Latest Euodia Planting Techniques and Methods Tutorial

Euodia is a bitter stomachic and analgesic, also known as Wu Yu, Cha La, Qi La Zi, Chou La Zi Shu, Mi La Zi, etc. It is a small tree or shrub of the genus Euodia in the Rutaceae family, cultivated to a small or large extent in various places south of the Qinling Mountains, growing in open forests or shrub thickets from flat ground up to 1500 m altitude, and is mostly seen on sunny slopes. Let us take a look at the planting techniques for Euodia below!

Growth Habits of Euodia

Euodia is produced in various places south of the Qinling Mountains, but no natural distribution has been seen in Hainan; it was once introduced and cultivated there, but all grew poorly. It has no strict requirements for soil, and can generally be planted on hillside land, plains, in front of and behind houses, and along roadsides. It can grow in neutral, slightly alkaline or slightly acidic soil, but for seedbeds, loam or sandy loam with deep soil layers, relatively fertile soil and good drainage is especially preferred; low-lying waterlogged land is not suitable for planting.

Propagation Methods of Euodia

1. Root cutting propagation: Select a single plant 4-6 years old with a well-developed root system, vigorous growth and thick, excellent quality as the mother plant. In early February, dig out the soil around the root zone of the mother plant, cut off lateral roots the thickness of a chopstick, and cut them into small sections 15 cm long. On a prepared raised bed, open furrows at a row spacing of 15 cm, and at a plant spacing of 10 cm insert the roots obliquely into the soil with the upper ends slightly exposed above the soil surface. Cover with soil and press down lightly, water with diluted manure slurry, then cover with grass. In about 2 months new shoots will grow, and by the next spring or winter they can be lifted from the nursery and planted out.

2. Stem cutting propagation: Select 1-2 year old branches that are robust and free of pests and diseases, take the middle section and cut it into 20 cm long cuttings in February. The cuttings must retain 3 buds, and the lower end near a node should be cut into a slanted surface. Insert the lower end of the cutting into a 1 ml/L indolebutyric acid solution, soak for half an hour, then take it out and insert it into the seedbed. The insertion depth should preferably be 2/3 of the cutting length. Cover with soil and press firm, water and shade. Generally after 1-2 months roots will form, and it can be transplanted in the second year.

3. Tillering propagation: Euodia easily propagates by tillering. Each winter, at a distance of 50 cm from the mother plant, dig out the lateral roots, cut and wound the cortex every 10 cm, cover with soil, apply fertilizer and cover with grass. In the following spring, many root-tiller seedlings will emerge. Remove the covering grass, and when the seedlings are about 30 cm tall, separate and transplant them.

Planting Techniques of Euodia

1. Land selection and preparation: Euodia has no strict requirements for soil, and 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, deep plow 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-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 stable manure or river mud as base fertilizer, then plant the seedlings, cover with soil and press firm. When the seedlings are small at first, they can be intercropped or relay intercropped with peanuts, beans, sweet potatoes, etc.

3. Field management: Carry out timely intertillage and weeding and keep the soil moist. Apply decomposed human manure and urine once before spring sprouting; the amount of fertilizer depends on the tree age. For a three-year-old tree, apply 10-25 kg of human manure and urine per plant, applied in a shallow ring-shaped furrow 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, etc. once, and earth up to prevent freezing.

4. Pruning and training: For young trees, when the plant height is 80-100 cm, cut off the top shoot of the main trunk to promote sprouting. Among the lateral branches growing in all directions, select and retain 3-4 robust branches and train 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 train them as secondary main branches, and afterward let lateral branches grow from the main branches. After several years of shaping and pruning, form a natural open-center high-yielding tree shape with a round exterior and hollow interior, an open canopy, good ventilation and light penetration, and a short trunk and low crown; after 3-4 years it will enter the full fruiting period.

Pest and Disease Control of Euodia

1. Sooty mold

[Symptoms] Sooty mold, also known as sooty blotch, is induced by aphids and scale insects damaging Euodia, 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 bear few flowers and fruits.

[Control] 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 sprays. During the disease period, spray Bordeaux mixture at 1:0.5:150-200, once every 10-14 days, for 2-3 consecutive sprays.

2. Rust disease

[Symptoms] Rust disease mainly harms the leaves of Euodia. In the early stage of the disease, nearly round, inconspicuous yellowish-green small spots and orange-yellow small blister-like spots form on the leaves, causing the leaves to wither and die.

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

3. Old wood borer

[Symptoms] 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, flocculent gummy secretions, wood shavings and insect feces appear.

[Control] Use a small knife to scrape off egg masses and newly hatched insects. If larvae have bored into the wood, pour wettable benzene hexachloride powder 50 times solution into the bore hole, or use cotton soaked in 80% dichlorvos original liquid and plug it into the bore hole, sealing the opening to kill the larvae.