Forsythia is not only a valuable traditional Chinese medicine , but also a suitable ornamental tree with high economic value. It is currently cultivated in Shanxi, Hebei, Gansu, Shandong, Jiangsu, and other regions of China. So, how many forsythia trees should be planted per acre? Let's find out below.
How many forsythia plants should be planted per acre?
Generally, about 200 forsythia plants can be planted per acre. If it is for large-scale medicinal cultivation, under good soil and fertilization conditions, about 300-400 plants can be planted.
What are the methods for planting forsythia?
1. Sowing
Sowing can be done in two ways: direct sowing and seedling transplanting. Direct sowing is generally done in March or April. Dig a small hole about 3 cm deep in the center of a prepared planting hole. Select plump, disease-free seeds and sow 5-10 seeds per hole. Cover with soil and press lightly to ensure good contact between the seeds and soil. For seedling transplanting, select mature, plump seeds and soak them in 30℃ warm water for 4 hours. After soaking, let them dry slightly before sowing. Spring sowing is done around Qingming Festival, and winter sowing is done before the ground freezes.
2. Branches
Division is more suitable for forsythia that is 3 years or older. After leaf fall or before bud break in spring, dig up the sprouts around the mother plant, plant them in holes with roots and soil, cover with soil and press firmly, and water. Alternatively, dig up the entire clump with soil, divide it into several parts, each part retaining 2-3 branches and some roots, and plant them separately. The plant spacing should be 30-40 cm, and the row spacing should be 50-60 cm.
3. Cuttings
After flowering, select two-year-old branches from vigorous, disease-free plants as cuttings. Cuttings should be 12-15 cm long, with a flat upper cut and a horseshoe- shaped lower cut. Each cutting should have at least three buds. Before planting, soak the lower end of the cutting in an ABT rooting hormone solution for 30 minutes. Plant the cuttings at a spacing of 10 x 10 cm and at a depth of 8-10 cm. After planting, construct a covered frame on the propagation bed, providing appropriate shade and maintaining moisture. Transplanting can be done the following spring.
4. Pressing strip
In spring, bend and score the drooping branches of the Forsythia mother plant, then press them into the soil. The above-ground parts can be fixed with bamboo poles or wooden forks. Cover with fine, fertile soil, tamp it down, and allow it to root at the scored points to grow into a new plant. From winter of that year to the following spring, cut the seedlings from the mother plant, dig them up with their roots, and transplant them to their final location.
