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CUDRANIA TRICUSPIDATA - Che, Chinese
Che |
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CULTURE |
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Location: Ches need a warm, sunny location.
They should not be planted near sidewalks since the fallen fruit
will stain. Like the mulberry, the trees are quite wind-resistant.
One method of planting is to put a male and a female plant in a
single site, about 1 ft. apart, and prune to a combined volume of
approximately 25% male and 75% female.
Soil: The trees are relatively undemanding, but perform best in
a warm, well-drained soil, ideally a deep loam.
Irrigation: Although somewhat drought-resistant,
ches need to be watered in dry seasons. In summer dry California
a deep watering about every two weeks is recommended. If the roots
become too dry during drought, the plant may began to defoliate
and the unripe fruit is likely to drop.
Fertilization: An annual application
of a balanced fertilizer such as 10:10:10 NPK in late spring will
maintain satisfactory growth. Nitrogen is the only element likely
to be needed in California.
Pruning: The trees need regular pruning
to control their shape. The branches formed the previous season
should be pruned to half their length. The branchlets on the remaining
part of the branches should also be trimmed about 50%. A summer
pruning of the male plant is also necessary when planted in a single
site with the female. To grow as a tree, in addition to pruning
the lateral branches, the leading branch may also need to be staked
to point it in a vertical direction. Trees grafted onto Osage orange
(Maclura pomifera) rootstock tend to be more robust and grow in
a more upright fashion.
Propagation: The trees need regular
pruning to control their shape. The branches formed the previous
season should be pruned to half their length. The branchlets on
the remaining part of the branches should also be trimmed about
50%. A summer pruning of the male plant is also necessary when planted
in a single site with the female. To grow as a tree, in addition
to pruning the lateral branches, the leading branch may also need
to be staked to point it in a vertical direction. Trees grafted
onto Osage orange (Maclura pomifera) rootstock tend to be more robust
and grow in a more upright fashion.
Pests and diseases: No pests or diseases
have been noted. The ripe fruit is attractive to birds, and deer
will browse on both the fruit and foliage.
Harvest: Ches begin to bear at an early
age and mature trees can produce as much as 400 pounds of fruit.
The fruits ripen around November in California. Unlike mulberries,
the ripe fruits do not separate easily from the tree and must be
individually picked. It is important that the fruits be thoroughly
ripe to be at their best. A darker shade of red with some blackening
of the skin is a good indication of full ripeness. The fruit will
keep for several days in a refrigerator in a covered dish. The fruits
can be eaten out of hand or cooked in various ways. Cooking with
other fruits that can contribute some tartness improves the taste.
Mixing the ripe fruit in a blender and straining out the seeds yields
a beautiful and delicious che "nectar".
Commercial potential: In China and
other parts of East Asia the fruit is sometimes found in local
markets, but is relatively unknown commercially elsewhere. The
attractive color and reasonable shelf life of the che seem to
indicate that with a little effort, there could be a niche for
it in farmer's markets and specialty stores. There also appears
to be some demand for the fruit in Asian markets. Better selection
should further increase the marketing potential of the che. A
seedless fruit or one with with a bit of tartness would be a great
improvement, as would earlier ripening cultivars that separate
readily from the branches.
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CULTIVARS |
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In China various selections of the che are
grown, but in this country there are no known cultivars as such. |
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