The Latest Tutorial on Cultivation Techniques and Methods for Chinaberry Tree

The chinaberry tree (Melia azedarach) is a type of traditional Chinese medicinal herb, and it has relatively high utilization value, which is mainly reflected in five aspects: its flowers, fruits, leaves, root bark, and its timber. In China, the chinaberry tree is mainly distributed in the areas south of the Yellow River, and it has already been widely cultivated artificially. So do you know how to plant the chinaberry tree? Do you understand its planting techniques? Then today let us learn about the cultivation techniques of the chinaberry tree together.

1. Site selection and land preparation

The chinaberry tree has the characteristics of preferring warmth, preferring moisture, tolerating alkali, and tolerating poor soil. Generally, sandy soil with deep soil layers, loose soil texture, fertile soil, good drainage, rich humus content, and good permeability is suitable. However, slightly acidic red soil, yellow soil, sandy soil, black soil, and so on can also be used to plant the chinaberry tree. However, it should be noted that heavy clay land and shady land with poor drainage are also not suitable for planting the chinaberry tree. When preparing the land, the gravel, dead branches, tree roots, weeds, and so on in the field should be cleaned up; at the same time, plowing and turning should be carried out in combination with base fertilizer. The amount of base fertilizer should be controlled at 3,000 to 4,000 kg per mu, mainly organic fertilizer. Finally, break the soil clods into fine pieces and level the ground, then wait for planting.

2. Propagation methods

There are mainly two propagation methods for the chinaberry tree, namely seed propagation and cutting propagation. For seed propagation, the seeds must be treated before sowing, otherwise the sprouting speed is slow and the sprouting rate is very low. The treatment method is generally to soak the chinaberry tree seeds in water at about 70 to 80 degrees, and after the seeds fully absorb water, take them out for germination. After about 10 percent of the seeds show white sprouts, they can be sown; but before sowing, the seeds need to be soaked in potassium permanganate solution for a few minutes, which can improve the resistance of the seeds. Cutting propagation is generally carried out from the end of February to early March each year. Select healthy chinaberry tree branches, cut them into 15 cm small sections, and then insert them at a row spacing of 35 cm.

3. Transplanting and field planting

When the chinaberry tree seedlings grow to about 35 to 50 cm, we then carry out seedling transplanting and field planting. The planting density is generally about 55 to 110 plants per mu. At the beginning, the row spacing for cultivation is 3 m to 4 m, and the plant spacing is 2 m to 3 m. When the plants grow again, we also need to transplant and plant them again, with a row spacing of 5 m to 6 m and a plant spacing of 4 m to 5 m. When planting, it is necessary to ensure that the root system of the chinaberry tree seedlings is fully spread out, so the length, width, and height of the planting hole are generally about 50 to 70 cm.

4. Cultivation management

After the chinaberry tree is planted, check its survival status and replant seedlings in time to ensure that the chinaberry trees in the field are complete. In the first three years after cultivation, the fertilization frequency is generally three times per year, and watering is generally about five times. Topdressing is mainly based on quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer and quick-acting phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, with the amount per plant controlled at about 1 jin, applied by trenching. Watering is carried out according to the growth conditions of the chinaberry tree seedlings, and at the same time, during rainy periods, pay attention to drainage to avoid water accumulation in the field. Finally, timely cultivating, weeding, and earthing up are also needed to ensure soil permeability, while avoiding damage to the root system of the chinaberry tree.

5. Pest and disease control

The most common diseases of the chinaberry tree during growth include canker disease, brown spot disease, witches' broom disease, mosaic disease, and leaf spot disease. We can use targeted agents for control, such as chlorothalonil, Bordeaux mixture, and so on. The main pests are the yellow slug moth, the flat slug moth, the spotted lanternfly, and the star longhorn beetle, which can be controlled with dimethoate, fenitrothion, and so on.

Chinaberry tree planting is generally carried out according to this process. Of course, when planting, we also need to pay attention to pruning the tree shape, which is also very beneficial to the later yield of the chinaberry tree.