How many years does it take for loquat seeds to bear fruit after planting?
Loquat, also known as luju, jinwan, luzhi and so on, originated in the southeast of our country, and is named because its leaves resemble the pipa instrument. Loquat differs from most fruit trees in that it blooms in autumn and its fruit ripens from spring to early summer, and it is said to be “the only fruit tree that embodies the qi of all four seasons”. Many friends who like growing flowers and plants want to plant a loquat tree at home, so how many years does it take for loquat seeds to bear fruit? What are the key points for cultivation?
1. How many years does it take for loquat seeds to bear fruit
Loquat seeds are not rare. Generally, they can be bought at seed stations or agricultural markets in areas where loquat is produced, and the price is generally around 20-30 yuan per jin. Markets differ from region to region, so the price will certainly vary somewhat. Loquat is distributed in most areas of our country, especially in the south. Among them, Tangqi Ruantiao Baisha in Yuhang District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang; Dongshan in Suzhou (Zhaozhong Baisha loquat); Xishan in Suzhou (Qingzhong loquat); and Baokeng Jiefangzhong in Putian, Fujian are China's three major loquat producing areas.
Loquat trees are not divided into male and female. Generally, it takes three years from sowing, transplanting, grafting and field planting, and then another four years before they can bear fruit. The fruit-bearing period is 10 to 40 years. Grafted seedlings bloom more easily than seedling-raised plants. If grown from seed, it takes a very long time, at least 5 years, while grafted seedlings generally need more than 3 years to bloom.
2. Key points for planting loquat
1. Loquat seeds have no dormancy period. Before sowing, the loquat pits should be screened, removing smaller and abnormally developed loquat seeds, and selecting large, plump loquat seeds, which can be sown after being washed and dried.
2. Loquat likes warmth and moisture. It should be grown in a sheltered, wind-protected, fertile and well-drained soil, with loose soil containing more sand or gravel being best.
3. The sowing period for loquat is from late May to early June. There are 2 sowing methods: broadcasting or drilling. After sowing, the seedbed should be immediately watered thoroughly, and the soil should be covered with moisture-retaining materials such as straw or fresh pigpen grass.
4. Loquat seedlings like shade, and their leaves are easily scorched by strong sunlight. After emergence, a shade shed should be set up with shade netting.
5. Loquat has low fertilizer requirements. When the seedlings grow 3-4 true leaves, diluted human waste or compound fertilizer can be applied once every half month, and weeds should be removed in time.
6. In the spring of the 2nd year, when the rootstock seedling diameter reaches more than 0.6 cm, grafting can be carried out. Those that do not meet the standard can be transplanted and cultivated until grafting the following year.
That is all for loquat. If you want to plant loquat trees on a large scale, it is better to first investigate the local climate and learn the relevant techniques before proceeding.