How to Grow Mulberries

How to Grow Mulberries

The cultivation of mulberry trees dates back to before Christ and gained prominence for their importance in raising silkworms during the first century AD. Mulberry cultivation flourished in Japan in 300 BC, and by 400 BC, it spread throughout various Asian kingdoms before reaching Europe and America. Mulberries typically grow at altitudes ranging from 650 to 700 meters above sea level. It is believed that the word “mulberry” has Indian origins, derived from Iran and later transferred to the Arabic language.

Mulberries belong to the dicotyledonous plants (Dicotyledonous) of the Moraceae family and the genus Morus. This genus comprises 65 species spread across tropical and subtropical regions, while four of its species thrive in temperate areas. The Morus genus includes 24 species, with four notable ones distinguished by their large leaves, vigorous growth, and the ability to regenerate the tree’s crown annually, making them suitable for feeding silkworms. Some common species are:

• Japanese mulberry (M. Bombycis)
• White mulberry (M. Alba)
• Multistemmed mulberry (M. Multicaulis)
• Kagayama mulberry (M. Kagayamas)
• Black mulberry (M. Nigra)

Methods of Growing Mulberries

Mulberries can be cultivated using various methods:

1. Propagation by Seeds

• Selecting Seeds: Collect seeds from trees with desirable traits such as good production, fruit size, and color. It’s worth noting that mulberries don’t ripen simultaneously, as the ripening process extends from early June to late July.
• Harvesting Ripe Fruits: Shake the trees so that ripe fruits fall onto a sheet, then immediately extract the seeds without leaving them until the next day. Crush the fruits on a large sieve, dry them in a well-ventilated and shaded place, and store them in suitable containers until spring.
• Preparing Seeds for Planting: Soak the seeds in water 2–3 days before planting in a solution containing 1% magnesium chloride and 2% magnesium sulfate. Dry the seeds afterward.
• Planting: Sow the seeds in mid-April, either by hand or using a small seed drill at a depth of 1–2 cm. Cover the surface with organic fertilizer, sand, or sawdust.

Irrigation:

• Water the soil daily using a mist sprayer.
• Once the seedlings emerge, water them every other day.
• When the fifth and sixth leaves appear, reduce watering to every 3–4 days. In the final stage, water every 15–20 days.

When the seedlings are ready, carefully uproot them and plant them at an angle in suitable soil protected from wind. Cover at least half of their stems with sand.

2. Propagation by Cuttings

The method of propagation varies depending on the type of mulberry tree:

• Indian Mulberry: Can be propagated using both vegetative (green) and woody cuttings.
• Japanese Mulberry: Requires growth stimulants like indole-butyric acid for successful propagation using vegetative or woody cuttings.

Woody Cutting Propagation:

• Cut directly under the node and make the top cut at a sharp angle. Ensure each cutting has three buds. Use basal branches that are one year old during winter.
• Tie the cuttings into bundles of 50 and immerse the basal part (2–3 cm) in a solution containing 75 ppm of indole-butyric acid and 150 ppm of naphthalene acetic acid for 24 hours.
• Plant the cuttings upside down (buds facing downward) in the soil for 40 days.

Vegetative Cutting Propagation:

• Conducted during summer and fall using green branches a few months old. The process is similar to woody cutting but performed in plastic boxes placed in greenhouses under mist systems.

3. Propagation by Grafting

There are several grafting techniques:

• Tongue Grafting:
  • Done in early March when sap flow is active. Prepare and refrigerate scions during winter. Ensure the rootstock and scion are of similar thickness.
  • Cut the rootstock and create an angled cut, then press to separate the bark from the wood. Prepare scions slightly thinner than the rootstock, with at least two buds.
  • Shape the bottom of the scion into a wedge and insert it into the rootstock under the bark. Secure the graft with soil to hold it in place.
• Budding:
  • Performed in spring. Scions are prepared in the fall and stored in cool, humid conditions. Scions should measure 15 mm thick, 40 cm long, and contain buds.
  • Make a T-shaped cut on the northern side of the rootstock and insert the scion with the bud. Secure with grafting tape or mastic.
• Patch Budding:
  • Plant saplings in pre-prepared pits and trim one-third of the roots before planting. Cover the roots with soil mixed with organic fertilizer to half the depth of the pit, water thoroughly, then fill the pit.
  • Support the sapling with a stake to protect it from wind. Cut above seven buds if the sapling lacks side branches. If it has branches, select the best ones and prune them to about half a meter, leaving 2–3 buds below the cut.

Health Benefits of Mulberries

Mulberries have several health benefits, including:

1. Urinary Health: Helps treat urinary tract infections.
2. Stomach Health: Drinking mulberry juice can prevent stomach inflammation by modulating harmful bacteria.
3. Heart Health: Maintains cardiovascular health.
4. Cellular Aging: Slows down cellular aging.
5. Cancer Prevention: According to Ohio University research, mulberry juice can inhibit the growth and spread of cancer cells in the pharynx due to its antioxidant properties.