Detailed Techniques for Spring Sowing and Seedling Cultivation of Chinese Parasol Tree (Part Two)

Seedling Management

1. Loosening Soil and Weeding After sowing, dicotyledonous weeds such as field pepperweed, Japanese hop, and amaranth will proliferate in large numbers. They can be removed manually or sprayed with 2,4-D at 1/1000. When weeding, follow the principle of "remove small, remove early, remove completely," with a soil loosening depth of 2 to 3 cm.

2. Fertilization and Irrigation Fertilize when seedlings reach 3 to 5 cm in height, applying 8 to 10 kg of compound fertilizer per mu, combined with irrigation; thereafter water according to soil moisture conditions.

3. Pest and Disease Control During the seedling stage of Chinese parasol tree, attention should be paid to the prevention of damping-off disease. Through measures such as early sowing, high-ridge seedling cultivation, soil disinfection, and spraying 5% carbendazim once every 10 days when seeds germinate and emerge (three consecutive sprayings), good results can be achieved. Other pests and diseases are rare, with no occurrences of damage observed.

4. Container Seedling Management When seedlings reach 5 cm in height and the plant base is semi-lignified, transplant them. Before transplanting, prepare beds of length x width = (15 to 20) x (2 to 3) m. During transplanting, remove the containers and transplant together with the growing medium into the beds, with a plant-to-row spacing of 20 x 40 cm, about 8,300 plants per mu. Then water thoroughly once, apply urea once in July at 8 to 10 kg per mu, and thereafter irrigate according to soil moisture conditions.

5. Cold Protection for Seedlings In mid-November before winter, irrigate with frozen water, then earth up for cold protection or heel in indoors.

Through the above measures, Chinese parasol tree seedlings can reach 40 to 60 cm in height in the same year, and after 3 to 4 years reach 3 m in height and 4 to 5 cm in diameter, ready for use in urban and rural landscaping.