Perfect! Let’s create a comprehensive Technical Grower’s Guide for Cananga odorata (Ylang-Ylang), tailored for tropical agroforestry, especially in the Philippines, with an option to integrate with high-value trees like Agarwood. I’ll organize it in a practical, step-by-step format for growers.

Cananga odorata (Ylang-Ylang) Technical Grower’s Guide

1. Overview

Scientific Name: Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook.f. & Thomson
Common Names: Ylang-Ylang, Ilang-Ilang, Perfume tree
Family: Annonaceae
Uses: Essential oil production, perfumery, aromatherapy, traditional medicine, ornamental/landscaping, agroforestry companion crop

2. Climate and Soil Requirements

Factor	Requirement
Climate	Tropical humid, 20–35°C, sensitive to frost
Rainfall	1,500–3,000 mm/year, well-distributed
Humidity	>70% ideal
Sunlight	Full sun to partial shade (shade when young)
Soil	Deep, fertile, well-drained; pH 5–7.5
Drainage	Avoid waterlogging; raised beds if soil is heavy

3. Propagation Methods

A. Seed Propagation

Collect mature fruits (dark/black) and extract seeds.
Seed viability: Short (2–3 weeks after harvesting).
Treatment: Soak in water for 24 h to improve germination.
Sowing: Use fine, well-drained medium (sand + compost).
Germination: 3–4 weeks; transplant seedlings when 15–20 cm tall.
Pros: Simple, cheap;
Cons: High variability, slow flowering, inconsistent oil quality.

B. Vegetative Propagation (Recommended)

1. Air-layering

Select healthy branch (1-year-old, 1–2 cm diameter).
Girdle bark (~2–3 cm), apply rooting hormone (IBA 2,000–5,000 ppm).
Wrap with moist sphagnum moss and plastic sheet.
Roots appear in 6–8 weeks; cut and transplant.
Success rate: 70–90%

2. Cuttings

Semi-hardwood cuttings, 15–20 cm long, 3–4 nodes.
Dip in rooting hormone, plant in mist bed or shaded nursery.
Rooting occurs in 6–10 weeks.

3. Grafting (Optional)

Used for elite clones with high oil yield or specific fragrance profile.
Compatible with seedling rootstocks.
Grafting usually done in the nursery; full growth ~3 years to first flowering.

4. Nursery Management

Medium: Sand + compost (1:1) or coco peat.
Container: Polybags 15–20 cm for seedlings; 25–30 cm for air-layered plants.
Watering: Keep medium moist, avoid waterlogging.
Fertilizer: Balanced NPK 10-10-10, ¼ tsp per plant every 2 weeks.
Pest/Disease: Aphids, mealybugs, scale; treat with neem oil or mild insecticidal soap.
Hardening: Gradually acclimate to full sun for 2–4 weeks before field transplanting.

5. Land Preparation & Planting

Site selection: Well-drained, fertile land; avoid steep slopes prone to erosion.
Spacing: 5–7 m x 5–7 m (for full-size trees).
Pit size: 50 × 50 × 50 cm; fill with topsoil + compost + 200 g rock phosphate.
Planting season: Start of rainy season (May–July in PH).
Mulching: Apply 5–10 cm organic mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

6. Fertilization & Nutrient Management

Stage	Fertilizer Type	Application Rate	Notes
Nursery	Balanced NPK 10-10-10	¼ tsp / plant every 2 weeks	For young seedlings
Early Growth (1–2 yrs)	Organic compost / manure	5–10 kg / tree / year	Split into 3–4 applications
Established Trees (3+ yrs)	NPK 14-14-14 or 16-16-16	0.5–1 kg / tree / year	Apply 3x yearly (pre-flowering, peak flowering, post-harvest)
Micronutrients	Zn, B, Mg	As needed	Foliar application improves flower quality

7. Irrigation

Young trees: 2–3 times/week during dry season.
Mature trees: once per week or rely on rainfall if >1,500 mm/year.
Avoid waterlogging to prevent root rot.

8. Pruning and Canopy Management

Remove weak, diseased, or crossing branches.
Shape young trees for open canopy to improve sunlight penetration.
Annual pruning to stimulate flowering and maintain tree health.

9. Flowering and Harvesting

Flowering: Begins 3–4 years after planting from vegetative propagation; may take 5–6 years from seed.
Flower type: Highly fragrant yellow-green flowers in clusters.
Harvesting: Early morning, before full bloom.
Frequency: Every 2–3 days during peak flowering.
Post-harvest handling:
- Handle gently to prevent bruising.
- Transport in baskets with ventilation.
- Distillation must occur within 24 h for premium oil quality.

10. Pest and Disease Management

Problem	Symptoms	Management
Aphids	Curling leaves, sticky honeydew	Neem oil, insecticidal soap
Mealybugs	White cottony patches	Pruning, neem oil
Scale insects	Brown/black bumps on stems	Manual removal, horticultural oil
Leaf spot	Dark spots on leaves	Fungicide spray, proper pruning
Root rot	Yellowing, wilting, poor growth	Ensure well-drained soil, avoid overwatering

11. Yield Estimates

Flowers: 3–5 kg/tree/year at 5–7 years old
Essential oil: 1 kg oil from 300–500 kg fresh flowers (0.3–0.5% yield)
Lifetime productivity: 50+ years with proper care

12. Agroforestry Integration

Companion crops: Agarwood, Sandalwood, Nutmeg, Cinnamon
Benefits: Shade, microclimate regulation, diversified income
Layout Example:
- Ylang-Ylang as intermediate canopy (5–7 m spacing)
- Agarwood seedlings in partial shade under mature Ylang-Ylang
- Nitrogen-fixing trees (e.g., Sesbania grandiflora) on edges

13. Economic Considerations

Initial Investment: Nursery, land prep, planting materials
Revenue Streams:
- Fresh flowers for distillation
- Essential oil (high-value export product)
- Agroforestry integration with high-value trees
Time to Profitability: 4–6 years (vegetative propagated)

14. Key Notes for Philippine Growers

Ylang-ylang is ideal in humid, lowland tropical climates like Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao.
Vegetative propagation ensures uniform oil quality.
Flower handling and prompt distillation are crucial for premium oil grades.
Integrating with Agarwood plantations increases land-use efficiency and diversifies income.

If you want, I can also make a visual “Agroforestry Layout & Timeline for Ylang-Ylang + Agarwood + Nutmeg”, showing planting spacing, growth stages, and harvest timelines, which would be perfect for investors or farm planning.

Do you want me to create that infographic?

Ylang-Ylang Technical Grower’s Guide