Objective The planting period, transplanting method and pollination time on the seedling growth of Siraitia grosvenorii plantlets were varied to investigate conditions for a high-yield cultivation practice.
Method Five variations on planting periods, 4 on transplanting methods and 6 on pollination times were applied under 2 different weather conditions and 3 pollen storage methods for the experiment to determine the optimal conditions for the plantlet growth and development.
Result Cracking of harvested S. grosvenorii nuts increased when planting was postponed in the season, especially if the planting was held in as late as early-June. A late-April planting was determined to be most desirable. The optimal seedling transplantation was conducted by transferring the seedlings from small nutrient pots to a large ones for greenhouse cultivation until mid-April when the weather became warmer. The plantlets were then transplanted to the field for latter stages of plant growth and fruiting. Pollination was best performed at 10 a.m. on a cool day. By storing in a 5-8℃ refrigerator the pollen vitality could be extended to 3 days.
Conclusion Planting S. grosvenorii seedlings in northern Guangxi required an initial training stage to allow the plantlets grow in a greenhouse prior to field cultivation in between early-April and mid-May. That would better the climbing ability, budding, blossoming and yielding fruit early of the plants. The collected pollens should be stored at 5-8℃, and pollination be completed between 8 and 10 a.m. under cool weather.
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