Thick bark is a Magnoliaceae plant, and there are many other Magnoliaceae plants that are similar to thick bark. Different varieties have been used at different times and in different years, and now there are more than 20 different varieties used in different places, which is complex and chaotic. When planting thick bark, it is important to understand the different varieties, especially the correct selection of medicinal varieties. If the variety is not chosen correctly, it will cause economic losses and waste time. Therefore, when planting thick bark, it is necessary to choose the right variety and seedlings.
1. Correct variety selection
1. Variety selection
The varieties selected should be those listed in the "Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China". Only the varieties listed in the "Pharmacopoeia" are genuine and authentic. The varieties of thick bark used for medicine and sale are the dried stems, branches, and roots of Magnoliaceae plants, such as thick bark or concave leaf thick bark, as listed in the "Pharmacopoeia".
2. Selection of good varieties
After the planting varieties are determined, the key is to carefully select the seeds and seedlings. If the seeds are not chosen well, the germination rate will be low. Some seeds have a low germination rate due to poor harvesting season or old seeds from the previous year, and some may not even germinate at all. Therefore, the selection of good varieties should be taken seriously. When selecting seedlings, attention should also be paid to selecting strong seedlings with well-developed root systems and high survival rates.
Purchasing seeds and seedlings should be done with the assistance of professionals to ensure seed quality. On the other hand, it is advisable to purchase from reputable, qualified, and trustworthy organizations or individuals. If necessary, it is best to buy directly from the place of origin and sign a valid contract and request an official receipt.
2. Site selection and land preparation
1. Site selection
Sites with an altitude between 800 and 2200 meters (500-1700 meters for concave leaf thick bark), deep and loose soil, good drainage, and rich organic matter, with slightly acidic or neutral soil and sandy soil, should be selected for planting on sunny slopes, forest edges, and fir forests. Slopes of 15-20 degrees are preferable. Alkaline, hard, rocky, sticky, compacted, poorly drained, dry or contaminated areas should not be chosen for planting. Site selection includes the selection of seedbeds and transplanting and planting areas.
(1) Selection of seedbeds
Altitudes between 300 and 600 meters should be selected for seedbeds (altitudes above 600 meters are also acceptable, but the seedlings will grow slower), with a slope of 10-20 degrees facing west to east. The soil should be fertile, and water supply should be sufficient for irrigation. Rice fields, wheat fields, vegetable fields, and mountainous areas near houses can all be used as seedbeds.
(2) Selection of planting areas
Thick bark is a tree species unique to mountainous areas. The planting areas should be located at altitudes between 800 and 2200 meters (500-1700 meters for concave leaf thick bark), with a slope of 16-30 degrees facing north to south or west to east. The areas should have good water sources, be free from pollution, and be suitable for coexistence with fir forests and coniferous forests.
2. Land preparation
Land preparation is divided into two parts: preparation of seedbeds and cleaning and preparation of transplanting and planting areas.
(1) Preparation of seedbeds
The selected seedbeds should be deeply plowed. For newly cleared land, a "three plow, three leveling" method should be used. For "cultivated land" that has been previously planted with other crops, a "two plow, two leveling" method is sufficient. The method of making a seedbed on newly cleared land is as follows:
First, clean the land, remove weeds and debris from the ground, and plow to a depth of 30-50 centimeters, removing weeds, tree stumps, and debris. Remove stones and let them dry in the sun for 10-20 days, then plow the land for the first time. Before plowing, apply farmyard manure (such as compost) at a rate of 2000-5000 kilograms per mu. The amount of fertilizer should be determined based on the fertility of the soil. To prevent pests, apply 60-150 kilograms of hydrated lime powder per mu. After fertilization, plow the land for the second time. After the second plowing, let it dry in the sun for 15-20 days, and then plow for the third time, breaking up clumps of soil and removing stones and debris. Level the seedbeds. Dig furrows (also known as seedbeds) according to the terrain. The width of the furrows should be 1-1.5 meters, and the length should be appropriate for easy management and operation. The height of the furrows should be 25-30 centimeters. In areas with less rainfall in the north, the furrows can be slightly leveled, while in areas with more rainfall in the south, the furrows can be made higher for better drainage. The drainage ditches should be 25-30 centimeters wide and serve as drainage during rainy seasons and facilitate management and work when it is not raining. The land preparation and furrow formation should be based on the selected terrain, topography, slope direction, and local rainfall, and should not be rigidly followed. The main goal is to cultivate good seedlings.
(2) Cleaning and preparation of transplanting and planting areas
Thick bark planting areas are often hilly, mountainous, or wasteland, so they need to be cleaned and prepared before planting. First, clean and plan the large-scale afforestation and planting areas, remove weeds, vines, thorns, and consider the topography and terrain. Dig holes with a row spacing of 3 meters and a plant spacing of 2 meters, with hole sizes of 40 centimeters x 50 centimeters x 45 centimeters. Then, remove weeds, thorny shrubs, tree stumps, and pollutants around the planting holes.
