How to propagate Forsythia seeds? Latest method explained in detail

Forsythia is sun-loving, has a certain degree of shade tolerance, prefers warm and humid climates, is also very cold-hardy, tolerant of drought and poor soil, afraid of waterlogging, not choosy about soil, and can grow normally in neutral, slightly acidic or alkaline soil. Propagation methods include seeds, cuttings, layering, division and so on. Now let us take a look together at the Forsythia seed propagation method!

Seed storage of Forsythia

Select vigorous superior individual plants with short and thick internodes, densely and plumply set flowers and fruits, no pests or diseases, and pure cultivar characteristics as mother trees. Pay attention to observing the flowering and fruiting periods, and grasp the suitable seed collection time. Collect in time to avoid the seeds falling off by themselves after maturity. Generally, mature fruits are collected from mid to late September to early October. Collect developed and mature Forsythia fruits with plump, large and heavy seeds, then spread them thinly in a ventilated and shady place, and thresh after drying in the shade. After careful selection and removal of impurities, select neat, plump seeds free of pests and diseases, and store them for seed. Storing Forsythia seeds under different conditions has an extremely great effect on their germination rate, such as storage in a desiccator being high.

Sowing time of Forsythia

Forsythia seeds germinate easily; it should be said that the seeds are suitable for germinating at relatively high temperatures. Based on the seed storage and germination conditions, combined with practical experience, the cultivation time can be arranged in spring or winter. Spring sowing is in early to mid April, and winter sowing is carried out before the soil freezes.

Seed propagation of Forsythia

1. Seed treatment: The seed coat of Forsythia seeds is relatively hard. Without pretreatment, direct sowing in the nursery field takes more than 1 month to germinate and emerge. Therefore, before sowing, germination-promoting treatment can be carried out. This method can be used in newly introduced planting areas. The specific method is to select mature and plump seeds, soak them in warm water at about 30°C for about 4 hours, then take them out and mix them with 3 times their volume of wet sand, place them in a wooden box or small vat, cover the top with plastic film, and place them in a wind-sheltered, sunny place. Turn them twice a day and keep them moist at all times. After more than 10 days, the seeds sprout and can be sown.

2. Sowing method: After sowing, seedlings can emerge in 8-9 days, about 20 days earlier than seeds that have not undergone pretreatment. If the soil is dry, first water the seedbed, and sow when the water has seeped down and the surface soil is slightly loose. Spring sowing is around “Qingming”, and winter sowing is before the soil freezes (the seeds do not need treatment and can emerge the next year). When sowing, on the prepared seedbed surface, open furrows 1 cm deep at a row spacing of 20-25 cm, mix the seeds with fine sand, evenly scatter them into the furrows, cover with soil and rake level, and press lightly.

3. Post-sowing management: Seedlings can emerge in 10-15 days, with a seeding rate of about 2-3 kg per mu. The soil covering must not be too thick, generally about 1 cm, and then cover with grass to keep moist. After the seeds emerge, remove the grass promptly. When the seedlings are 10 cm tall, thin them to a plant spacing of 10 cm. In early April of the second year, when the seedlings are about 30 cm tall, they can be transplanted to the field.