Detailed Guide to Forsythia Planting Techniques and Management Methods
1. Site Selection and Land Preparation
Forsythia prefers a warm and humid environment and plenty of sunlight, but it is not afraid of shade, and its cold tolerance is also relatively strong. It has low requirements for soil and tolerates drought and poor soil, but it is afraid of waterlogging. Therefore, when planting, choose soil with deep soil layers, loose texture, and good drainage, so as to avoid water accumulation and root rot. Before land preparation, apply base fertilizer, generally 4000-5000 kg of farmyard manure per mu, then deep plow 30 cm, mix it evenly with the soil, rake it fine and level it, and then make beds. The beds are required to be 15 cm high and 1.5 m wide, with bed furrows 20-25 cm wide.
2. Sowing
Before sowing, the seeds must first be sprouted. First soak the seeds in gibberellin alcohol for 4 hours, which can break the dormancy period of forsythia seeds. Then mix the seeds with wet river sand and place them in an environment of 10-20 degrees for sprouting. Buds will appear in about one month. Sowing adopts the drill method. Sow the sprouted seeds well, then cover with straw curtains, which have the effect of keeping warm and moist, and seedlings will emerge the next year.
3. Planting Management
When the seedlings have grown to a certain extent, they can be transplanted and established. Apply a small amount of compound fertilizer, then place the seedlings into the pits, and cover with soil higher than the ground, so that water does not easily accumulate. During seedling growth, pay attention to weeds in the field and weed frequently to promote seedling growth. When forsythia grows to 80-100 cm, prune the top shoots, which can promote the growth of side branches. Keep 3-4 side branches on each seedling. In winter, cut off all old branches, diseased branches, weak branches, excessively vigorous branches, and pest- and disease-damaged branches to reduce nutrient consumption and also prevent pests and diseases. Water and fertilizer are indispensable for the growth of forsythia and should be managed according to the soil conditions, climate factors, and plant growth conditions of each region.