What are the newest varieties of prickly ash (Sichuan pepper) saplings?
Prickly ash saplings love light and are suited to warm, humid conditions and deep, fertile loam or sandy loam soil. They have strong suckering ability, are cold-tolerant, drought-tolerant, and highly disease-resistant, and their dormant buds live long, so they tolerate heavy pruning. They are not waterlogging-tolerant, and short-term waterlogging can cause death. Below, let us take a look at the price, varieties and planting techniques of prickly ash saplings!
The Price of Prickly Ash Saplings
The price of prickly ash saplings varies from place to place. The most expensive ones cost 1-2 yuan, and some cost more than 3 yuan per plant, while the normal price should be around 1-3 mao.
Varieties of Prickly Ash Saplings
At present, the more common varieties in production mainly include Dahongpao, Dahongjiao, Xiaohongjiao, Doujiao, Baishajiao, etc. A brief introduction follows:
1. Dahongpao: Dahongpao is also called Shizitou, Dahongjiao, Gedajiao, Qinjiao, Fengjiao, etc. It is an excellent prickly ash variety with a wide distribution range and the largest cultivated area in our country. It is now cultivated intensively and on a large scale in Wudu District, Longnan, Gansu, and other places.
2. Dahongjiao: Dahongjiao is also called Youjiao, Erhongpao, Erxingzi, etc. This variety has moderately strong tree vigor and an open tree form. It is cultivated in various places in the Northwest and North China, but cultivation is most concentrated in Hanyuan, Luding, Xichang and other places in Sichuan.
3. Xiaohongjiao: Xiaohongjiao is also called Xiaohongbao, Mijiao, Xiaojiaozi, Maweijiao, etc. This variety has moderate tree vigor, an open tree form, a large branching angle, and a flat-round crown. After sun-drying, the peel is bright red, with a rich numbing aroma, especially a strong fragrance and excellent quality. It is now cultivated in every province in North China, with cultivation concentrated in the southeastern region of Shanxi and the Taihang Mountain area of Hebei.
4. Baishajiao: Baishajiao is also called Bailijiao or Baishadan. This variety has moderate tree vigor and a relatively open tree form, and the prickles at the base of perennial branches often fall off. Baishajiao is a mid-season variety with strong high-yield and stable-yield performance, but its peel color is relatively poor and its market sales are not very good, so it is not suitable for large-scale cultivation; it is relatively common in Shandong, Hebei, Henan and Shanxi.
5. Doujiao: Doujiao is also called Baijiao. This variety has relatively strong tree vigor, an open tree form, and a large branching angle. In full fruit period, the tree height is 2.5—3.0 m. Current-year branches are greenish-white, one-year-old branches are light brownish-green, and perennial branches are grayish-brown. Doujiao is a late-maturing variety with strong resistance and high yield, and it is cultivated in Gansu, Shanxi, Shaanxi and other provinces.
Planting Techniques for Prickly Ash Saplings
1. Reasonable irrigation and fertilization: Irrigate more before June to promote the growth of branches and leaves. After July, irrigate less or not at all, and keep soil moisture at a level where the leaves do not wilt and autumn shoots do not grow excessively. Topdress in a timely and appropriate amount, and spray New High Lipid Film to greatly increase the utilization rate of the effective components of water and fertilizer. It is not afraid of evaporation under strong sunlight, can regulate water absorption, and protects against drought and rain.
2. During the flower bud differentiation period, use Flower Promotion King to promote nutrient regulation in the fruit tree, promote flower bud differentiation, inhibit excessive shoot growth, and balance alternate bearing. Spraying Prickly Ash Thick Stalk Spirit at the flower bud stage can thicken the nutrient vessels, ensure the needs of fruit growth and development, increase the fruit-setting rate, and produce thick peel, plump fruit, bright color, and a naturally rich fragrance.
3. Timely pest and disease control: To control pests such as aphids, red spiders, swallowtail butterflies, and slug moths that damage young leaves and tender shoots, carry out timely control according to the occurrence patterns of diseases and pests, and spray targeted pesticides to strengthen management. At every stage of the plant, strictly watch for the invasion of pests and diseases, carry out effective pesticide control according to the incidence in each growth period, and at the same time spray New High Lipid Film to improve pesticide efficacy, so that pathogens cannot settle on parts that have not yet developed disease.
4. Do a good job of tree pruning: Prune and trim seasonally according to the tree's growth condition (autumn pruning and winter pruning) to maintain a good tree form. Apply “Wound Healing and Antiseptic Film” to wounds caused by pruning to protect them, prevent pests and diseases from invading the tree through the wounds, prevent cracking, and protect the wounds so they heal early. Clean up debris in the prickly ash orchard thoroughly; centralized burning or high-temperature composting can eliminate overwintering pests and diseases. Turn and loosen the soil in the prickly ash orchard, strengthen deep digging under the trees, promote the emergence of new roots, strengthen root function, improve soil physicochemical properties, and improve soil structure. Spray New High Lipid Film to effectively preserve heat and prevent cold, and improve the orchard soil's ability to retain water and moisture in winter.