Looking for some advice on growing chaya as forage feed in a cut and carry system.
We really like the chaya seed we received from ECHO because the leaves do not itch us when we’re handling it as did another variety we had previously. But our challenge has been how to maximize the leaf production.
We have tried pruning it a couple of different ways but it seems like it always produces a lot of stalks and not allowing much space for leaves. Is that just the nature of the plant or could we prune it in a certain way to increase leaf production?
Its high production during drought, is one reason we really like this plant…plus the animals love it and they produce very well eating it.
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I have grown Chaya in Durban South Africa for many years. The climate here is subtropical, drier winter but some rain throughout year. We promote Chaya for leaves, poultry, fencing around gardens.
I share your observation esp in hot rainy summer that after cutting Chaya will form long stalks with leaves at the end. I just cut back a huge plant (3M tall) to make cuttings about 6 weeks ago. Today is was bigger than when I cut it back, with new leaves all at the ends. It’s just how Chaya is IMO
I find that Chaya benefits from compost feeding etc you can’t just harvest without giving it something back. In our climate it will shed its leaves in the cool season. If provided additional water it will keep its leaves.
I love the greens and they form the basis of my personal greens in my diet. I find that chickens love it best to hang the Chaya branches facing down into their coop and let the birds strip the leaves from them that way. It’s like a fun game.
I got my Chaya from EHCO by mail to South Africa probably 17 years ago. I just boil it, squeeze the water out of the leaves and eat it like Popeye would eat his spinach. I’m glad to see that Chaya lives. Have eaten raw two cups at a time on many occasions never had a problem.
Because they produce so well during the annual drought, we planted many more this year. Approximately 1000 were planted in our fences. In the fences, we will allow them to grow taller, so as to be living fence posts. In that situation, with a central trunk, will see if they grow any differently in terms of branches spreading out producing a higher percentage of leaves.
Bonsoir Jean, comment tu vas? Le bureau d’ECHO c’est dans le quartier Kalgondin, approximativement ici: https://maps.app.goo.gl/R48JcQGiNcTdjgsp6, sur la rue Teend Beogo juste au sud du ZAD. Ils peuvent te donner les tiges que tu vas metre dans le sol pour propager ton chaya. C’est très simple.
Here are a few points to help you…
1)Nitrogen management is important. Most crops cannibalize lower leaves of nitrogen and move it up to keep growing so much of the problem is the fact that nitrogen is insufficient. Try building up nitrogen reserves in the ground during the rainy season by adding a little human urine every time it rains. Mulching will also have a similar effect since nitrogen moves with the bulk flow of water so the more moisture that is retained in the soil through mulching the more nitrogen moves into the plant during the critical time of the dry season and the more nitrogen is made available through humas as the mulch breaks down. And them more water that penetrates the soil when it rains as a result of organic matter and lack of crust on the surface. #2 Not sure why no one has mentioned this and that is a very small nip at the end of the branches every 2 or 3 weeks is perfect for encouraging more leafy growth. Don’t cut much more than an inch or two and it will branch out every time and that will always get you more leaves. #3 Try bending down some of the stalks wider or even attach them to the ground without breaking them. They will be more receptive of light if splayed outward and if they touch the ground they can root at that point if you can hold them there through a forked stick. Throw some dirt over them. Only some of the branches will be flexible enough to do this. #4 a pyramidal shape is optimal for capturing light if you have them planted in rows without much room between them. They don’t normally grow that way so it takes some training to do that. A weed wacker may increase your efficiency of taking leafy materials and pruning to a pyramidal shape if you have a larger plot.
I have done a lot of study of pruning and light efficiency of trees so just applying what I have observed and studied and hope this is helpful.
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Will try nicking the tip and see what happens but this plant is different than others. It produces sooo many vertical stems there is almost no space for leaves except on the tips.
We have planted some as living fence posts. Once they get tall enough so the main trunk is taller than the fence, we will keep the lower branches trimmed off and see what happens.