Detailed Explanation of Planting Methods and Techniques for the Pepper Tree
The Sichuan pepper tree (Zanthoxylum bungeanum) is a sapling that grows sharp thorns on the tree, and the fruit it bears is Sichuan pepper, which can not only be used as a seasoning, but can also be used to soak the feet to treat athlete's foot, and so on. Its application value is very high, and it has a certain planting prospect. So what are the planting methods for the pepper tree?
1. Soil selection
The Sichuan pepper tree is suitable for growing in fertile, deep sandy soil, so when selecting a site, try to choose fertile sandy loam for planting. After selecting the soil, plow the soil deeply, and apply an appropriate amount of farmyard manure, urea, superphosphate, etc. After fertilizing, it needs to be turned and sun-dried. After a few days, level the soil and remove weeds and the like.
2. Seed selection and seedling raising
(1) Seed selection: The seeds of the Sichuan pepper tree have relatively good water resistance. When selecting seeds, try to choose seeds with a plump appearance and glossy luster.
(2) Seed treatment: Soak the selected seeds in laundry detergent water with a concentration of 1% for four hours, then remove them and wash them with clean water before mixing with plant ash for sowing. Alternatively, put the seeds directly into warm water containing plant ash, add sand, and rub them with your hands until the seeds turn gray and lose their luster.
(3) Sowing: Evenly sow the treated seeds into the soil, cover with soil and water lightly.
3. Transplanting and field planting
(1) Transplanting time: Generally speaking, it can be divided into two planting seasons, spring and autumn. In high-altitude cold regions where the spring climate is dry and the soil has little moisture, autumn planting is preferable. At this time, if the pepper seedlings have grown relatively mature, they can be planted in August—September; if the tips of the pepper seedlings are relatively tender, planting can be postponed to September—October. When planting pepper seedlings in autumn, part of the tender tips and tender leaves should be pruned away to reduce water evaporation and improve the survival rate.
(2) Transplanting method: In order to ensure good growth and development of Sichuan pepper after field planting, large holes should be dug and sufficient base fertilizer applied when planting. Generally, the planting holes are 50—60 cm square, and each plant is given 3—5 kg of farmyard manure and 50 g of superphosphate. The fertilizer should be mixed evenly with the soil, and 100 g of fresh lime powder should be added to prevent root rot. After planting and filling with soil and irrigating, the holes should be covered with soil again to prevent evaporation of soil moisture in the holes. In places with a lot of crushed stone, the method of covering the holes with crushed stone has a better effect.
(3) Transplanting spacing: This is determined according to terrain, soil fertility, Sichuan pepper variety, and the growth management technical measures to be adopted in the future. The principles are: where the slope is steep, the plant and row spacing is small; where the slope is gentle, the plant and row spacing is large. Where the soil is fertile and thick, the plant and row spacing is large; where the soil is poor and thin, the plant and row spacing is small. Where the plant form is large, the plant and row spacing is large; where the plant form is small, the plant and row spacing is small. For example, if a flatland pepper orchard needs mechanized plowing, strip planting or wide-and-narrow row spacing can be used. It is necessary both to make full use of soil fertility and light energy and to adapt to the growth and development of Sichuan pepper, so as to achieve the goals of high yield, stable yield, good quality, and long life for Sichuan pepper.
4. Seedling management
(1) Pruning and shaping: For Sichuan pepper seedlings planted with leaves, if the branches and leaves become wilted and curled, some leaves can be cut off as needed to maintain a balance between water supply and demand, so as to help the seedlings survive. In windy areas, support poles should be set up beside the seedlings to prevent them from being blown about and affecting survival. If the seedlings become crooked due to irrigation, they should be straightened promptly.
(2) Water requirements: If there is a long drought with no rain, irrigate promptly. Once the surface soil is slightly dry, promptly hoe and loosen the surface soil to reduce soil moisture evaporation. However, the number of irrigations should not be too many, so as not to damage the soil structure and affect new growth. After planting, in order to reduce soil moisture evaporation, grass or crushed stone can also be used to cover the holes. At the same time, attention should also be paid to avoiding damage such as trampling by people and livestock.