How to grow the evergreen tree Sterculia monosperma? Ripening months and the four main differences from Sterculia lanceolata

Sterculia monosperma is an evergreen tree that stays green all year round, also known as the "phoenix eye fruit." It is planted in courtyards in Guangdong, China, but not in large numbers, only sporadically. So how do you grow Sterculia monosperma? Which month does it usually ripen? Here are the four main differences from Sterculia lanceolata.

1. How to grow Sterculia monosperma? The growing techniques are as follows:

1. Planting and establishment

For planting Sterculia monosperma trees, spring is the best time, with a spacing of 4×5 m being more suitable, at 33 trees per mu. Dig planting holes measuring 80×80×60 cm. Apply base fertilizer mainly of organic fertilizer combined with a small amount of chemical fertilizer, to promote early growth and rapid development of the seedlings and early production.

2. Timely fertilization

Young Sterculia monosperma trees are generally fertilized 4 to 6 times a year, once every 2 to 3 months, with either organic or chemical fertilizer. Mature fruiting trees need more nutrients; to prevent the trees from weakening, fertilize more than 2 times a year.

3. Flowering period management

Sterculia monosperma trees tolerate waterlogging but not drought; during the flowering and young fruit stages they require appropriate soil moisture and atmospheric humidity, hence the saying "mangoes for sunny days, Sterculia monosperma for rainy days."

4. Pruning and shaping

If Sterculia monosperma trees grow vigorously but bloom and fruit little, they must be pruned and shaped appropriately to allow ventilation and light penetration inside the canopy, which can reduce psyllids and the sooty mold they cause, and also benefit flowering and fruit set.

5. Pest and disease control

The main pests and diseases of Sterculia monosperma trees include anthracnose, root rot and psyllid damage; in conjunction with winter fertilization, do a good job of cleaning the orchard, collect diseased fallen leaves and burn them in a concentrated way, which can reduce sources of infection.

2. How many years until Sterculia monosperma bears fruit? Which month does it usually ripen?

Sterculia monosperma trees bear fruit 3 to 4 years after planting, reach full fruiting at 15 years, when yield tends to stabilize, and a 30-year-old tree produces 125 kg of fruit. The main crop blooms from March to May and ripens from July to September; the secondary crop blooms from August to October and begins to ripen in mid-December.

3. There are four main differences between Sterculia monosperma and Sterculia lanceolata, do you know them?

1. Different leaves

There are actually many differences between Sterculia monosperma and Sterculia lanceolata. Apart from their similar appearance, it seems that everywhere else they are different. Take the leaves, for example: the leaves of Sterculia monosperma are much broader than those of Sterculia lanceolata. Generally, the leaves of Sterculia monosperma are 8 to 25 cm long and 5 to 15 cm wide, appearing roughly round-rectangular, while the leaves of Sterculia lanceolata are more ordinary and generally smaller. Flower enthusiasts keen on Sterculia monosperma should keep their eyes peeled.

2. Different fruit

Not only are the leaves of Sterculia monosperma bigger than those of Sterculia lanceolata, but its fruit is also a bit smaller than that of Sterculia lanceolata; perhaps Sterculia lanceolata is more timid and cannot grow that big. Each pod of Sterculia monosperma contains one to three seeds, and the seeds are generally between a broad bean and a pigeon egg in size, fairly large. As for Sterculia lanceolata, needless to say, each pod contains many seeds, up to six or seven, but there is little difference in the size of each seed, roughly the size of a peanut. This is also a fairly obvious difference between Sterculia monosperma and Sterculia lanceolata.

3. Different branches and leaves

Sterculia monosperma has lush branches and leaves; even in the scorching summer sun, its branches and leaves basically let almost no light through, while Sterculia lanceolata has relatively sparse branches and leaves, and generally as long as there are branches and leaves, mottled tree shadows appear on the ground. This difference cannot serve as a main basis for distinguishing Sterculia monosperma from Sterculia lanceolata, because the difference is not very obvious.

4. Different flowers

The flowers of Sterculia monosperma are all creamy yellow and five-petaled, somewhat resembling small lanterns in their morphological features, and it is monoecious, with very charming flowers, while the flowers of Sterculia lanceolata are pink or light pink; although they are also five-petaled, they do not look like small lanterns. In addition, Sterculia lanceolata has no special effects, while Sterculia monosperma can not only improve eyesight and burn fat, but also promote metabolism.

Summary: The above is a compilation of some key points for growing Sterculia monosperma, hoping it can help you in daily life.