How much does a deciduous shrub Forsythia sapling cost? Detailed explanation of flowering period and care methods
Forsythia, also known as Huanghuagan or Huangshoudan, is a deciduous shrub commonly found on hillsides and in forests in our country. Because it has effects such as clearing heat and detoxifying, relieving pain, and regulating menstruation, it is widely used as medicine. So how much does a Forsythia sapling cost? When does it bloom? How to care for it?
Sapling price:
According to mall prices, Forsythia saplings cost around ten yuan. However, due to differences in place of origin, variety, and the age of the saplings, the price of Forsythia saplings varies slightly. The actual price should be based on the local market.
Flowering time:
Under normal circumstances, the flowering period of Forsythia is in early spring, mainly concentrated in March to April. When it blooms, the color is vivid, the whole tree is covered with yellow flowers, and it gives off a faint fragrance.
However, Forsythia sometimes blooms out of season. Generally, in autumn or winter when Forsythia does not normally bloom, it is still possible to see Forsythia in flower. This is a typical phenomenon of blooming twice, and it is relatively rare.
Why can it bloom out of season?
The out-of-season flowering of Forsythia is related to the differentiation of its flower buds in summer and autumn. If the growing conditions are relatively suitable and the temperature remains around 14°C for a long time, then the growth of Forsythia will become disordered and a second bloom will occur. However, this phenomenon lasts for a short time, generally only about ten days. If the temperature drops relatively quickly, then the Forsythia flowers will soon wither.
In addition, out-of-season flowering of Forsythia may also be affected by the microenvironment. If the small environment where Forsythia grows is in a sheltered place with a relatively high temperature, then it may induce Forsythia to bloom.
Harm of out-of-season flowering
When Forsythia blooms at a time when it should not, although it creates a relatively peculiar landscape, it still causes certain harm. Out-of-season flowering consumes the nutrients of Forsythia early, which will affect the flowering of the next year and also affect fruiting.
However, out-of-season flowering can also be used to cultivate a different landscape and reflect different economic benefits.
Reasons for blooming but not fruiting:
1. Low seed-setting rate from self-pollination
The fruiting rate of Forsythia is very low. On the one hand, this is because the seed-setting rate of Forsythia from self-pollination is extremely low, basically around 4%. Only cross-pollination has a higher seed-setting rate, but home cultivation generally cannot carry out cross-pollination.
2. Vigorous shoots disperse nutrients
On the other hand, this is because the branches and trunks of Forsythia grow vigorously. Every spring, many vigorous shoots are produced. These vigorous shoots have no ornamental value and also cause the nutrients of the main branches to be dispersed, thus leading to a low fruiting rate in Forsythia.
Solutions:
1. Promote cross-pollination
When transplanting, plant long-styled plants and short-styled plants alternately to promote cross-pollination.
2. Prune reasonably
After Forsythia is planted, when it reaches about 1 m tall, cut off the top shoot after leaf fall in winter, and pinch the tips in summer to encourage more branching. From these, choose 3-4 well-developed side branches in different directions and cultivate them as main branches.
3. Fertilize reasonably
After pruning Forsythia, apply decomposed compost or barnyard manure, or apply superphosphate as well. Dig pits beside the plant, apply the fertilizer, then cover with soil, earth up around the roots, and bank the soil to promote robust growth of young trees and more flowering and fruiting.
Planting techniques:
1. Soil selection: Forsythia is suitable for growing in fertile, well-drained calcareous soil, with relatively fertile garden soil being the best.
2. Fertilization: In spring and autumn, apply a decomposed dilute liquid fertilizer or compound fertilizer to Forsythia every 15-20 days. In summer, stop fertilizing. In autumn, you can also spray the leaves with fertilizers with a relatively high phosphorus content such as potassium dihydrogen phosphate to promote the formation of flower buds.
3. Temperature: Forsythia has no strict requirements for climate. It likes a warm environment and is also relatively resistant to cold. It can tolerate a semi-shaded environment.
4. Light: Forsythia likes a sunny environment. Usually, provide it with good light, but do not expose it to long-term direct sun.
5. Watering: Forsythia is relatively tolerant of drought and can also grow well in a moist and humid environment. Therefore, watering does not need to be too frequent. Watering once a week is enough to ensure its growth.