Sandalwood is a tree highly prized for its aroma, as it is used in incense and perfumes. The two most common varieties are the citrine sandalwood native to India and that of the dry temperate regions of Australia, where it spread widely thereafter. Once established, it makes for a pleasing tree to look at and potentially profitable to grow. Choose an appropriate place to bury it and germinate the seeds and then transplant them; when it's rooted well, take steps to keep it healthy.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Choose the Area
Step 1. Opt for a sunny area with little rainfall
Sandalwood prefers places with lots of sun, moderate rainfall, and a fairly dry climate for most of the year. The ideal temperature ranges from 12 to 30 ° C, while annual rainfall should fall within the range of 850 to 1200 mm.
As for the altitude, this plant grows well between 350 and 1300m, although it thrives best between 600 and 1000m
Step 2. Choose soil with adequate drainage
Avoid soils where water stagnates, as sandalwood does not tolerate them; if you decide to plant it in sandy soil, make sure the water doesn't drain too quickly.
- This plant prefers red-ferruginous clayey soil.
- You can plant it in sandy, clayey and vertisol soils; vertisuolo is a type of black soil, rich in clay, which hardens strongly when the climate is dry, creating deep cracks in the mud.
- The soil pH should be between 6.0 and 7.5.
- Sandalwood tolerates rocky and gravelly soils.
Step 3. Plant the tree near a suitable host species
This plant can only survive if it grows next to another that guarantees nitrogen fixing, that is the production of ammonium nitrogen, a type of natural fertilizer; sandalwood combines its root system with that of the host plant to receive the nutrients it needs. Ideally you should plant it next to an already established tree, such as a long-lived acacia or casuarina (a genus of tropical evergreen tree, such as ironwood).
- If you are planting host species, space them out of the sandalwood trees at 1.5-2m intervals.
- Caiano (Cajanus cajan) is another great host tree that is perfect for sandalwood.
Part 2 of 4: Germinating the Seeds
Step 1. Soak them in water and then dry them
Soak them for 24 hours, then let them dry under the powerful rays of the sun; after a day of exposure in full sun, you should see that a crack forms on the surface, which means they are ready to germinate.
Step 2. Mix the potting soil
You need to get some red soil, cow manure and sand. In a wheelbarrow or other container mix two parts of red earth with one part of cow manure, one part of sand and fill the planting trays with this mixture.
If you decide to bury seeds directly outdoors, fill the holes in the ground with this mixture before inserting them
Step 3. Bury them
Place the seeds in a small container, such as a recycled cardboard box or seed tray, previously filled with the prepared soil mix and be careful to bury the seeds about 2-2.5cm deep.
Step 4. Water them
Pour in a little water every day, but don't overdo it because sandalwood thrives in rather dry weather conditions; you should see the sprouts appear within 4-8 weeks.
- To understand if it is necessary to wet them further, insert a finger 2-3 cm deep into the soil; if it's dry, you need to water them.
- Do not soak the soil too much, as the sandal tree does not tolerate an excessive amount of water.
Part 3 of 4: Transfer the Floor Plan
Step 1. Dig a hole for the seedling
You need a small shovel or spade to make a 30x3 cm groove.
Step 2. Insert the seedling into the ground
When it is about a month old, it is necessary to transfer it to the ground. Use a trowel to loosen the earth around the edges of the pot tray; stick your fingers along its edges and pull out the seedling, holding it by the root system and carefully inserting it into the hole.
- The ideal time to proceed is in the morning, before the temperature gets too high.
- Make sure the space between the little sandal and the hole is completely filled with earth, as you need to avoid any stagnation of water.
- Space the different sandalwood plants 2.5-4m away from each other.
- Make sure you don't plant sandalwood in protected forest areas.
- In India, the best time to transplant this tree is between May and October.
Step 3. Plant the seedling next to a host tree
You have to make sure that it is within a meter of another plant; if it fails to "connect" to the host species within the first two years, the sandalwood will die.
Make sure the host plant is at least three feet tall before burying the sandalwood
Step 4. Thoroughly remove weeds during the first year
You must remove any weeds that compete with sandalwood for moisture, especially in the first year of life. You also need to make sure that the host species does not deprive the young sandal of too much light; if it starts growing beyond the sandalwood, tilt it sideways or prune it.
Remove any weeds that cling to the sandal
Part 4 of 4: Caring for the Tree
Step 1. Water the sandalwood during dry spells
When the weather is particularly dry, you have to wet it by pouring half a liter of water twice a week; the best time to proceed is in the afternoon to avoid excessive evaporation.
If the rainfall in your area does not exceed an average of 850-1200 mm per week, you need to water the sandalwood regularly
Step 2. Prune the host species
If it starts to keep the sandal in too much shade, you need to prune it or your sapling doesn't get enough light. Make it slightly lower than the sandal, to allow the sandal to receive an adequate amount of sunlight.
Step 3. Protect it from wild herbivores
Since herbivorous animals love the taste of sandalwood, you need to avoid it becoming their "meal". Prevent it from being damaged by installing a fence around the stem to prevent greedy animals from eating the leaves.
