What are the key points of the seedling-raising techniques for red maple (Acer rubrum)?
Currently the market for red maple saplings is in a relatively chaotic state. The market prices of red maple saplings vary from region to region, which has caused red maple cultivation to enter a bottleneck period. There are many low-priced red maple seedlings on the market, but the number of pure varieties is scarce, so we need to increase the output of pure red maple saplings. So how should red maple be raised from seed? What kind of seedlings must be cultivated to be of good quality? Today let us study together the seedling-raising techniques for red maple.
1. Selection and preparation of the seedling site
Red maple has strong adaptability to the environment and is characterized by a preference for moisture, tolerance of drought and tolerance of cold. Generally, for the red maple seedling site we choose a sunny area with strong soil water- and fertilizer-retention capacity, good permeability and convenient irrigation conditions for planting. Secondly, the soil pH of the planting site is best slightly acidic, a sandy loam with a pH value of around six to seven. Before sowing, the land must be deep-ploughed at least 30 cm, the debris in the field cleaned up and disinfected, which can reduce the harm of some diseases and insect pests to red maple. Then add 5,000 kg of organic fertilizer to the soil, together with 100 jin of ternary compound fertilizer, plough and level again, and finally level the soil, open furrows and make beds, and wait for planting.
2. Seed treatment and germination forcing
Red maple seeds generally need to be treated before sowing, which can increase their germination rate. First prepare an appropriate amount of river sand, wet it with water, then put the red maple seeds into the wet sand and mix evenly, then place them in an environment with a temperature of three to four degrees for low-temperature sand storage. During the sand storage period, we must check regularly; it is not necessary to wait until all of them have germinated before planting. As soon as germinated seeds are found, they can be taken out and sown.
3. Sowing time and method
Red maple can be sown in spring and autumn, but most often we sow between March and April each year, when the emergence rate and survival rate of sowing are both higher. In autumn it is generally between August and October each year. Before sowing, wet the seedling site, then evenly scatter the seeds on the seedling bed, and cover with a thin layer of soil to bury the seeds. If we want to increase its emergence speed, we can also build a plastic shed, or cover with plastic film, straw, etc.; but attention must be paid to ventilation. Under normal management, generally more than half a month after sowing the red maple seedlings will emerge completely.
4. Seedling-stage management
After the red maple seedlings emerge, their growth speed is very slow, and their resistance is also very poor, so they need careful tending. We should frequently spray water on the red maple seedlings so that the soil has a certain humidity, and during this period we must promptly clean up the weeds growing in the field. Of course, appropriate loosening of the soil and earthing up can also be carried out, which can avoid lodging and at the same time improve the permeability of the soil and promote the absorption and utilization of nutrients. When the red maple seedlings grow to about 15 cm, thinning must be carried out: pull out those with diseases and insect pests, the thin and weak ones, and the small seedlings, and at the same time carry out appropriate replanting. Finally, according to the growth of the red maple seedlings, carry out topdressing to promote the growth of the saplings and improve their resistance. When diseases and insect pests occur, spray pesticide promptly for control.
That is all for the seedling-raising techniques for red maple that the editor wants to introduce to everyone today. We hope that in the planting process afterwards you can cultivate even better-quality red maple saplings.