How much does a longan seedling cost? Detailed planting methods
Longan is one of the famous fruit trees of southern and southeastern China, most abundant in Guangdong, followed by Fujian, and also found wild or semi-wild in open forests in Yunnan and southern Guangxi; it is also often cultivated in southern and southeastern Asia. Among the more highly regarded domestic varieties are Guangdong's Shixia longan and Fujian's Puming'an, Wulongling and Youtanben. Let's take a look at longan seedling prices and planting methods below!
Market prices of longan seedlings
The market price of longan seedlings is about 3 to 10 yuan each, but prices vary greatly with variety, specification and place of origin. Longan is a subtropical fruit tree that prefers high temperatures and humidity; temperature is the main factor affecting its growth and fruiting. Generally, places with an annual average temperature above 20°C can grow and develop well. Longan is also drought-tolerant, acid-tolerant and barren-tolerant, but dislikes waterlogging. It grows well on red-soil hilly land and dry flat land, is easy to cultivate, has a long lifespan, high yield and large economic returns.
What varieties of longan trees are there?
1. Shixia longan: Shixia longan is a famous fresh-eating variety with a long cultivation history. The original stock came from Pingzhou, Nanhai, Guangdong, and it has spread widely to Guangdong, Guangxi and other places. It has three strains: Huangke Shixia, Qingke Shixia and Gongfenke Shixia. It ripens in early to mid-August and is an early-maturing variety.
2. Puming'an: The Puming'an tree has a semi-round to round head-shaped crown, moderate vigor and a relatively upright posture. The fruit is nearly flat-round and uniform in size. It ripens from late August to early September, with high and stable yields. The fruit is relatively large and of top quality, but the thin skin makes it unsuitable for drying.
3. Wulongling: The Wulongling tree has a round head-shaped crown, vigorous growth and a semi-spreading posture. The fruit is relatively large and uniform in size, with high sugar content and a high drying rate, and the shell does not sink in, making it the best variety for drying; it is also suitable for fresh eating, but it drops fruit easily and tends to bear fruit in alternate years.
4. Youtanben: Youtanben has stable yields, a later ripening period, relatively large fruit and above-average quality, with high sugar content. After baking, the shell does not sink in and does not crack easily, making it a good variety for dried fruit in the Putian area; it is also suitable for fresh eating. However, it is susceptible to "witches' broom" disease, and the stone is large, so the edible rate is relatively low.
Grafting methods for longan trees
1. Scion selection: For longan trees undergoing low grafting, the tree age can be long or short, but from the perspective of ease of operation, middle-aged and young trees under 10 years old are best.
2. Rootstock selection: For middle-aged and young longan trees under 10 years old, 1st-order or 2nd-order oblique main branches can be selected as grafting rootstocks, with a branch diameter of about 3 to 10 cm. Usually, 2 to 3 rootstocks can be selected for 3- to 5-year-old trees, 3 to 5 for 6- to 9-year-old trees, and 3 to 10 for mature trees.
3. Grafting method
① Grafting cut: Use a grafting knife to cut a 1.5 to 2 cm incision parallel to the rootstock on each of the upper and lower sides of the rootstock saw cut, deep into the xylem. Twist the blade slightly toward the xylem, then quickly release the grafting knife; this is the grafting interface.
② Whittle the scion: The scion should preferably be 5 to 6 cm long, with 1 to 2 plump axillary buds at the upper end. Cut the lower end at about a 45-degree angle to the scion, and cut a long cut surface on the front and back of the lower cut end similar in length to the rootstock incision, deep into the xylem. Both the cut end and the cut surface must be smooth.
③ Insert into the interface: Point the lower cut end of the scion toward the rootstock, align it with the interface, and gently insert it along the interface so that its long cut surface fits tightly against the bark, while pressing firmly with the hand.
④ Tie the interface tightly: First tie the interface tightly with special plastic film for grafting, then wrap the rootstock and scion. The axillary bud part of the scion needs to be wrapped with a single layer of film.
⑤ Apply pesticide to prevent insects: Sprinkle insecticidal powder on the interface and the rootstock saw cut to prevent ants and insects from biting through the film.
Planting methods for longan trees
1. Site selection: The longan planting site should have loose soil, a deep soil layer, good aeration and strong water- and fertilizer-retention capacity. The orchard should be built in an area close to a water source; if water can be diverted and a pond built to ensure spraying and irrigation during drought, sloping land can also be planted.
2. Variety selection: The choice of longan cultivation varieties mainly depends on market demand, the adaptability of the variety in the cultivation area and the level of cultivation technology, such as Shixia longan, Puming'an, Wulongling, Youtanben and so on.
3. Seedling selection: Selecting seedlings for longan cultivation is an important technical step. The variety must be pure and true, the plant must grow vigorously, the leaves must be dark green, the fibrous roots must be well developed, and there must be no pests or diseases. Grafted seedlings should have more than two mature shoots above the graft union.
4. Digging planting holes: The size of the longan planting hole mainly determines how much organic fertilizer is used for soil improvement. The base fertilizer filled into the hole mainly includes topsoil, weeds, pond mud, garbage and pig and cattle pen manure and chicken manure. The hole can be backfilled in layers or mixed, and after backfilling it should be composted for 1 to 2 months before planting.
5. Planting time: Longan trees can be planted in all seasons except winter. Generally, planting in spring (before the spring shoots emerge and grow) is best, but planting should not be too dense; 30 to 50 plants per mu is suitable.
6. Planting method: For longan planting, it is suitable when the loose soil in the planting hole settles and the root crown is level with the ground or 3 to 5 cm below the ground. Water thoroughly to settle the roots. After planting, water to keep the soil moist, and try to avoid planting seedlings on rainy days.