How to plant the drought lotus? A detailed guide to the artificial breeding techniques of the city flower of Hanzhong City
The drought lotus is also called the "spring-answering tree". Because its flowers resemble lotus blossoms when they bloom and it grows on dry land, it has the beautiful reputation of "lotus of the dry land". In 2000, the drought lotus flower was designated by the Hanzhong Municipal Government as the "city flower" of Hanzhong City. Many people want to know how to plant the drought lotus. Below, the editor will tell you about the artificial breeding techniques of the drought lotus, the city flower of Hanzhong City.
1. Artificial breeding
In the 1970s, after many experiments, researchers in Mian County successfully grafted the drought lotus and cultivated batch after batch of drought lotus seedlings, allowing this rare ancient tree to reproduce and continue. The Mian County Landscape Station and Mian County Nursery conducted sexual propagation by seed from 1981 to 1984, with an average seedling emergence rate of 21% and an average first-year seedling height of 60 cm; from 1983 to 1987, they conducted cut-grafting trials. 178 grafted plants survived, with a survival rate of more than 80%, and 84 plants survived single-bud side grafting, with a survival rate of 47.7%; the first-year seedlings of the 2 vegetative propagation methods reached 130.4 cm in height, formed lateral branches in the 2nd year after survival, and could bloom in the 4th year.
2 Collection and treatment of seeds
1.1 Seed collection
Generally in early to mid-August, because bird damage is relatively serious, the fruit can be harvested when most of the fruit turns reddish brown. If harvested early, the seeds are immature and will not germinate; if harvested late, they suffer bird damage and are prone to falling off. After picking, select plump seeds from robust trees free of pests and diseases, put them in a breathable bag and pile them up to allow full after-ripening. After about 10-15 d, pour them out, remove the outer red flesh, take out the seeds, then soak the separated reddish-brown seeds briefly in water, rub off the red fleshy membrane attached to the outer seed coat, and scrub the oil on the seed coat with soda water or washing powder, then rinse clean with clear water, spread them in a ventilated place to dry, and set aside for later use.
1.2 Sand storage treatment
Because drought lotus seeds have a relatively thick oil content, the seedling emergence rate is low. Use the low-temperature stratified sand storage method, placing them in a ratio of sand:seed of 3:1, putting in sand first and then seeds. Before sand storage of the seeds, first carry out sterilization treatment, spraying evenly with a 800-1000 times dilution of wettable carbendazim for later use, then use clean river sand at 60% humidity, piling one layer of sand and one layer of seeds in layers, for a total of 2-3 layers, with wheat straw inserted on the top layer for ventilation, to be set aside for use in early spring the following year. Keep the sand storage environment temperature at 0-5.
1.3 Propagation methods
1.3.1 Sowing method
Sowing can be done in both spring and autumn. For spring sowing, do it in early March, when 20% of the sand-stored seeds have split open. Choose sandy loam with deep soil layers, fertile soil, and good drainage as the sowing site. Make raised beds. When sowing, use drilling or dibbling. As base fertilizer, fully decomposed human manure and urine or dried cake residue can be turned into the soil before bed preparation. Use a plant spacing of 10 x 30 cm, and cover with soil to a thickness of 2-3 times the seed diameter. After sowing, cover the bed surface with mulch, either rice straw or leaves. Keep the temperature at 20-25.
1.3.2 Grafting method
Grafting can be done in both spring and autumn, but early to mid-August is best (the best time is ten days before the Autumn Equinox). Use white magnolia or purple magnolia as rootstock. The suitable rootstock thickness is 0.8-1.2 cm. Either cut grafting or single-bud side grafting can be used.
3. Seedling stage management
3.1 For sown seedlings, after sowing and before emergence, prevent birds and animals; after emergence, prevent damping-off disease and chlorosis.
3.2 For grafted seedlings, promptly observe the sprouting status of the scion. Remove sprouts in a timely manner to ensure the vegetative growth of the scion.
3.3 Remove weeds in a timely manner to promote seedling growth
4 Cultivation management of seedlings
4.1 Seedling transplanting
Transplanting can be done in both spring and autumn. In spring, do it in early spring from February to March, about 10 d before the seedlings sprout; for autumn planting, do it in October-November after leaf fall and before the soil freezes.
