How to Grow a Bodhi Tree? Cultivation Methods and Points to Note

The Bodhi tree has excellent symbolism and is a tree full of Buddhist nature and wisdom. Many people are willing to keep Bodhi tree seedlings as potted plants at home, so how do you grow a Bodhi tree?

1. For seed propagation, choose a robust mother plant over 10 years old, and collect seeds in November when the fruit turns red-black. Rub the collected fruit repeatedly, remove the flesh, residue and skin fragments to extract the seeds, dry them slightly and they are ready for sowing. Generally, broadcast sowing on a sand bed is used. Before sowing, press the bed surface slightly with a small wooden board, level the bed surface, and spread the seeds evenly over the bed surface. When sowing, avoid seeds overlapping into small clumps; try to spread every seed evenly on the bed surface.

2. After sowing, sift a thin layer of fine soil over the seeds, just enough to cover the seeds. After sowing, use rice straw or a shade net to build a shade shed to reduce water evaporation from the seedbed and keep the bed surface moist. At the same time, scatter ant-killing powder and the like around the sand bed to prevent the seeds from being damaged by ants, mole crickets and others when they germinate. Because Bodhi tree seeds have no dormancy habit, they germinate and emerge about 10 days after sowing, and the seeds will germinate successively.

3. When about half have germinated, uncover all the rice straw, provide appropriate shade, and water thoroughly every morning and evening. When the seedlings grow to 2—4 cm, transplant them into 10 cm×12 cm nutrient bags previously filled with soil (surface soil with relatively high humus content) for cultivation. After the seedlings are transplanted into the nutrient bags, use sun-shade netting to build a shed for shade, and water thoroughly morning and evening. After the seedlings resume growth, irrigate the roots every 7 days with a 0.1% aqueous solution of urea + Norway compound fertilizer.

4. After root irrigation, pour in a small amount of water (nurseries with the conditions can use a sprinkler head to spray water), which helps the seedlings absorb water and fertilizer. When the seedlings grow to about 15 cm, the water-fertilizer concentration can be increased to 0.2%—0.3%. At the same time, take corresponding measures to prevent diseases. When the seedlings grow to 30—50 cm, they can leave the nursery. Bodhi tree branches also root easily from cuttings. In spring or autumn, you can choose a robust mother plant 8—15 years old.