Dodonaea (viscosa)

Kim Wilkinson Craig Elevitch Permanent Agriculture Resources P.O. Box 428 Holualoa, Hawaii 96725 808-324-4427 808-324-4129 (fax) par@agroforestry.net www.agroforestry.net

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Family Scientific Name:	Sapindaceae
Family Common Name:	Soapberry
Scientific Name:	Dodonaea viscosa Jacq.
Common Name:	`a'ali'i, `a'ali'i ku makani, `a'ali'i ku ma kua, kumakani (Hawaii); native hop bush (English); te kai boia (Kiribati); lala vao (Samoa)
Ecotype:	widely adapted, elevation 3 m - 2,350 m
General Distribution:	Pantropical; Indigenous to all Hawaiian Islands except Kaho'olawe.
Propagation Goal:	plants
Propagation Method:	seed
ProductType:	Container (plug)
Time To Grow:	0
Target Specifications:	Height: 25 cm, Stem diameter: 10 mm
Propagule Collection:	Seeds are contained in papery winged capsules (commonly seen in lei haku). Mature seeds are small, round and black, about 2 mm in diameter. Although not true to seed, it is best to collect seed from the same bioregion as where the planting stock will be planted.
Propagule Processing:	Air dry the mature capsules until they are easy to break open by hand. Rub the capsules between the hands over a sieve or strainer with openings slightly larger than the seeds. The seeds will fall through and can be separated from remaining chaff by light blowing. Germination is commonly about 50%.
Pre-Planting Treatments:	It is said that fresh `a'ali'i seeds require no pretreatment to germinate. A'ali'i seeds will germinate faster if pretreated with hot water. Pour 3 parts near boiling water over the seeds, and let the seeds soak for 24 hours. Floaters should be discarded. Germination may be increased for certain seedlots by first soaking the seeds in a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution for 2-3 minutes, then rinse.
Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:	Because the seeds of `a'ali'i are so small, it's a good idea to pregerminate the seeds in trays of 1 part peat to 3 parts perlite. Transplant emergents to individual containers at the 4 leaf stage. A rain protected but sunlit area is necessary for germination in trays (such as a cold-frame with clear film roof). After the germination and early establishment phase, light shade to full sun is recommended for growing out the individual seedlings in containers. The growth medium must be well-drained. Otherwise, `a'ali'i is not too particular. Andersen Band Pots 2 3/8" by 5" inches deep or other root-training containers of similar or greater volume (164 ml) work well. A well-drained potting media such as 50% Sunshine peat moss, 25% perlite, 25% vermiculite, amended with a little compost, dolomite lime, gypsum, micronutrients and slow-release fertilizer such as osmocote 14-14-14 is used. Potting media should also be inoculated with VAM (mycorrhizal fungi), available from commercial suppliers and garden centers. Once the seedlings reach 15-20 cm, they can be moved up to larger root training containers (such as Tall Ones, available from Steuwe & Sons), or outplanted.
Establishment Phase:	Sprinkle the pretreated seeds over a mix consisting of 3 parts perlite to 1 part peat or a similar fine commercial potting mix. Cover lightly using 2-4 mm of mix. Keep moist with a fine mist sprayer so as not to disturb the tiny germinants. Some light (partial shade) is recommended. Germination generally takes 7 - 28 days or longer for certain seedlots. Emergents are transplanted at the 4-leaf stage into larger containers.
Length of Establishment Phase:	2 - 6 weeks
Active Growth Phase:	Seedlings should be grown in light shade or full sun. Keep seedlings well spaced apart to allow maximum penetration of sunlight and air circulation. In some cases, amending with additional fertilizer such as a light top dressing of Gro-More 8-8-8 will aid in growth and development. Over-fertilization with nitrogen can lead to scale infestation, which should be treated with insecticidal soap and a reduction in nitrogen fertilizer.
Length of Active Growth Phase:	3 - 4 months
Hardening Phase:	Space seedlings out further if necessary. Seedlings should never be allowed to dry out, but watering frequency may be reduced to introduce seedlings to temporary, moderate water stress. If fertilization is necessary during the hardening phase, N fertilizer should be minimized or eliminated, with emphasis on P, K, and micronutrients.
Length of Hardening Phase:	1 month
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping:	When seedlings have reached target size, they may be delivered to the planting site. Keeping them in their containers helps protect the roots and allows the plants to stand up in cardboard boxes. Seedlings must be protected from wind and excessive heat during transport, but refrigeration is not recommended.
References:	Bornhorst, Heidi L. 1996. Growing native Hawaiian plants: a How-to Guide for the Gardener. The Bess Press, Honolulu. Little, Elbert L. and Roger G. Skolmen. 1989. Common Forest Trees of Hawai`i (Native and Introduced). United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Agriculture Handbook 679. National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG). 1990. Plant of the Month: `A`ali`i. Hawaii Plant Conservation Center, NTBG, Lawai, HI Thaman, R.R., C.R. Elevitch and K.M. Wilkinson. 2000. "Multipurpose Trees for Agroforestry in the Pacific Islands. In: Elevitch, C.R. and K.M. Wilkinson. 2000. Agroforestry Guides for Pacific Islands. Permanent Agriculture Resources, Holualoa, HI. web: http://www.agroforestry.net University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. 2001. Hawaiian Native Plant Propagation Database. Honolulu, HI. Web: http://www2.hawaii.edu/~eherring/hawnprop/dod-visc.htm Wagner, Warren L., Darrel R. Herbst, and S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowering plants of Hawai'i. 2 vols., Bishop Museum Special Publication 83. University of Hawaii Press and Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu.

Citation:

Elevitch, Craig R.; Wilkinson, Kim M.. 2003. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Dodonaea viscosa Jacq. plants Permanent Agriculture Resources Holualoa, Hawaii. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/07/02). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.