4.2 Water management
The drought lotus likes moisture and fears waterlogging. Keep soil moisture at about 50%. During the growth period, water with small amounts and frequent watering.
4.3 Fertilization management
The drought lotus prefers fertilizer but avoids heavy fertilization. In addition to applying sufficient base fertilizer, generally applying fertilizer twice during the growth period is enough to benefit flower bud differentiation and promote growth.
4.4 Pruning management
The drought lotus is a tall tree. Its trunk is naturally straight and its crown shape is beautiful. In addition, wounds on the branches and trunks of Magnoliaceae plants do not heal easily, so it is generally not pruned and a natural tree shape is adopted. It is only necessary to remove diseased and pest-infested branches, weak branches, and excessive water sprouts.
5 Planting and promotion
The drought lotus is a deep-rooted tree species. It likes warmth and humidity and cannot tolerate severe cold or dryness, so it is mostly planted on valley slopes at the foot of mountains and around houses. It likes fertilizer and water and cannot tolerate dry and barren conditions. It can grow in acidic, neutral, and weakly alkaline soil and is suitable for planting in most areas of the Qinba Mountains. At present, in Mian County, Nanzheng, Hantai, Chenggu, Yang County, and other places, there are more than 10,000 drought lotus grafted seedlings of 3-10 cm, valued at more than 3 million yuan.
The above is the artificial breeding technique for the drought lotus compiled by the editor of Huinong Network. Friends who want to plant the drought lotus should study more. If you want to learn more agricultural technical knowledge, please follow Huinong Academy!
Plant culture of the drought lotus_ growth habits, appreciation of drought lotus pictures
The drought lotus belongs to the Magnoliaceae family and the Magnolia genus. It is a variety of magnolia and is the city flower of Hanzhong City. In the courtyard of the Wuhou Shrine in Mian County, Hanzhong City, there grows this deciduous tree drought lotus, which already has a history of more than 400 years. Because when its tree blooms, the flowers closely resemble lotus blossoms and it grows on dry land, it has the beautiful reputation of lotus of the dry land. Today, the editor will briefly introduce the culture of this plant.
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Introduction to drought lotus information
When the drought lotus is in full bloom, the branches are full of flowers, with red and white blossoms interspersed, and the stamens are slightly pink, closely resembling lotus blossoms. The leaves are the same as lotus leaves, and the shape and color resemble lotus root. In the Wuhou Shrine in Mian County, Hanzhong City, south of the Qinling Mountains, is preserved the only ancient drought lotus in the world so far. For more than 400 years, this drought lotus tree has been well protected and is still completely presented before the world today.
The drought lotus is a deciduous tree with gray, smooth bark. The buds are oblong and covered with pale yellow-green pubescence. The leaves are obovate-oblong, with an acute apex and cuneate base. The petiole is 1-2.5 cm long, and a pair of stipules falls early. The flower buds form in late autumn of the previous year and are covered with thick gray-white down. The flowers open before the leaves, are large, white with rose-red on the outside, and fragrant. The tepals are equal in size, 12 in number, rarely 14 or fewer. The filaments are purple-red, the anthers are narrow, slender, and tapered, longer than the filaments, and the style is deep purple.
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Growth habits of the drought lotus
The drought lotus likes light and is relatively cold-tolerant, and can overwinter in the open field. It loves dryness and avoids low humidity. Waterlogging at the planting site can easily cause root rot. It likes fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic sandy soil and can also grow in weakly alkaline soil. In the warmer south, it can bloom from December to January of the following year. The drought lotus can be planted in an environment with side shading. If planted under large trees or in shaded places, it grows poorly, with a thin and small tree shape, sparse branches, small and yellowing leaves, and no flowers or small flowers. However, it should not be planted in windy openings, otherwise shoot dieback is likely to occur.
