Monk fruit, also known as "Luo Han Guo," is a versatile medicinal and edible herb with rich nutritional benefits, often referred to as the "Immortal Fruit." It is a fast-growing plant with a short cultivation cycle, primarily propagated through seeds. So, how long does it take for monk fruit seeds to germinate? Let's find out.
Monk fruit seeds have a hard, woody shell with poor water permeability, directly affecting germination. If not pre-treated before sowing, they may take 30-40 days to begin germinating. Therefore, it is advisable to crack open the seed coat before planting, which can advance the germination period by more than 15 days.
How to Plant Monk Fruit Seeds?
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Site Selection: Choose well-drained, sunny, sloping hillsides with deep, fertile soil rich in organic matter and good permeability. Avoid waterlogging, and opt for dry fields with a pH level of 5.5-6.5.
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Soil Preparation and Fertilization: Plow and harrow the selected site in the winter preceding planting. A few days before planting, plow again, make ridges, and apply 5 kilograms of well-rotted stable manure per hole, mixing it thoroughly with the soil to prepare planting mounds.
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Seed Collection and Treatment: Select robust, high-quality, prolific, and disease-resistant plants as seed parent plants. When the fruits are fully ripe, collect the seeds and store them properly. Sow them during the appropriate season, usually from early spring to around Qingming Festival (Tomb-Sweeping Day).
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Germination Treatment: Use a single-edged blade to make a light incision at the side seam of the seed, pry open the seed coat, and remove the kernel. Choose plump kernels for germination. Before germination, disinfect the seeds by soaking them in a 500-fold dilution of carbendazim for 8-10 minutes. Then, rinse the seeds and place them on germination beds, maintaining a temperature of around 25-28°C.
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Sowing Method: Directly sow the seeds in rows on seedbeds. Make furrows spaced 25 centimeters apart and 2 centimeters deep. Cover the seeds with fine soil, level the beds, and cover with straw.
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Transplantation: After the formation of small tubers in the same year, transplant them. Use raised planting beds with a width of 2-2.5 meters. Leave a ditch in the middle, with a depth and width of 10-15 centimeters and 30-40 centimeters, respectively. Before planting, form soil ridges on the beds, and plant 130-150 plants per mu (approximately 0.07 hectares).
In summary, while monk fruit seeds themselves have relatively low germination efficiency, pre-treatment such as cracking the shell can effectively shorten the germination period, enabling the cultivation of robust seedlings for field planting. With proper field management and timely harvesting, profitable returns can be achieved.
