A Complete Guide to Elaeagnus Planting Techniques and Management Methods

SummarySoil: Elaeagnus is suitable for growing in acidic, neutral and calcareous soils. Sowing: pile up the harvested Elaeagnus fruits, wait for them to ferment and rot, then wash the seeds clean before sowing. The furrow sowing method can be used, and transplanting can generally be done after about 30 days. Cuttage: carry out cuttage in early April, and be sure to provide proper shade during cuttage. Reasonable close planting: about 6000-7000 plants can be planted per hectare. Later management: regular intertillage and weeding, fertilization, and timely pruning.

I. The growing environment of Elaeagnus

1. Elaeagnus is relatively cold-tolerant. In the southern part of North China it can overwinter in the open field, and it can grow normally at minus 8°C. The suitable growing temperature is 24-34°C, and its tolerance to high and low temperatures is relatively strong.

2. Elaeagnus likes to grow under trees on hillsides or in shady, damp valleys. Its shade tolerance is relatively strong, but it is also not averse to strong direct sunlight.

3. Elaeagnus has low requirements for soil. It can generally grow in acidic, neutral and calcareous soils. It is relatively tolerant of drought and poor soil, but not of waterlogging.

II. Planting methods for Elaeagnus

1. Sowing

Generally, in mid-to-late May each year, after the fruits are harvested, they are piled up to ferment and rot on their own, and then the seeds can be sown after being washed clean.

Because the germination rate of the seeds is only about half, the sowing amount needs to be appropriately increased. The furrow sowing method can be used, with a row spacing of about 15-20cm, then covering with about 1.5cm of soil. To ensure a certain level of moisture, a layer of grass can be spread over it.

After sowing, as the temperature rises, all the seedlings will generally emerge in about 30 days. At this time, a shade shed can be built, and fertilizer can be applied 2 times. By the following spring, the seedlings can be divided and transplanted, and after 1-2 years of cultivation they can be released from the nursery.

2. Cuttage

Elaeagnus is generally propagated by cuttage in early April. The cuttings should be selected from 1-2 year old branches, cut into sections 12-15cm long, with 1-2 leaves retained, and inserted into the soil about 5-7cm.

When carrying out cuttage in an open-field seedbed, a shade shed needs to be built, and pot cuttage also needs to be maintained under a shade shed. Roots will generally form in about 2 months, and after being cultivated in the seedbed for a period of time they can be transplanted.

3. Reasonable close planting

Elaeagnus has a relatively strong ability to adapt to the environment, and its crown is relatively small, so it is quite suitable for close planting, generally 1-1.5m, with about 6000-7500 plants planted per hectare.

Before planting, pits need to be dug for planting, with both diameter and depth about 60-80 cm. Farmyard manure can be applied as base fertilizer, and after planting, water thoroughly.

4. Later management

After Elaeagnus is planted, in order to promote seedling growth, regular intertillage and weeding are needed in that year, along with fertilizer application. After that, intertillage and weeding are needed about 1-2 times each year.

After the plantation is established, overly dense branches need to be pruned each autumn. In order to maintain ventilation and light penetration, it is mainly enough to prune the drooping branches and tiller shoots. It will generally bear fruit in about 3 years.