Eucommia Planting Techniques and Cultivation Management Methods
Eucommia (scientific name Eucommia ulmoides Oliver), also known as gutta-percha tree, is a plant of the genus Eucommia in the family Eucommiaceae. The tree can reach a height of 20 m, with a diameter at breast height of about 50 cm. Eucommia contains very few free amino acids; the small amount of protein it contains is a complete protein similar to that in the vast majority of foods, meaning that hydrolysis can detect the 8 amino acids essential to the human body. 15 mineral elements contained in Eucommia have been determined, among which are trace elements such as zinc, copper and iron, as well as macro elements such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium.
Planting Methods
1. Site Selection and Land Preparation
Eucommia likes fertile soil, so it should be planted in soil with high fertility, good ventilation and air permeability, a loose and deep texture, and good drainage and irrigation capacity. After selecting the soil, do the land preparation work well, turn the soil deeply and disinfect it, and dig the planting holes according to the number of plants. Then apply sufficient base fertilizer; the base fertilizer can be applied in each planting hole to increase the seed germination rate. Before sowing, water thoroughly, and wait until the soil has fully absorbed the water before sowing, controlling the sowing density well. After sowing, cover with fine soil and plastic film to improve the conversion rate of water and fertilizer.
2. Seedling Management
After the Eucommia seeds germinate and emerge, pay attention to the permeability of the soil and the amount of weeds; carry out timely intertillage and weeding, and do a good job of water and fertilizer management. Eucommia seedlings are very fragile and cannot adapt to strong light and high temperatures, so cooling and shading work must be done well in summer. Also, when the soil moisture content is too low, water appropriately to prevent drought; however, the soil moisture content should not be too high either. During continuous rainy weather, drain water in time to prevent waterlogging from causing the Eucommia roots to rot. Later, carry out intertillage and weeding according to the growth of the seedlings; intertillage and weeding should be carried out together with topdressing to ensure the nutrients for Eucommia growth.
3. Daily Management
When Eucommia grows to a certain extent, it will shed its leaves; before the seeds sprout in the spring of the second year, the field planting work should be done well. Because the growth ability of young trees is not strong and their speed is relatively slow, the management of young trees should be strengthened, and at least one intertillage and topdressing should be carried out every spring and summer. After entering autumn, according to the growth of the plants, appropriately prune overly long, overly dense and basal branches. Then observe the fertilizer content of the soil and apply fertilizer as appropriate; about one month before harvest, stop topdressing to prevent excessive vegetative growth caused by excessive nutrients.
4. Disease and Pest Control
During the growth of Eucommia, some diseases and pests will inevitably appear, and these diseases and pests pose a relatively large threat to Eucommia. If they are not properly managed, it can easily lead to a total crop failure of Eucommia. Common diseases and pests include damping-off and leopard moth, etc.; these diseases and pests harm different parts of Eucommia such as leaves, roots and stems to varying degrees. They affect yield and quality, so we must strengthen management, promptly clean up fallen leaves and fruit, and prune diseased and damaged branches to be taken out of the plantation in a concentrated manner and burned. This reduces the presence of pathogens and lowers the incidence of disease. After disease occurs, check exactly what disease or pest it is, and then adopt corresponding measures for control.