The linden tree is a deciduous tree that belongs to the genus Bodhi of the family Moraceae, and its scientific name isficus religiosa。It is native to India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and other places, and was later introduced to China, Japan, Southeast Asia, etc. The linden tree can reach a height of up to 30 meters, with a stout trunk and grayish-white bark with longitudinal cracks. The leaves of the linden tree are heart-shaped, with serrated edges, a shiny surface, and downy hairs on the back, ranging in color from dark green to light green. The flowers of the linden tree are small and imperceptible, and are usually hidden in round fruits. The fruit of the linden tree is a fig, about 1 cm in diameter, purple-red when ripe, sweet, edible, and used as a medicinal herb.
The Bodhi tree is a symbol of Buddhism, as it is said that the Buddha Shakyamuni attained enlightenment under a Bodhi tree. Therefore, the linden tree is considered a sacred plant with allegories of wisdom and compassion. In Buddhist monasteries and temples, it is common to see the cultivation and worship of the linden tree. In China, the linden tree is also calledSacred TreeBuddha TreeJue TreeWait.
The cultivation of linden trees requires a certain amount of skill and patience, and here are some basic steps and precautions:
Linden trees can be propagated by seeds or seedlings. The advantages of seeds are that they are cheap and in large quantities, but they have a low germination rate and slow growth rate, and they need to be treated before they can be sown. The advantage of seedlings is that the survival rate is high and the growth rate is fast, but it is more expensive and the number is small, so you need to pay attention to choosing healthy seedlings.
If you choose seeds, you can either take them from the ripe linden fruit or buy them from a professional gardener. The seeds need to be soaked in warm water for 24 hours, then wrapped in moist gauze or paper towels, placed in a warm place, checked daily, and waiting for germination. After germination, transplant the seeds into small pots, put only one seed in each pot, cover with a thin layer of soil, keep it moist, and place it in a semi-shaded place and wait for the seedlings to emerge.
If you choose a seedling, you can cut a branch from a nearby linden tree or buy it from a professional gardener. Shoots need to be of moderate thickness, about 20 cm in length, and have 3-5 leaf sections. Cut the lower end of the branch into beveled angles, apply rooting powder, and then insert it into small pots, put only one branch in each pot, bury about half in the soil, keep it moist, put it in a semi-shaded place, and wait for rooting.
Linden trees prefer fertile, loose, well-drained soil, and can choose special flower soil, or a homemade mixture of humus, river sand, and garden soil. The pH of the soil should be in the range of 65-7.5. Between the 5, you can use test strips or instruments to measure, if too acid or too alkaline, you can use lime or sulfur to adjust.
For linden pots, you should choose a wide, deep, and breathable ceramic or plastic pot with enough drainage holes at the bottom to prevent water accumulation. The size of the pot should be adjusted according to the growth of the linden tree, generally every year or every two years, and part of the root system should be cut off when changing the pot to promote the growth of new roots.
Linden trees like plenty of light, but they are not tolerant of strong direct light, so choose a bright and shady place, such as a balcony, windowsill, corridor, etc. In summer, it is necessary to avoid high temperature at noon, and in winter, it is necessary to avoid freezing damage from low temperatures, so it is necessary to adjust the position of the linden tree in time according to the change of the season and maintain a suitable temperature. The optimal growth temperature of the linden tree is 20-30, with a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 40.
Linden trees prefer moist environments but are not tolerant of flooding, so it is important to know how often and how much to water and keep the soil moist but not too wet. Generally speaking, water once a day in spring and summer, every other day in autumn and winter, insert your fingers into the soil when watering, water when you feel dry, and water evenly until the water flows out of the drainage hole. The water temperature for watering should be close to room temperature, and do not use water that is too cold or too hot to avoid harming the root system.
The fertilization of the linden tree should be moderate, not too much, otherwise it will cause the leaves to turn yellow, the branches to be fragile, and the resistance to decrease. Generally speaking, fertilization should be applied once a month in spring and summer, and once every two months in autumn and winter, and diluted liquid fertilizer should be used when fertilizing, or rotted organic fertilizer, such as bone meal, chicken manure, etc. When fertilizing, avoid direct contact with the root system to avoid burns, and also avoid fertilizing when just changing pots or pruning to avoid irritating the wound.
The pruning and styling of linden trees is a way to enhance beauty and health, as well as a way to show personality and creativity. The purpose of pruning and styling is to remove excess branches, maintain the balance and harmony of the tree shape, promote light and ventilation, increase the density and quality of the leaves, and create a variety of interesting shapes and styles. The time for pruning and styling is in spring or autumn, when the linden tree grows slower and wounds heal faster. The tools for pruning and styling are special gardening scissors, or sharp knives, which should be disinfected and cleaned to prevent infection and spread of pests and diseases.
The steps and precautions for trimming and styling are as follows:
First of all, it is necessary to observe the overall condition of the linden tree, and determine the goals and plans to be pruned and shaped, such as maintaining the original tree shape, or changing into other tree shapes, such as upright, sloping, double-stemmed, twisted, etc.
Secondly, it is necessary to prune gradually from top to bottom, from the inside to the outside, remove wilts, diseases and insects, cross, repetitive, too long, and too dense branches, retain healthy, vigorous, and characteristic branches, and pay attention to maintaining the symmetry and hierarchy of the crown, as well as the smoothness and elegance of the trunk.
Third, you can use wires, bamboo sticks, ropes and other tools to fix the branches in the desired position and angle, so that they can gradually form the desired shape, such as bending, spiraling, waves, etc. Be careful not to force the branches too much to avoid breaking or damage when modeling, and also pay attention to adjusting and loosening the tools regularly so as not to hinder the growth and respiration of the branches.
Finally, proper care should be given to the linden tree after pruning and modeling, such as applying wound ointment to prevent infection and rot, watering and fertilizing to promote wound healing and new branch growth, as well as shading and protecting from light to prevent light damage and water evaporation.
The linden tree is a beautiful and sacred plant, which can not only be used as an ornamental plant to add to the atmosphere and style of the home, but also as a cultural plant to convey people's beliefs and emotions. To plant a linden tree at home, you need to pay attention to the following aspects:
Select the right seeds or seedlings, germinate or root, and transplant them into small pots.
Choose the right soil and potter, keep the soil fertile, loose and well-drained, repot and prune the roots regularly.
Choose the right light and temperature, keep the light sufficient, shady, and keep the temperature appropriate and stable.
Choose the right amount of water and fertilization to keep the soil moist but not too wet, and keep the right amount of fertilizer but not too much.
Choose the right pruning and styling, remove excess branches, and keep the tree balanced and harmonious to create a variety of interesting shapes and styles.
If you follow these steps and precautions, you can grow a healthy and beautiful linden tree at home and enjoy the freshness and tranquility it brings you.
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