When is the best time to plant seedlings?

Proper planting and management of seedlings is the necessary basis for ensuring the benefits of seedling planting . If you want to have a high survival rate of saplings , you must find the right season and plant them according to the "right time and right conditions". So when is the best time to plant seedlings? Let’s learn more about it below.

When is the best time to plant seedlings?

Generally speaking, areas with warm and humid winters are more suitable for autumn planting, while areas with cold and dry climates are suitable for spring planting. The best time to transplant fruit trees in provinces like the three northeastern provinces is spring, because the northern regions have low temperatures and strong winds in winter, and the moisture in the branches of fruit trees can be easily drained away, leading to dehydration and death. However, in my country, the winter in the area south of the Qinling Mountains and the Huaihe River is warm and humid, which is more suitable for transplanting seedlings in autumn. Of course, the specific planting time depends on local climate and planting conditions.

How to improve the survival rate of seedlings?

1. Quality of seedlings

After the seedling variety is selected, the quality of the seedling becomes one of the most critical influencing factors. First, we must choose relatively sturdy seedlings (first-grade seedlings); second, the seedlings must have well-developed root systems and many lateral roots. Such seedlings have a high survival rate.

2. Soil selection

When planting saplings, you can choose soil with strong drainage properties. At the same time, you can add some river sand to increase the air permeability of the soil, which is more conducive to root growth. You also need to prepare acidic or alkaline culture soil according to the soil type that the tree prefers. If you are planting it in a garden , you can choose a location with plenty of sunlight and fertile soil.

3. Reasonable soaking of seedlings

After the seedlings are transported to the field, they should be soaked after unloading. The size of the soaking pool is determined according to the size and number of the seedlings. The amount of water used needs to completely submerge the root system. The width should be appropriate to ensure convenient seedling removal from both sides. The soaking time is 24h-48h.

4. Seedling disinfection

Before planting, spray the branches and trunks of seedlings with lime sulfur. The concentration of lime sulfur during the dormant period should be 3-5 degrees Baume, and 0.3-0.5 degrees Baume during the growing period.

5. Proper pruning

Pruning is the process of trimming and treating the wounds of some branches and roots damaged during loading and unloading and transportation, and pruning overlapping branches, diseased and rotten branches to reduce water loss in the tree. The ideal time for pruning is 4-5 days before transplanting. If it is not possible in time, it can be done after transplanting and before planting. The sooner the better. In principle, 90% of the pruning of the seedlings should be completed before the seedlings stand up.

6. Planting depth

For the planting depth of trees and shrubs , the top surface of the soil ball should be flush with the planting surface. In arid, water-scarce and cold areas, the planting depth can be no more than 10cm. The backfill soil should be compacted layer by layer during planting.

In general, sapling planting can usually be carried out in spring and autumn, but timely, reasonable and regular maintenance and management must be carried out after planting to improve the survival rate. Just pay attention to the relevant influencing factors.