Egg Tree Planting Methods and Key Technical Points
We may not be very familiar with the egg tree, but recently the egg tree suddenly became popular online, because someone made a video of the egg trees they planted, which were covered with fruits that look just like eggs, so it became very popular for a while. In fact, the egg tree is also known as the gold-and-silver eggplant (Solanum melongena var. ovigerum), but unlike ordinary eggplants, it can be eaten raw directly, and its taste is quite good. Its price on the market is currently very favorable, so many people, partly out of curiosity and partly because they can make money, want to grow egg trees. So today Qinnong Net is giving everyone a special treat here.
1. Choosing the Site
Although the egg tree originated in our country, for a long period there was basically no trace of the egg tree in our country, and it had already adapted to the climate environment and soil structure of Europe and America. Upon returning, it will certainly need to re-adapt to our country's environment, so the planting land is the basic condition for the growth of the egg tree. Its growing temperature must be maintained at around 25 to 30 degrees, so we can use greenhouses for heat preservation. Secondly, the soil structure of the planting land should be relatively complete, the soil texture relatively loose, the soil layer relatively deep, the soil water-holding capacity relatively strong, the soil pH moderate, and plots rich in organic matter are most suitable for planting.
2. Sowing
Since the egg tree needs a growing temperature above 25 degrees, sowing is generally chosen in March or April, so that the egg tree can take root and sprout more quickly. First, we soak the egg tree seeds for 12 hours, then take the seeds out and place them in an environment at 28 degrees for germination. When most of the seeds have sprouted white, they can then be sown. For sowing, we generally use the hole-sowing or drill-sowing method, which makes later planting easier. Before sowing, the land needs to be watered once, then the seeds are evenly scattered, then covered with a thin layer of soil. Finally, a layer of straw or plastic film can be laid on top. After the sprouts grow out, the straw and film must be removed in time.
3. Watering
The growth of the egg tree has relatively high water requirements. Normally, watering once a day is generally enough, but in summer when the weather is relatively hot, watering is usually needed twice, and if the temperature is very high, then at least three waterings are needed per day. There are two watering methods: one is spraying, and the other is irrigation. When the humidity in the growing environment is relatively low, we can use spraying; at other times, irrigation is used. However, the amount of watering must also be reasonable and must not be excessive, because excessive watering will cause the roots of the egg tree to rot, causing the plant to wither.
4. Fertilizing
For fertilizing, we must maintain one principle: apply heavy base fertilizer and frequent thin fertilizer, so as to ensure the yield of the egg tree. During the entire growth period of the egg tree, we need at least three to four topdressings. The first is after planting, mainly with organic decomposed fertilizer. The second is when the egg tree has strong seedlings; at this time we can add an appropriate amount of urea. The third fertilizing is when the egg tree blooms, in order to promote flowering and preserve fruit, so we generally use foliar fertilizer, which is what we often call potassium fertilizer. The fourth fertilizing is, of course, fruit-strengthening fertilizer, so that the fruits can grow large and tender.
5. Disease Prevention
The egg tree generally has no pests or diseases. Occasionally, when the egg tree grows too vigorously and the planting density is not very reasonable, it will cause the field to be relatively shady and breed bacteria. Therefore, our main prevention and control method is to regularly prune branches and leaves and maintain a reasonable density, and then there will basically be no problem. After disease occurs, we can use chlorothalonil solvent for prevention and control. Finally, the egg tree can also suffer from red spider mites and mite pests, which we can control using trichlorfon solvent.