What are the precautions for growing Eucommia ulmoides? Detailed explanation of cultivation key points

The main function of Eucommia ulmoides is to tonify, and it is an excellent medicine for people with relatively weak liver and kidney function. It also has the effect of preventing miscarriage. In ancient times, the imperial concubines in the palace would use this medicinal herb to prevent miscarriage, while ordinary common people could not afford it, which shows its preciousness. Today we need to learn about some precautions to note when growing this medicinal herb, Eucommia ulmoides. Let us take a look together below.

1. Seed treatment

Eucommia ulmoides can be sown in two seasons, namely spring and autumn. If the seeds of Eucommia ulmoides are sown directly, both the germination speed and the later growth speed are very slow. Therefore, before sowing, we generally scald the seeds in hot water at 40 to 50 degrees. After about five or six hours, remove the seeds, soak them in cold water for about half an hour, and then put them back into hot water. After repeating this method three or four times, remove the seeds. Finally, mix the seeds with sand and a chemical agent, and place them at a suitable temperature for seed germination to promote sprouting. If the temperature is not enough, cover them with a layer of plastic film to keep them warm. When basically all the seeds have sprouted young buds, they can be sown. This greatly improves the survival rate of Eucommia ulmoides.

2. Planting density

Eucommia ulmoides is different from other medicinal herbs. It can survive continuously for many years and will grow larger and larger. Therefore, when planting, it is necessary to consider the space it will need after growing larger. This not only allows Eucommia ulmoides to grow better, but also reduces the later task of transplanting due to excessive density. Generally, the planting spacing is 3 m between rows and 2 m between plants.

3. Fertilizer and water management

In order to drain and irrigate better, we first dig drainage ditches when planting. The first watering of Eucommia ulmoides is needed at sowing time, when the land needs to be watered thoroughly so that it can germinate quickly. The second watering is within one week after planting out, because some are transplanted during planting out, so watering is necessary to ensure full survival and provide it with sufficient moisture. At the same time, the first topdressing is also needed during this period. The fertilizer needed for the growth of Eucommia ulmoides is generally biased toward organic fertilizer, because only this can make it grow better. Other fertilizers do not have a particularly large effect on it. Next, when Eucommia ulmoides develops to a certain stage, it will bloom, so watering and fertilizing are also needed at this time. The main fertilizing method is foliar spraying. Finally, fertilizer must be applied after each harvest, because only in this way can Eucommia ulmoides have a higher yield the following year.

4. Disease control

Eucommia ulmoides generally develops diseases during the seedling stage, and after five years it rarely develops diseases. Therefore, preventive measures against it must be strengthened during the seedling stage. The main diseases are damping-off and root rot. If root rot is relatively severe, it will directly cause the entire plant to die. The early symptoms of damping-off are a small amount of branches and leaves withering, and in severe cases it can also cause the entire plant to wither. Therefore, if sufficient preventive measures and preparations for diseases are not made, then the yield will be very dismal.

5. Harvesting methods

There are three harvesting methods for Eucommia ulmoides, because its fruit can be harvested, its flowers can be harvested, and its bark can also be harvested, and the most commonly used is its bark. As for flowers and fruit, we all know that they will bloom and mature at a certain time, while bark also has requirements. We cannot harvest the bark too early, because bark harvested too early does not have much medicinal effect, belongs to defective products, and has little use value. Therefore, it is generally best to harvest it a little later, but the bark cannot be peeled too late either, because if the bark is peeled only in winter, then it will freeze to death.

6. Maintenance methods

After harvesting, we need to carry out maintenance on it, which can extend its service life and also allow us to obtain a good yield the following year. After harvesting the flowers and fruit, we need to water and fertilize it to maintain sufficient nutrients for its growth. Next, after peeling the bark, Eucommia ulmoides is very prone to disease and will also attract many pests. Therefore, after peeling the bark, we need to spray a layer of chemical agent on it to protect the branches from being damaged by pests. Finally, if the bark is peeled relatively late and new bark has not yet grown by winter, we need to wrap it with a layer of plastic film to maintain temperature and prevent frost injury.

The above is what Qinnong.com brings to you about some issues that need attention when growing Eucommia ulmoides. Although these issues are all very ordinary matters, if they are all done well, then the annual yield will increase, and the money that can be earned will also be greater.