What is the price of Chinese holly seeds? Detailed guide to planting methods
Chinese holly (Ilex cornuta) is an excellent ornamental tree species, also known as cat's thorn, tiger thorn, eight-horn thorn, etc. It is an evergreen shrub or small tree of the genus Ilex in the family Aquifoliaceae, with peculiar leaf shapes, bright green and glossy, evergreen all year round, covered with red fruits after autumn, not withering through winter, gorgeous and lovely, often used for Christmas decorations in European and American countries. Let's take a look at Chinese holly seed prices and planting methods below!
How much is Chinese holly seed per jin?
The price of Chinese holly seeds is about 15-30 yuan per jin, but prices vary due to differences in seed quality, variety, market, etc. Chinese holly grows in thickets on hillsides and hills, in open forests, and near roadsides, streams and cottages. It is drought-tolerant, prefers fertile acidic soil, is not tolerant of saline-alkali soil, is relatively cold-hardy, can overwinter outdoors in the Yangtze River basin, and can withstand a brief low temperature of -5°C. It likes sunlight but can also tolerate shade, and is suitable for growing in a shady and humid environment.
Sowing methods for Chinese holly
Chinese holly is mostly propagated by sowing and cuttings. For sowing propagation, mature seeds can be collected from September to October. The seeds need 3 months of after-ripening before they can germinate. They can be stored in layered sand and sown in March to April of the following year, with a relatively high germination rate. However, for the colored-patterned varieties of Chinese holly, seedlings will show atavism and the leaf color will turn green.
Planting methods for Chinese holly
1. Transplanting: Chinese holly can be transplanted in spring and autumn, with March to April in spring or autumn transplanting with soil being better. Because Chinese holly has few fibrous roots, special care must be taken to prevent the root ball from breaking apart during operation, and part of the branches and leaves should be pruned to reduce transpiration, otherwise it will be difficult to survive.
2. Watering: Chinese holly is drought-tolerant, but during the vigorous growth period it needs frequent watering. Generally, the potting soil should be kept moist without water accumulation. In summer, water should often be sprayed on the leaves to facilitate evaporation and cooling.
3. Fertilizing: Chinese holly prefers fertile conditions. Generally, in spring, apply dilute cake fertilizer water once every 2 weeks; in autumn, apply topdressing once a month; in summer, no fertilizing is needed; in winter, apply fertilizer once.
4. Pruning: Chinese holly has strong sprouting ability and is very tolerant of pruning. For shaped bonsai works, unnecessary water sprouts, sprouting branches and excess buds can usually be pruned to maintain a certain tree shape.
5. Repotting: Chinese holly bonsai is usually repotted once every 2-3 years, often in February to March in spring, or after autumn when the tree enters dormancy. When repotting, part of the old roots can be trimmed, sufficient base fertilizer applied, 1/2 of the old soil retained, and the plant repotted.
6. Pests and diseases: Chinese holly has very few pests and diseases. Sometimes branches develop sooty mold caused by psyllids. From April to May before the plum rain season, spray Bordeaux mixture or lime sulfur mixture once every 10 days. When harmed by scale insects, spraying lead arsenate can kill them.