How much does a bunch of silver bud willow flowers cost? Detailed explanation of cutting time and method

Silver bud willow, also known as silver willow, is a common plant of the family Salicaceae in northern regions. It is widely planted because of its effects in afforestation and landscaping, and since it can be dyed, many people place it indoors to enhance the decorative effect. So how much does a bunch of silver bud willow flowers generally cost? When should it be cut? How should it be cut?

Bouquet price:

Generally 10 yuan per bunch, but there is a limit per tree; however, if you buy a lot, the price is different. For specifics, you can inquire at major markets.

Cutting time:

In Northeast China, the cutting time is chosen in spring. Because silver willow likes light, likes warmth, tolerates moisture, and prefers fertile, loose, moist soil, spring is just right.

Cutting techniques:

1. Land preparation

Choose a flat plot with fertile humus for land preparation. Since silver willow likes fertilizer, apply sufficient base fertilizer before land preparation. The base fertilizer is mainly decomposed organic fertilizer, mainly cow, sheep, horse, and chicken manure. After fertilizing, plow deeply. Silver willow has a well-developed root system, so the soil needs to be plowed 45cm deep. After plowing, rake it level and fine, pick out stones, tree roots, and other debris, and make large ridges 50cm wide and 35cm high. Prepare the land in autumn; if conditions allow, water once thoroughly after land preparation.

2. Cuttings

In Northeast China, choose spring to cut the cuttings. Select branch sections that are robust in growth, full in twig, plump in leaf buds, free of pests and diseases, and 1-3cm in diameter to cut the cuttings. Cut the cuttings into 18-22cm lengths, and each cutting should have at least 3 or more leaf buds. When cutting the cuttings, be sure to protect them from bark damage. After cutting, place them in a cool place for processing. Keep the cuttings for later use.

3. Cutting treatment

Before cutting, treat the cuttings with naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), which can greatly increase the survival rate of cuttings. Treatment method: prepare a 40mg/L solution of naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), place the part of the cutting to be inserted into the solution, and soak for 3-5h. The soaking time can be determined according to the degree of lignification of the cutting; cuttings with better lignification should be soaked longer.

4. Cutting

In Northeast China, the cutting time is chosen in spring. Insert the treated cuttings into the bed at a row spacing of 25cm and a plant spacing of 15, at a 45-degree angle. The insertion depth should be such that more than 3 buds are exposed above ground. In arid areas and sandy nursery lands, the upper end of the cutting should be level with the ground. To prevent water evaporation, the upper end of the cutting can be covered with soil, and when it is about to sprout, remove the covering soil. After cutting, press the soil around the cuttings so that the cuttings and soil are tightly combined, water once thoroughly, and then spray the ridge surface with a 0.5% carbendazim solution for disinfection to prevent bacterial infection. To avoid death of the cuttings caused by strong light, a shade shed needs to be built.

Post-cutting management

1. Remove the shed. Once the cuttings are confirmed to have survived, remove the shade shed to let light through, raise the temperature, and promote the growth of the cuttings.

2. Watering. After cutting, water thoroughly; if one watering is not enough, water thoroughly a second time. Before the cuttings take root, the soil moisture content should be kept at 65%-70%, and water should be adjusted according to the weather and soil moisture conditions.

3. Loosening the soil. After each watering, loosen the soil in time to maintain good aeration and facilitate rooting. Avoid soil compaction in the seedbed.

4. Weeding. Combine weeding with soil loosening. The principle of weeding is to weed early and weed small. When weeding and loosening the soil, be careful not to damage the seedlings.

5. Topdressing. After the cuttings take root and the seedlings survive, apply 1-2 topdressings of nitrogen fertilizer in time to promote root growth, applying 35kg of nitrogen fertilizer per mu. Before autumn arrives, apply 1 topdressing of phosphorus fertilizer, applying 20kg of phosphorus fertilizer per mu. Alternatively, in the early stage of cutting survival, apply a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer, applying 25kg of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer per mu.

6. Removing tillers and buds. When the cuttings produce many young branches, in order to concentrate the nutrients of the seedlings and accelerate the growth of strong seedlings, remove tillers and buds in time to ensure the survival of the cuttings.

7. Pest and disease control. In the early stage of cuttings, pests and diseases rarely occur, so prevention should be the main approach. When cutting, use a 5% concentration of potassium permanganate to clean the cuttings and spray the seedbed for disinfection. After cutting, use a 30% carbendazim 1000-fold solution to disinfect the soil. One week after cutting, check the cuttings in time; if rot or pests and diseases occur, remove them in time.