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Plant culture of the drought lotus
The drought lotus is a variety of magnolia, but it is not a magnolia flower. The precious and rare drought lotus flower, according to legend, the drought lotus in the Wuhou Shrine in Hanzhong was planted by people to commemorate the ancient Chinese statesman and strategist Zhuge Liang. During the cultural relics survey in 1979, experts used carbon-14 to determine its tree age as more than 400 years, equivalent to the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. This determination matches the records in the epitaph of the Wuhou Shrine, proving that this drought lotus was planted by later generations to commemorate Zhuge Liang. In the past, it had always been regarded by people as a precious rare flower that was "without offspring". After many experiments, the local scientific research department finally cultivated a batch of new seedlings. After years of careful cultivation, they have now grown and have been transplanted to both sides of Tianhan Avenue. They bloom every year in March, continuing this ancient and legendary flower, the drought lotus.
This ancient drought lotus is about more than 4 zhang tall, and its trunk is as thick as a washbasin. It blooms every year. When the flowers are in full bloom, the whole tree is filled with lotus-like flowers in red and white, delicate and graceful, swaying in the wind, presenting a distinctive scene. When the drought lotus blooms, there are only flowers and no leaves. The flowers are butterfly-shaped and fragrant. The flowers produced are exactly the same as lotus flowers in water, only they grow on a tree on dry land, so it is called the drought lotus. Because of its rarity, uniqueness, beauty, and great age, the drought lotus was designated by the Hanzhong Municipal People's Government as the "city flower".
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Editor's summary
The drought lotus flower tree produces seeds, and the seeds are like red beans, glossy and hard. When the drought lotus blooms, the courtyard of the Wuhou Shrine is full of visitors, all eager to see this rare ancient tree in the world. Because it blooms in March, its tree is also called the "spring-answering tree". Today, the editor's introduction to this plant's culture and growth habits ends here. Thank you all for reading.
Appreciation of drought lotus pictures and a brief introduction to drought lotus culture
Speaking of the drought lotus, many friends are not very familiar with it. The drought lotus belongs to the Magnoliaceae family and is a variety of magnolia. The drought lotus has a very long history in our country. The drought lotus is the city flower of Hanzhong City. Just like its name, when the drought lotus blooms, the flowers look very much like lotus blossoms, and because it grows on land, it is called the drought lotus. When the drought lotus blooms, it is especially beautiful. Every year, many friends go to Hanzhong City to see the drought lotus in bloom. Today, I will introduce the long history and culture of the drought lotus in our country, and also let you enjoy some drought lotus pictures.
Introduction to the drought lotus
When the drought lotus is in full bloom, the branches are full of flowers, with red and white blossoms interspersed, and the stamens are slightly pink, closely resembling lotus blossoms. The leaves are the same as lotus leaves, and the shape and color resemble lotus root. In the Wuhou Shrine in Mian County, Hanzhong City, south of the Qinling Mountains, is preserved the only ancient drought lotus in the world so far. For more than 400 years, this drought lotus tree has been well protected and is still completely presented before the world today.
The drought lotus is a variety of magnolia, but it is not a magnolia flower. The precious and rare drought lotus flower, according to legend, the drought lotus in the Wuhou Shrine in Hanzhong was planted by people to commemorate the ancient Chinese statesman and strategist Zhuge Liang. During the cultural relics survey in 1979, experts used carbon-14 to determine its tree age as more than 400 years, equivalent to the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. This determination matches the records in the epitaph of the Wuhou Shrine, proving that this drought lotus was planted by later generations to commemorate Zhuge Liang.
This ancient drought lotus is about more than 4 zhang tall, and its trunk is as thick as a washbasin. It blooms every year. When the flowers are in full bloom, the whole tree is filled with lotus-like flowers in red and white, delicate and graceful, swaying in the wind, presenting a distinctive scene. When the drought lotus blooms, there are only flowers and no leaves. The flowers are butterfly-shaped and fragrant. The flowers produced are exactly the same as lotus flowers in water, only they grow on a tree on dry land, so it is called the drought lotus. Because of its rarity, uniqueness, beauty, and great age, the drought lotus was designated by the Hanzhong Municipal People's Government as the "city flower".
