How to grow the golden trumpet tree? A detailed explanation of the key planting techniques

  The golden trumpet tree (Handroanthus chrysotrichus) is a tree that changes its appearance with the four seasons. In spring, its branches are sparse with few leaves, and around Qingming Festival it blooms with beautiful yellow flowers; in summer it grows leaves and forms seed pods; in autumn its branches and leaves flourish in a scene of lush green; in winter its branches are bare and leaves fall, presenting a desolate beauty. This is the distinctive charm the golden trumpet tree displays across spring, summer, autumn and winter. It is an excellent street tree, and can also be planted in courtyards, on school campuses, in residential areas and elsewhere.

  The golden trumpet tree likes high temperatures, with an optimum growing temperature of 20-30°C. In winter it needs warmth and shelter from wind to overwinter. The best soil for cultivation is sandy loam rich in organic matter. It can be propagated by sowing, cuttings or air layering, but sowing is the main method, with spring and autumn being the suitable periods. The flowering period is January to March; the fruiting period is July to August.

  Planting techniques for the golden trumpet tree:

  1. Temperature and environment

  The golden trumpet tree grows best at 23-30 degrees, is not cold-tolerant, and in China is only suitable for cultivation in tropical and subtropical regions.

  At the seedling stage it also requires strong light. Especially when sowing and raising seedlings in a greenhouse environment, insufficient light and ventilation can very easily cause the seedlings to grow weakly and to develop damping-off disease.

  Golden trumpet tree

  2. Soil and fertilisation

  For the nursery plot used to cultivate large golden trumpet tree saplings, choose a site with loose, fertile soil and good irrigation and drainage, make good plans and prepare the drainage and irrigation ditches properly. Plant about 3000 plants per mu. When planting, put 250 grams of compound fertiliser or 1 kilogram of organic fertiliser in each hole as base fertiliser; the base fertiliser should be thoroughly mixed with the soil before planting the seedling. When planting the seedling, remove the nursery bag, and plant it firmly and press it down.

  3. Plant control

  Golden trumpet tree seedlings grow fast, and the trunk is soft, so they easily fall over and readily produce sprouts; the natural plant shape is often poor. To obtain an upright, straight plant shape, after planting, once the seedling is 30-50 cm tall, erect a bamboo support about 2 m tall beside the seedling to guide the plant to grow upright, and tie it once each time the seedling grows 50 cm taller. During the growth period, carry out pruning and shaping regularly, cutting off the low, branching side shoots. After the leaves fall in winter, carry out a uniform pruning and shaping, cutting off diseased branches, dead branches and the occasional side branches that emerge low down, so as to keep the trunk growing straight. Because the bark of the golden trumpet tree is relatively thin, it is easily rubbed and damaged by the supporting bamboo pole, and after damage it easily forms larger wounds that affect its appearance. Therefore, pad the contact point between the trunk and the supporting bamboo pole with soft cloth to avoid damage to the bark. When the trunk has grown to 1.8-2 m tall, keep the branches at the top to form the crown. After 3-4 years of field cultivation, when the plant is over 3 m tall and 4-6 cm in diameter, it can leave the nursery for landscaping.

  4. Cultivation method

  A suitable plant and row spacing is 2.5 m * 2.5 m. Dig holes of at least 50 cm * 50 cm * 40 cm. Apply generally about 10 jin of fertiliser, mixing 75% livestock and poultry manure, 18% phosphate fertiliser, 7% potassium fertiliser and a trace of zinc sulfate (to promote tillering and branching and make the crown full) as base fertiliser. For top dressing, apply frequently and lightly, applying top dressing once every two months; the first time apply urea, and afterwards apply compound fertiliser. The branches of the golden trumpet tree are soft, so be sure to set up poles to keep it straight.