Detailed Explanation of Tamarind Planting Techniques and Cultivation Management Key Points
Tamarind is an evergreen large tree of the genus Tamarindus in the legume family. Tamarind is mainly produced in the southwestern region of China, and tamarind is used by many chefs to enhance the flavor of dishes. In addition, tamarind contains polysaccharides, which have a good luminous effect and can protect human skin and reduce the effect of ultraviolet radiation. Its market in China is also gradually growing, so how should tamarind be planted? Below, the editor brings you the planting method of tamarind, let's take a look!
1. Sowing at the right time
After the tamarind tree fruit matures, select good fruit and take out the seeds for planting, clean the seeds thoroughly, and remove the pulp on the seeds. The general sowing time is around the Beginning of Spring each year, but tamarind seeds are relatively hard, so before sowing, soak them in warm water for about 2 days, then choose a planting method suitable for you and sow. After sowing, with normal management, they will germinate in about a week, and after about three weeks all seedlings will be fully established. The growth rate of seedlings is relatively fast; after about one month, the seedlings can grow to 18 cm, and the roots extend to about 12 cm. If you want to raise seedlings for afforestation, you should prepare the land well, then dig dibble holes in the rainy season, control the sowing density, and note that grazing must not be carried out in this area.
3. Fertilization management
During the seedling stage and new shoot growth of tamarind, more nitrogen fertilizer should be applied, mainly by applying more frequently in small amounts, to promote the growth of tamarind. The number of topdressings each year must not be less than two, and the number of topdressings should be appropriately increased as the planting time extends. The topdressing fertilizer is mainly urea, and we should also control the fertilization amount according to tree age. For example, the flowering and fruiting stage of adult trees is when nutritional demand is greatest; during this period, the fertilization amount should be increased to improve the flowering and fruiting rate. Then, according to the growth habits of tamarind, appropriately apply compound fertilizer and calcium fertilizer to promote fruit expansion.
3. Shaping and pruning
The tamarind tree is a large tree, and later management is relatively difficult, so when planting, we should appropriately dwarf the crown of the tamarind tree. Pruning work should be done well from the young tree stage. Within 1-2 years of planting, cut off lower branches, dense long branches, and weak branches, and retain only 1-2 main branches. Tamarind has a high nutritional demand and relatively high yield. Therefore, when the trunk grows to about 80 cm, about 4 first-level main branches should be retained, then reduced level by level, to promote the growth of branches at all levels and expand the crown. After harvest, that is, before the growth of new shoots in spring, adult trees should be pruned, cutting off overly long, overly dense, overlapping, and crossing branches. Improve the tree's ventilation and light penetration, ensure normal tree growth, and cultivate robust fruiting mother branches.
4. Mulching the tree disk
About 2 years after tamarind planting, hole expansion and pit digging must be carried out to guide the direction of root expansion. This is especially important for areas where the planting site is relatively barren, and it is also an important measure to improve soil structure and enhance soil fertility. Weeding must be carried out at least twice a year, during periods when weeds grow faster, such as July-August and October-November. The removed weeds can be used to cover the soil, reduce soil water and fertilizer loss, increase soil temperature, prevent drought, promote tamarind growth, and increase yield.
The above is a brief introduction to tamarind planting techniques. The shaping and pruning work of tamarind is relatively important. We should control the tree's growth vigor, enhance the growth performance of branches, and ensure that tamarind forms a low crown, which facilitates later growth, management, and harvesting. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only. Thank you everyone for reading and supporting.