How to Plant crabapple
As one of China's traditional famous flowers, crabapple is deeply favored by horticulture enthusiasts for its elegant flower posture and rich cultural connotations. Mastering scientific planting techniques and understanding the key points of winter maintenance are essential for cultivating healthy crabapple plants. This article will systematically analyze the entire process of crabapple cultivation, from soil preparation to overwintering protection.
Four Steps to Plant crabapple
1. Best Sowing Time Selection
Sow in spring and autumn (March-April / September-October) when the daily average temperature is stable between 15-22°C, as the seed germination rate can reach over 80% during this period. Avoid the high temperatures of summer (>30°C) and the low temperatures of winter (<5°C) to ensure normal development of the germ.
2. Quality Seed Source Selection Criteria
Choose mature seeds that are plump and larger than 3mm in diameter, and use the water selection method to eliminate floating inferior seeds. It is recommended to use seeds harvested in the current season, storing them in an environment with 40% humidity and a temperature of 5-8°C to ensure seed viability.
3. Substrate Proportion Scheme
Use a mixed substrate of decomposed leaf soil: perlite: peat soil = 5:3:2, with a pH value controlled between 5.5-6.5. Add 200g of bone meal and 50g of ferrous sulfate per cubic meter to enhance soil fertility and maintain an acidic environment.
4. Seed Sowing Depth Control Technique
Use the hole sowing method, with each hole spaced 15cm apart, and strictly control the covering soil thickness to 2-3cm. Transplant the seedlings after they have grown 4 true leaves (about 45 days of growth), and provide 70% shading for about 7-10 days during the seedling adaptation period.
Three-Level Winter Protection System for crabapple
1. Regional Adaptability Management
Areas north of the Yangtze River must overwinter indoors, maintaining an environment temperature of ≥5°C. Areas south of the Yangtze River can choose a sheltered, sunny outdoor location for protection, combined with double-layer agricultural non-woven fabric coverage.
2. Physical Protection Measures
For outdoor overwintering, build an arch shed 1.2m high and cover it with a 10cm thick straw mat. Pile up a 30cm high soil mound at the base of the trunk, and apply a whitewash mixture (quicklime:sulfur:salt = 10:1:0.5) to the main trunk.
3. Water and Fertilizer Control Strategy
Apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer (N-P-K = 5-15-30) at 150g per plant 30 days before winter, and control water after the beginning of winter to maintain soil moisture at 30%. In extreme low-temperature weather (< -5°C), temporary use of heating cables can be made for ground temperature compensation.
Through scientific planting management and winter protection, crabapple plants can safely overwinter and achieve an annual growth of 40-60cm. It is recommended to regularly test the soil pH value and adjust the maintenance plan based on the plant's growth, allowing crabapple to continue blooming beautifully throughout the seasons.