How to Grow Aralia elata (Japanese Angelica Tree)? Cultivation Methods and Key Technical Points

When growing Aralia elata, you need to select loose and fertile soil. There are no strict requirements for land selection, but before planting you must clear and prepare the site, removing relatively obvious stones. The planting time for Aralia elata is April each spring, using the conventional planting method. In the first year after planting, focus on clearing weeds in the field; after the second or third year, you can appropriately expand the planting holes. The harvesting of tender buds is concentrated from late April to late May each year. Never harvest male buds.

How to Grow Aralia elata

1. Site Selection

Selection and site preparation: choose loose, fertile soil with a soil layer more than 10 cm deep on barren hills, wasteland, or open spaces under forest. In the autumn of the year before planting, clear and prepare the site, removing tree roots and large stones. If the growing site is cultivated land, site preparation can be done in spring.

2. Planting

The annual planting time is early to mid-April in spring, once the soil has thawed more than 20 cm; autumn planting can be done after the Aralia elata leaves fall and before the soil freezes. Before planting, deep plow the land first and then dig planting holes. When planting, the seedling stem should be vertical and the root system should be spread out, then cover with fine topsoil.

3. Management

In the first year after planting, focus mainly on weeding. If aphids and other pests occur during the growing season, promptly use low-toxicity pesticides or biological pesticides for control. In the second to third spring after planting, expand the planting holes. After harvesting buds in spring, prune and train the branches. This prevents the plants from becoming too tall and difficult to harvest, and at the same time promotes more branching and increases yield. Pruning time is generally mid-to-late May and should not be too late.

In the fourth to fifth year after planting, renew the plants to promote sprouting. After the soil thaws in spring, cut the roots around the old plants to promote new shoots. After harvesting the tender buds, cut the old plants off at the base.

4. Harvesting

Harvest the tender buds of Aralia elata from late April to late May. Harvest when the buds are 6-10 cm long and have not yet unfolded leaves. Never harvest male buds; male buds are purple, slender, and have hard prickles, and are not edible.