Detailed Explanation of Cultivation Methods and Key Technical Points for Evodia

Evodia, also known as Wu Zhuyu (Euodia rutaecarpa), is a common traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It is a bitter stomachic and analgesic, and is also used as a drug against roundworms. Cultivating it can bring good economic benefits, so what are the cultivation methods for Evodia?

1. What are the cultivation methods for Evodia?

1. Site selection and land preparation

It can generally be planted on hillside land, plains, in front of and behind houses, and along roadsides. Apply 2000-3000 kg of farmyard manure per mu as base fertilizer, plow deeply and expose to the sun for several days, break up the soil and rake it level, and make raised beds 1-13 m wide.

2. Timely transplanting

Transplant in winter and spring, with winter transplanting being better (around December). In spring (March to April), dig holes at a plant and row spacing of 330-400 cm, with a diameter of 50-60 cm. The depth of the holes depends on the length of the roots. First apply decomposed barnyard manure or river mud as base fertilizer, then plant the seedlings and press the soil firmly. When the seedlings are small at first, they can be intercropped or relay intercropped with peanuts, beans, sweet potatoes, and the like.

3. Field management

Cultivate and weed in a timely manner and keep the soil moist. Before spring sprouting, apply decomposed human manure and urine once. The amount of fertilizer depends on the age of the tree. For a three-year-old tree, apply 10-25 kg of human manure and urine per plant in a shallow ring-shaped trench about 48 cm from the plant, then cover with soil. Before flowering and fruiting in July, apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer once. In winter, apply compost (or river mud, human manure and urine), plant ash, and the like once, and earth up the soil to prevent freezing.

4. Pruning and shaping

When the young tree is 80-100 cm tall, cut off the top shoot of the main trunk to promote sprouting. Among the side branches growing in all four directions, select and retain 3-4 healthy branches and cultivate them as main branches. In the summer of the second year, select and retain 3-4 well-developed branches in the leaf axils of the main branches and cultivate them as secondary main branches. After that, allow side branches to grow from the main branches. After several years of shaping and pruning, form a naturally open-center, high-yielding tree shape that is round outside and hollow inside, with an open canopy, good ventilation and light penetration, and a short trunk and low crown. After 3-4 years, it can enter the full fruiting period.

2. Pest and disease control for Evodia

1. Sooty mold

Also called sooty blotch. It is induced by damage from aphids and scale insects on Wu Zhuyu, causing irregular dark brown soot-like spots. In the later stage, the leaves and branches are covered with a thick layer of soot, and diseased trees bloom and fruit less.

During the occurrence period of aphids and scale insects, spray 40% dimethoate emulsifiable concentrate diluted 2000-3000 times, or 25% phosmet 800-1000 times solution, once every 7 days, for 2-3 consecutive applications. During the disease period, spray Bordeaux mixture at 1:0.5:150-200, once every 10-14 days, for 2-3 consecutive applications.

2. Rust

Rust mainly harms the leaves of Wu Zhuyu. In the early stage of the disease, nearly round, not very obvious yellow-green small spots and orange-yellow blister-like spots form on the leaves, causing the leaves to wither and die.

Spray 0.3 degree Baume lime sulfur mixture or 65% zineb wettable powder 500 times solution, once every 7-10 days.

3. Longhorn beetle larvae

The larvae bore and feed inside the trunk, causing the stem to become hollow and die. From July to October, on the main trunk below 30 cm above the ground, there appear ungranular gummy secretions, wood shavings, and insect droppings.

Use a small knife to scrape off egg masses and newly hatched insects. If larvae have bored into the woody interior, pour wettable benzene hexachloride powder 50 times solution into the outside of the bore hole, or soak medicinal cotton in 80% dichlorvos original liquid and insert it into the bore hole, then seal the opening to kill the larvae.

Evodia, or Wu Zhuyu, is not strict about soil requirements; it only needs to maintain good air permeability. Later management is also not difficult. Farmers who want to grow it can follow the above methods.