How to Plant Buddhist Pine Seeds? Latest Planting Method Explained in Detail
Buddhist pine (Podocarpus macrophyllus) is an evergreen coniferous tree of the genus Podocarpus in the family Podocarpaceae. It is cultivated in all provinces south of the Yangtze River, and is also distributed in Japan. It is now mainly used for potted ornamental display in both northern and southern regions and has extremely high ornamental value. At present, engineering seedlings with a diameter at breast height of more than 10 cm on the market mainly rely on imports. Let us take a look below at how to plant Buddhist pine seeds!
Growth Habits of Buddhist Pine
Buddhist pine prefers a warm and humid climate, has weak cold resistance and strong shade tolerance, and likes moist sandy loam with good drainage. It has strong adaptability to soil and can also survive on saline-alkali soil. It has relatively strong resistance to various polluting gases such as sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and nitrogen oxides, and has strong resistance to pests and diseases. In China it is produced in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hunan, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Guangdong and other places, and is cultivated in gardens as an ornamental tree. Wild trees are very rare.
Storage of Buddhist Pine Seeds
After Buddhist pine seeds are collected, try to place them in a relatively dry and ventilated place. The best condition for storing the seeds is a place without too strong light. An environment that is too hot or too humid will also affect the preservation of Buddhist pine seeds, and too large a temperature difference will cause Buddhist pine seeds to germinate early. The best way to store Buddhist pine seeds is to seal them well and put them in the refrigerator. Seeds preserved this way will neither germinate early nor lose their moisture.
Sowing of Buddhist Pine Seeds
Before sowing Buddhist pine seeds, soak the seeds for about 4 days so that they fully absorb water. Warm, cooled boiled water can be used for soaking, and seeds treated this way have a higher germination rate. When sowing, sow by row spacing, with 20 cm between each row and 10 cm between each plant. When sowing, the depth for burying the seeds is based on just covering the seeds, then cover them with grass to keep the seeds moist. After sowing, spray the seeds with water once a day. After 8 to 9 days from sowing, remove the grass cover and provide sun protection and shade; do not expose them to the sun.
Seedling Raising Techniques for Buddhist Pine
About 40 days after sowing, Buddhist pine seeds will germinate. Note the spacing between seedlings. Where they are too dense, transplant the small seedlings with soil to the empty places. Be careful not to let the newly sprouted seedlings be rained on, so as to ensure the survival rate of the seedlings. When the seedlings have grown to about 6 leaves, they can be appropriately watered with diluted biogas water. It is recommended not to use chemical fertilizers. Because the seedlings grow slowly, transplant after 1 year with a plant and row spacing of 20x20 cm, or move them into 15 cm nutritional bags, 1 plant per bag. Transplant again after another year with a plant and row spacing of 1x1 m. After 3 years of seedling cultivation, the seedlings can reach a height of 1 to 1.3 m, and the crown width can reach 1 sq m, with the tree crown forming a tower shape. They can be used for landscaping or continue to be grown into large seedlings.