How are Schima superba seeds selected? What are the seedling raising methods?
Schima superba is also called hemu, keshu, mu'ai tree, etc., and is a large tree of the genus Schima in the Theaceae family. Schima superba is a very important broadleaf tree species in China, not only good for ornamental landscaping but also possessing medicinal value, with functions mainly for external application to treat boils and unnamed swellings and toxins, so many nursery farmers like to grow Schima superba. In actual production, in order to better cultivate the growth of Schima superba, it is necessary to master the seed selection and seedling raising techniques of Schima superba.
How are Schima superba seeds selected?
The distribution range of Schima superba is very wide, which has also created its rich variety of cultivars, so when selecting seeds it is essential to suit measures to local conditions. At present, the more popular cultivated varieties include Schima superba var. khasiana, Schima superba var. superba, Indian Schima superba, sharp-toothed Schima superba, and so on. As for seeds, it is also necessary to choose seeds collected in the same year with superior quality and plump grains for sowing; generally, sowing in February to March is most suitable.
What are the seedling raising methods?
1. Seed collection and treatment
Generally, seed collection can be carried out from December to March of the following year. According to local actual conditions, when the capsules slightly split open, it proves that the Schima superba seeds have matured, and the seeds need to be collected in time. The collected capsules are first dried in the shade for 1-2d or buried in soil for several days, then exposed to the sun for 3-4d. After the fruit skin splits open, the seeds can be screened out. When treating the seeds, they can be soaked in 40°C warm water for 24h, replace the clean water once, and continue soaking for 24h. After 6-7d, the seeds split open; when more than 40% of the seeds have split open, they can be sown.
2. Site selection and land preparation
Schima superba likes acidic red soil, so special attention should be paid when choosing nursery land. If the nursery land is other soil, it should be replaced in time as appropriate. Prepare the land carefully, break the soil clods into fine pieces, and level the bed surface. Use 25% dexon mixed with fine sand to make medicinal soil, and spread it on the sowing bed before sowing, with a dosage of 4-6g/m 2. Finally, when the seedbed is 1m wide, sowing can be carried out.
3. Sowing method
Sow by broadcast sowing or drilling (mainly drilling). Sow with a row spacing of 20-30cm as the standard, and a depth of three cm is most suitable, using seven to nine kg of seed per mu. After sowing, cover with a thin layer of soil and rice straw, and water. After twenty days, seedlings can grow.
4. Large seedling cultivation
When cultivating large seedlings, try to choose a place with convenient transportation, sufficient water, flat terrain, and a slight slope, and at the same time try to ensure deep and fertile soil and sufficient sunlight. Level the seedbed, and arrange it into a low bed with a bed width of 2m. Thoroughly mix red soil, decomposed organic fertilizer, and superphosphate in a 90:9:1 ratio to make nutrient soil. Thoroughly mix the nutrient soil and medicinal soil in a 9:1 ratio, mix well, and put it into nutrient bags. The choice of nutrient bags is based on the requirements for seedlings in actual afforestation and landscaping, and different specifications of nutrient bags are selected to cultivate different specifications of seedlings. Nutrient bags of 8cm×12cm, 14cm×18cm, and 50cm×60cm can be selected.
5. Seedling stage management
(1) Weeding: Remove weeds in time. Weeding should follow the principle of removing early, removing small, and removing with roots. Before and after weeding, attention should be paid to spraying and watering.
(2) Watering: Nutrient bag seedling raising requires keeping the bag soil moist. If the weather is dry and the bag soil is relatively dry, it is necessary to water once every 7d. If it is rainy weather, then drainage work needs to be done well.
(3) Topdressing: After the nutrient bag seedlings grow 1-2 true leaves, start fertilizing once every 7d. According to the actual size of the seedlings, water the seedlings with urea at a concentration of 0.1%-0.25%. At the same time, according to the growth of the seedlings, foliar fertilization can also be carried out as a supplement, but attention should be paid to the fertilization time and concentration.
Overall, Schima superba has strong ornamental value and also good medicinal value. At the same time, it can also form multi-layered mixed forests with Pinus yunnanensis, Cunninghamia lanceolata, cypress, Keteleeria evelyniana, and alder for mixed afforestation, etc., and has good fire prevention and water conservation functions. Its economic value naturally goes without saying, so if growers want to cultivate strong seedlings and increase income, they must pay attention to accumulating experience in seed selection and seedling raising techniques.
For wonderful pictures and texts and popular comments about Schima superba seed selection and seedling raising, you may be interested in the following recommended content from Nongxun Network. Welcome to read.
Agricultural products you may be interested in: National high-quality Schima superba seed supply