A Detailed Guide to Selecting and Growing Pistacia chinensis Seeds
Pistacia chinensis, also known as Huanghuanglian tree, Huanglian tea, and other names, is a tree in the Anacardiaceae family, genus Pistacia, native to China, and an important oil and timber tree species for afforestation on arid limestone mountains. In addition, Pistacia chinensis has a tall, full crown and slender, graceful leaves, and can also be used as an urban ornamental landscaping tree species. In recent years, influenced by the market and seedling-growing techniques, the demand for Pistacia chinensis seedlings has continued to rise. So how should Pistacia chinensis seeds be selected? What are the seedling-growing methods? Let's find out together.
How should Pistacia chinensis seeds be selected?
Pistacia chinensis seeds are best when they are plump, dark in color, slightly glossy, and dry on the surface with no dust or foreign matter. When purchasing, choose a legitimate seller with all three certificates, and also check some important parameters on the product packaging, such as purity (high) ≥90%, germination rate (high) ≥40%, etc. When sowing, you should also choose Pistacia chinensis seeds with a high germination rate and high purity.
What are the seedling-growing methods?
1. Seed collection
Generally, choose mother trees that are 20-40 years old, grow vigorously, and have high yield for seed collection. From September to November, when the drupes change from green to copper-green, pick the fruit clusters. Mature, plump seeds are copper-green, while the red ones are mostly empty grains damaged by the Pistacia chinensis seed wasp.
2. Seed treatment
For autumn sowing and growing seedlings right after collection, the seeds do not need treatment; sow the seeds that have been de-waxed and air-dried directly before the soil freezes in late autumn. Autumn sowing germinates early the following spring and eliminates the need to store the seeds. However, autumn sowing is not suitable in areas with severe winter drought or serious damage from birds and animals.
3. Site selection and land preparation
Choose a nursery site with full sun, good drainage, and deep, fertile sandy loam soil. Apply 3 kg of 50% carbendazim and 10 kg of black alum per 667 sq m to disinfect the soil, and apply 4000-5000 kg of decomposed barnyard manure and 100 kg of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium compound fertilizer.
4. Sowing
Autumn sowing is done in October-November, and spring sowing in March. The furrow drilling method is mostly used. The row spacing is 30 cm, the sowing furrow depth is 3 cm, and the sowing width is about 5 cm. Scatter the seeds evenly into the furrow and cover with 2-3 cm of soil. Press down lightly, then cover with weeds, straw, or grass felt.
5. Seedling management
Pistacia chinensis generally emerges in about 20-25 days. When the seedlings have all emerged, remove the grass felt, plastic film, or other mulch. The first thinning is carried out when the seedlings are 3-4 cm tall, and when the seedlings are 15 cm tall, final thinning is carried out along with cultivating and weeding, with a plant spacing of 10-15 cm. Spray 0.02% potassium dihydrogen phosphate once every 7 days for 3 consecutive sprays. In June-July, apply more mixed nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizer. After August, mainly apply potassium fertilizer and stop applying nitrogen fertilizer. Loosen the soil and weed promptly after irrigation or rain.
The above is an introduction to the selection of Pistacia chinensis seeds and seedling-growing methods. Nowadays, more and more people like to grow Pistacia chinensis as bonsai at home. I believe that after learning these seed selection and seedling-growing techniques, you too can grow beautiful Pistacia chinensis.
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