How do you select Eucommia ulmoides seeds? What are the seedling-raising methods?
Eucommia ulmoides is a deciduous tree of the family Eucommiaceae and a precious tree species unique to China. As one of the traditional Chinese medicinal materials, the economic value of Eucommia ulmoides has long been favored by many growers. At present, the planting areas of Eucommia ulmoides have spread across the country, and in recent years, research and development have made use of the eucommia rubber extracted from the fruit peel, bark and leaves, making its comprehensive utilization value even broader and its development prospects very wide.
How do you select Eucommia ulmoides seeds?
Choose pure new seeds produced in the current year, plump and with few impurities, and at the same time master the method of distinguishing new seeds from old seeds. New seeds have glossy seed coats; after peeling off the seed coat, the seed is plump and yellow in color, and when broken it feels slightly flexible. Old seeds, however, have dull outer coats, and the kernel is black or dark yellow, brittle and easily broken. In addition, guard against new seeds being mixed with old seeds. The seeds used for spring sowing should be those collected in the autumn of the previous year.
What are the seedling-raising methods?
1. Seed treatment
Eucommia ulmoides seeds are difficult to germinate. This is because the seeds contain eucommia rubber, which affects the seeds' water absorption and swelling. In addition, the seeds need a period of low-temperature dormancy before they can germinate normally. Therefore, before sowing, the seeds must be treated to increase the germination rate. Eucommia ulmoides can be sown in autumn, winter or early spring. Sowing before the soil freezes in late autumn is best, and the seed germination rate is high.
2. Sowing method
Before sowing, plow the soil deeply, break it up finely and rake it level, water it thoroughly, and sow when the water has seeped down and the surface soil is loose. The sowing method for Eucommia ulmoides is generally drilling. When drilling, open furrows 3-4cm deep, with a row spacing of about 30~35cm. Then sow the treated seeds evenly into the furrows, and cover with 2-3cm of fine soil or fine sandy soil.
3. Seedling-stage management
After the seeds germinate, pay attention to cultivating and weeding, watering and fertilizing. Young seedlings dislike strong sunlight and need appropriate shading. In the dry season, spray irrigation should be done in time to prevent drought, and in the rainy season, guard against waterlogging. Combine cultivating and weeding with topdressing 4-5 times, each time applying 1-1.5 kilograms of urea per mu, or spraying Beibeijia medicinal-material leaf-protecting and stem-strengthening agent.
4. Pest and disease control
The main types of pests and diseases are: branch blight, brown spot disease, brown marmorated stink bug, ginkgo tussock moth, mole cricket, etc. In winter, combine cleaning the garden, sweep up dead branches and fallen leaves, treat them centrally, cover them tightly with soil and let them ferment and decompose, which both reduces disease contamination and accumulates fertilizer. At the same time, spray the whole garden with Sigao Te garden-clearing and anti-corrosion film to prevent the reproduction and spread of pathogens.
Overall, Eucommia ulmoides combines medicinal, landscaping, timber and environmental uses in one, and is a good economic tree species. Friends who want to grow Eucommia ulmoides well and increase their planting returns must master seed selection and seedling-raising techniques to support later management and growth and development.
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