This ancient drought lotus in the Wuhou Shrine is the only ancient drought lotus discovered in the world so far. It already has a tree age of more than 400 years. It begins to form flower buds every year in May, and after going through summer, autumn, and winter, it blooms around March 8 of the following year. It flowers before leafing out, and the flowering period lasts more than half a month. Every March, the branches are full of flowers. When they first open, they are red, and when fully bloomed, the flowers are interspersed red and white, with slightly pink stamens, clear and refined, presenting the flawless beauty of white lotus bathed in rain, pink lotus brimming as if about to drip, and red lotus glowing like fire against the sunset. Together with the simple and ancient buildings, cypresses, plum blossoms, camellias, and other rare flowers and plants in the shrine courtyard, they reflect one another and become a beautiful scenic sight, much praised by spring outing tourists. Every year on March 8, Hanzhong City also holds a special Drought Lotus Culture Festival and blessing activities for it, attracting visitors from all sides to come and admire and enjoy it, and to experience the unique drought lotus blessing culture and Zhuge Liang culture.
This ancient drought lotus in the Hanzhong Wuhou Shrine had always been regarded by people as a precious rare flower that was "without offspring". After many experiments, the local scientific research department finally cultivated a batch of new seedlings. After years of careful cultivation, they have now grown and have been transplanted to both sides of Tianhan Avenue. They bloom every year in March, continuing this ancient and legendary flower, the drought lotus.
People compare the growth of drought lotus flower buds to the difficult process of life being conceived, and compare the flowering season to the loveliness of life at birth.
How to grow nasturtium
Propagation
Nasturtium is commonly propagated by sowing or cuttings. Sowing at different times results in different flowering periods. Sowing in March means flowering in July-August; sowing in June means flowering at National Day; sowing in September means flowering at Spring Festival; sowing in December means flowering on May Day. Before sowing, soak the seeds in warm water at 40-45°C for 24 hours. After sowing, keep the room temperature at 18-20°C. About 7-10 days later, they will emerge. Then in May of the following year, plant the seedlings into pots.
Nasturtium can also use the cutting method, and cuttings are often made from April to June. Select tender nasturtium stems as cuttings, remove the lower leaves, provide appropriate shade after insertion, and maintain humidity. After 2-3 weeks, they can take root. Because nasturtium is a trailing plant, when the stems and vines have grown to a certain point, supports should be set up in time and the branches and vines tied well to facilitate growth. After that, topdress once every 10-15 days, and maintain sufficient water and humidity.
Cultivation management
For nasturtium cultivation, sandy loam rich in organic matter is most suitable, with a pH value of 5-6. Its growth must have loose, fertile, well-drained soil, so that it can grow well and have better ornamental value. In addition, during the growth period of nasturtium, fertilize generally once every 3-4 weeks. After fertilizing, loosen the soil in time to improve soil aeration and benefit root growth.
Nasturtium likes moisture and fears waterlogging, and soil moisture is best kept at about 50%. During its growth period, use the method of small amounts and frequent watering. In spring and autumn, water about once every 2-3 days; in midsummer, water every day and often spray water on the leaves to maintain relatively high air humidity. After flowering, water less to prevent excessive branch growth, and to prevent water accumulation from causing root rot, which can then lead to yellow leaves or even the death of the whole plant.
Pest and disease control
Nasturtium has relatively few pests and diseases, but it is still susceptible to damage from aphids and whiteflies, and pesticides need to be sprayed in time for control. Nasturtium insect pests can occur several times each year. In mild cases, the leaves cannot spread out and fall off easily; in severe cases, all the autumn shoots turn yellow and wither, especially during the peak occurrence period, when the damage is even more serious.
Through the introduction to drought lotus pictures, you probably did not expect that the drought lotus also has such a legendary story. Many of the drought lotus plants we see now were cultivated from this one drought lotus. If any friends like it, you can go see this ancient drought lotus with a history of more than 400 years. I believe everyone will definitely be amazed. In addition to high ornamental value, the drought lotus also has high medicinal value. The whole drought lotus flower can be used as medicine to invigorate blood and dissolve stasis. Having said so much, if any friends are interested in the drought lotus, you can come to Tubatu to look up information.