Detailed Explanation of Key Points on Redbud Planting and Cultivation Techniques

  The redbud tree is relatively tall, flowering before the leaves emerge, with purplish-red blossoms shaped like butterflies, covering the branches, blooming in full through early summer; cultivated for ornamental viewing, it brings delight. Su Song said: "The redbud grows everywhere, and people often plant it in courtyards; the tree resembles the yellow vitex, with small leaves without notches, and deep purple flowers that are lovely." The redbud flower is the flower of the redbud tree, a deciduous tree or small shrub of the Fabaceae family. The branchlets are hairless, with numerous lenticels; leaves are simple and alternate, with nearly circular blades and a deeply heart-shaped base. The flowers open before the leaves, in clusters of 4 to 10 on old branches; the calyx is bell-shaped, the corolla papilionaceous, purplish-red, with 5 petals of varying sizes. The pod is flat and belt-shaped, purplish-red. The flowering period is in May. It grows in mountains and wild fields or is cultivated in courtyards, and is distributed across most of the country. It is harvested during the flowering period and dried in the sun; its bark and fruit are also used as medicine.

  Transplanting: Generally, seedlings can be transplanted after about 90 days. When transplanting, it is best to choose a cloudy or rainy day, apply 1000 to 1500 kg of farmyard manure per mu, with a plant spacing of 1.2 m × 1.5 m, and water thoroughly to settle the roots.

  Redbud trees can be transplanted after leaf fall in winter from November to December, or before sprouting from February to April the following year. Large plants should be transplanted with a soil ball to improve survival. Because its root system is very tough and not easily cut through, a sharp shovel can be used to sever part of the roots. Some longer branches should also be appropriately shortened to make carrying and transport easier. If transplanting during the flowering period, some flowers should also be removed to avoid consuming too many nutrients and affecting survival. When planting, it is best to apply decomposed compost in each hole.

  Watering: After cuttings or sowing is completed, water thoroughly. Within 1 month, water once in the morning and once in the evening on sunny days, and pay attention to drainage to prevent waterlogging on rainy days.

  During the growing period, redbud should be cultivated and loosened in a timely manner to loosen the surface soil, reduce water evaporation, allow air in the soil to circulate, promote the decomposition of nutrients, and create good conditions for root growth and nutrient absorption. Pay attention to watering during drought, and drain promptly in the rainy season to prevent waterlogging, so as to avoid root rot caused by soil water accumulation. Apply decomposed organic fertilizer once each in early spring, summer, and after autumn every year to promote flowering and flower bud formation. After each fertilization, water thoroughly once to facilitate root absorption.

  Redbud likes a moist environment. After planting, it should be watered immediately, then watered a second time on the third day and a third time after the sixth day. After the third watering, water according to weather conditions, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. Water promptly in summer, and spray the leaves as well; drain promptly after rain to prevent root rot from excessive water. After autumn, if the temperature is not high, watering should be controlled to prevent autumn growth. Before winter, water sufficiently to protect against freezing. In early March of the following year, water to promote green-up. Except in July and August, when watering depends on rainfall, water thoroughly once each month from April to October, and water to protect against freezing before winter. Use the same watering method in the third year. In the fourth year, enter normal management, but the freeze-protection water and green-up water should be applied sufficiently and thoroughly. If conditions permit, water thoroughly once in mid-to-late April and once in late September; in other seasons it can rely on natural growth. Some people think redbud is drought-tolerant and afraid of flooding, but in fact redbud likes a moist environment, only it cannot grow in waterlogged conditions.

  Fertilization: After cuttings sprout or seedlings emerge from sowing, spray once every 15 days with a 1000-fold solution of monopotassium phosphate or with clear manure water, and do a good job of weeding.

  Redbud likes fertilizer. With sufficient fertilizer, the branches are lush and the leaves are full, and the flowers are numerous and brightly colored; with insufficient fertilizer, the branches are sparse and the leaves are few, and the flowers are few and pale. At planting, apply sufficient base fertilizer, preferably leaf mold, barnyard manure, or dried chicken manure, and mix it thoroughly with the planting soil before use, otherwise the roots will be burned. After normal management begins, apply a nitrogen fertilizer once each year after flowering to promote vigorous growth, and apply a phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer once in early autumn to help flower bud differentiation and ensure the new branches overwinter safely after lignification. In early winter, combine with watering against freezing and apply cow or horse manure. If the plant grows poorly, spray the leaves with a 0.2% monopotassium phosphate solution and a 0.5% urea solution.

  Pruning: Redbud trees tolerate pruning. After leaf fall in winter and before sprouting in spring, diseased and pest-infested branches, crossing branches, and overlapping branches can be cut off to maintain a beautiful tree shape. Because the plant can also bloom on old branches, do not cut too many old branches during pruning, otherwise the amount of flowering will inevitably be affected. Redbud has strong sprouting ability, especially at the base, where tiller buds are particularly easy to sprout. These sprouts should be cut off in time to maintain a beautiful tree shape and avoid consuming too many nutrients. After flowering, if seeds are not to be kept, remove the pods in time to avoid consuming too many nutrients, which is unfavorable for growth.

  Shaping: Redbud is often used as a shrub in gardens, so pruning should be strengthened from the seedling cultivation stage to help form a good plant shape. After transplanting, seedlings can be lightly shortened to encourage more branching, expand the nutritional area, accumulate nutrients, and develop the root system. In the following spring, they can be heavily shortened to stimulate new branch growth. Keep 3 branches with better growth and cut off all the rest. During the growing period, strengthen water and fertilizer management, and pinch the retained branches. After planting, remove excess sprouts in time, strengthen the tending of branches retained from the previous year, and pinch them more often so as to produce more secondary branches.

  During cultivation, renewal of flowering branches should be strengthened. Practice has shown that old branches older than 5 years bear fewer flowers and the flower buds move upward, affecting ornamental value, so they should be renewed in time.