Key Technical Points for Interplanting Small Shrubs in Southern Magnolia Fields

In the first 3 years of southern magnolia seeding growth, to offset the drawbacks of large initial investment and no profitable output from field-planted trees in the early stage, small shrubs such as Japanese boxwood, golden privet, and red-leaf barberry can be interplanted. During the first 3 years of interplanting small seedlings, at 6000-7000 plants per mu, averaging 0.5 yuan per plant, a return of over 3000 yuan can be obtained. After the 4th year, the southern magnolia has grown to 5-6 cm, and can then be sold selectively at about 80 yuan per plant. From then on, annual sales all generate income.

Cultivation points: when planting 1-year-old southern magnolia seedlings, plant spacing 1.2-1.3 m and row spacing 1.5-1.7 m, with 300-400 plants per mu; every two plants form one bed. When interplanting small seedlings between the southern magnolia beds, plant spacing 15-20 cm and row spacing 25-30 cm, with 6000-7000 plants interplanted per mu.

Management measures: carry out regular intertillage, weeding and fertilizing. Foliar topdressing is done 2-3 times per year: apply compound fertilizer once between April and March, apply urea once between May and June, and apply compound fertilizer once more at the end of July. For the small seedlings, apply urea once each spring, 20 kg per mu. In April, pay attention to controlling the tortricid moths that harm the young buds and young leaves of southern magnolia; spray 1000-fold dilution of 98% trichlorfon crystal 2-3 times.