A Detailed Guide to the Cultivation Methods of the Eye of the Phoenix Fruit, Key Points of the Latest Cultivation Techniques
The eye of the phoenix fruit is also called pingpo (Sterculia monosperma), and its seeds are edible; when cooked, the taste is similar to that of chestnuts. Native to Asia, the eye of the phoenix fruit is used in various dishes in Guangdong and other regions; it is sweet and delicious, and has effects such as warming the stomach and expelling worms, and treating stomach pain. It is also a fruit tree with relatively high ornamental value, so how should the eye of the phoenix fruit be cultivated? Below, the editor brings you the cultivation methods of the eye of the phoenix fruit. Let's take a look!
1. Sowing and Raising Seedlings
The eye of the phoenix fruit was originally a wild tree species, with relatively strong adaptability and low requirements for soil, so when planting, we only need to choose soft, deep soil with sufficient fertility. When the eye of the phoenix fruit ripens, it will crack open automatically; at this time, we need to take out the seeds from the fruit. After the seeds are taken out, they must not be exposed to the sun, to prevent water loss from the seeds and affect seed germination. The humidity of the seedling bed must not be too high; it is enough that the soil forms a ball when squeezed by hand without leaking water. Before sowing, the seeds and the seedling bed also need to be disinfected. After sowing, the main work is shading and moisture retention. After about a week, seedlings will emerge, and then when the seedlings grow to about 30 cm, they can be transplanted and planted out in early spring.
2. Transplanting and Planting Out
As just mentioned, the time for transplanting and planting out the eye of the phoenix fruit should be chosen in spring. When transplanting, care should be taken to avoid injuring the seedlings. Especially the roots, try to avoid breaking them, otherwise it will have a certain impact on the growth of the eye of the phoenix fruit. Before planting out, first plan the planting density and dig the planting holes, then carry out land preparation, fine raking, and apply sufficient base fertilizer. The base fertilizer is mainly fully decomposed farmyard manure, and a small amount of chemical fertilizer can be added to improve soil fertility. This promotes the growth of seedlings after planting out, enhances nutrient absorption, and increases yield.
3. Field Management
The eye of the phoenix fruit likes to grow in a humid environment, and its drought resistance is very poor. Therefore, during the growth process of the eye of the phoenix fruit, especially during the flowering and fruiting period, it is necessary to water frequently to keep the soil moist. In summer and other high-temperature, dry seasons, it is best to irrigate the entire tree to promote flowering and fruiting and increase the fruiting rate. Because the eye of the phoenix fruit has strong branching ability, we also need to carry out proper shaping and pruning, cut off the upper part of the branches, promote the sprouting and growth of side branches, and shape the tree into an oval form to facilitate later management and harvesting. After harvesting, the overly long, overly dense, old, weak, and pest- or disease-damaged branches should also be pruned to improve the ventilation inside the canopy.
4. Pest and Disease Control
Pest and disease control for the eye of the phoenix fruit is very important. Common pests and diseases include anthracnose, psyllids, and so on. Pests and diseases can harm various organs and parts of the eye of the phoenix fruit tree, causing hindered growth, poor nutrient absorption, and being unfavorable for flowering and fruiting. Therefore, we should strengthen field management, do a good job in environmental sanitation, gather and clear fallen leaves and fruit and take them out of the orchard to reduce sources of infection. Then regularly disinfect the orchard, eliminate pathogens and insect eggs, prepare pest and disease control agents, prevent sudden outbreaks of pests and diseases, and inspect the orchard regularly, so that pests and diseases are discovered early and treated early.
The above is a brief introduction to the cultivation methods of the eye of the phoenix fruit. When cultivating the eye of the phoenix fruit, there are also many points to note. For example, water and fertilizer management, intertillage and weeding, and so on are actually basic management tasks we need to do well. Only when these management tasks are done well can we ensure the normal growth of the eye of the phoenix fruit and improve the flowering and fruiting rate. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only. Thank you for reading and supporting.