How to select pearl millet seeds? What are the seedling raising methods?
Pearl millet, also called pearl millet and candle barnyard millet, is also called ornamental millet by horticulturists because its appearance is especially similar to the foxtail millet grown in China. Pearl millet has a wide adaptability to warm conditions. In its place of origin, the annual average temperature reaches 23-26°C, and in terms of temperature ecotype it belongs to the high-temperature plants. After being introduced into China, it grows especially luxuriantly in warm, rainy areas, with strong regrowth ability and high biomass. So how should pearl millet seeds be selected? What are the seedling raising methods? Let's take a look together below.
1. How should pearl millet seeds be selected?
To grow pearl millet, choose seeds with purity ≥95%, cleanliness ≥98%, germination rate ≥80%, and moisture content ≤8%, and be sure not to choose old seeds more than two years old, as this will affect the seedling emergence rate of pearl millet. Store pearl millet seeds in a cool, dry place. After sowing, the thickness of the soil covering the seed surface should be 1-2 times the diameter of the seed.
2. What are the seedling raising methods for pearl millet?
1. Seed seedling raising
Ornamental millet is generally raised from seed, which is specifically divided into 2 methods: direct sowing and seedling transplanting. Direct sowing is often done in pots. According to the size of the pot, sow 1 hole, 3 holes, or 5 holes per pot, with 1~2 seeds per hole, then cover with about 1 cm of soil (if the soil cover is too thick, it is difficult for the needle-like seedlings to emerge; if the soil cover is too thin, the seedlings are prone to lodging), and then water thoroughly after sowing.
2. Seedling raising methods
Seedling raising is often done in square seedling trays or small plastic pots. The seedling substrate should be loose and fertile, commonly mixed from garden soil, peat soil, and leaf mold. Sow 2~3 seeds in each cell or each pot, then sift on a layer of fine sand or rare earth, and finally use a fine-spout watering can to moisten the substrate. Seedlings will emerge 5~7 d after sowing. When the seedlings are 6~8 cm tall, transplant and set them in place. After planting, they will produce spikes in 50~60 d, flower in 30~40 d after spikes appear, and the seeds will mature in 25~30 d after fruiting. From sowing to harvesting seeds, one harvest cycle is about 110~120 d.
3. Seedling stage management
The small seedlings of ornamental millet are often planted in the center of flower beds, on both sides of flower borders, and in street-center gardens. They can also be transplanted and set in community green spaces, garden edging, large combined potted plants, and other places. The planting site should be weeded, loosened, and dug with holes. The size of the holes is determined by the size of the seedling pot and the amount of soil ball carried. Generally, the length, width, and depth are 12~15 cm, and the hole spacing is 40~50 cm. When planting, do not let the soil ball or original soil loosen. Planting should not be too deep or too shallow; it is best for the surface of the soil ball to be level with the ground surface, then fill in crushed fine soil layer by layer. The seedlings should be held upright and pressed firm, and finally water thoroughly to settle the roots. After they survive, just keep the soil moist.
The above is an introduction to pearl millet. The stems, leaves, and fruit spikes of pearl millet are wheat-green when young, and later gradually change into various colors such as wheat purple, pink purple, purple red, purple ink, and dark purple. They are glossy and beautiful, with great ornamental value. In addition, the young stems and leaves of pearl millet can be used as feed, and the seeds can be used as grain and for brewing liquor, so the application prospects are very broad.
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