evenly spread the pure seeds in the ridges, cover them 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. Water when dry, and pay attention to weeding and loosening the soil to ensure the germination rate of the seeds.
4. Harvesting
Seeds mature in September to October and are harvested. After harvesting, they are selected by water. The method of water selection is to soak the seeds for 48 hours while adding 0.1% potassium permanganate for seed disinfection. During the soaking process, float the seeds that are not mature and the seeds infested with pests to obtain pure seeds. At the same time, rub off the brown epidermis of the seed surface with your hands to facilitate seed germination.
The above is a detailed introduction to when to germinate catkin seeds and the planting and management of catkin seeds. Have you understood?