Conifers propagationcan be done in 4 ways: from seeds, through cuttings, layering and grafting. In this way, we can independently enlarge the collection of conifers in our garden. Find outwhich method of reproduction of conifers is the best , which is the easiest and which gives the best results in amateur cultivation. Here are provenways to reproduce conifers !
Propagation of conifers - independently obtained cuttings
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Conifers propagation by cuttings
Species and varieties of yews, cypresses, Chinese metasquoias, juniper, thuja and dwarf and creeping forms of fir, larch pine and sprucewe can reproduce by cutting
The most convenientthe date of reproduction of conifers by cuttingsis August and September. At this time of the year, the shoots are harder and more resilient than in spring, and at the same time flexible enough to be pruned.
Since the woody twigs are hard to root,we choose only one-year-old shoot tipsfor reproduction. However, be careful, because too young shoots will be easily attacked by diseases (Fig. 1).
Young shoots can be taken from the main shoot with a sharp knife.A more recommended method, however, is to vigorously detach the shootsThe seedling collected in this way must have a fragment of an older shoot - a heel and a tab (fig. 2). The seedlings should be 6 to 10 cm long. If they are longer, trim their vertex.
Propagation of conifers by cuttings: 1. taking a shoot on a seedling, 2. removing lower twigs, 3. immersing in rooting
Beforewe plant the prepared conifer cuttings , remove all scales and needles from their lower part and dip them in the rooting agent (fig. 3). The tear-off wound must not be touched with the hand, as it facilitates the penetration of diseases. To reduce the risk of infection, use good quality soil for seedlings.
After planting in the ground,conifer seedlings are kept in warm and humid conditions.The roots develop at a temperature of 18 to 22 ° C. In easily breedable species (e.g. thuja and junipers), the first roots appear after about six to eight weeks. However, it may take much longer.
Conifers reproduction by layering
Usefulmethod of reproduction of conifersin amateur cultivation is reproduction by layering, especially if we cultivate creeping forms, whose shoots have a natural tendency to sprout at the points of contact with the ground.In this case, at the beginning of autumn, we check whether young roots have already formed at the branching points. If it turns out that fragments of shoots have already grown into the substrate, cut off the rooted shoot and gently, so as not to damage the roots, dug out the rooted cuttings, which can be planted elsewhere. We can speed up rooting by sprinkling the roots of the shoots with ground bark or peat, while maintaining a higher soil moisture.
Propagation of conifers from seeds
The most patient can trypropagating conifers from seedsHowever, it must be remembered that the obtained plants often do not repeat the characteristics of the mother plant. In this way, you can reproduce the species itself, but not its varieties, as they will not repeat the features often obtained thanks to the special treatments of nurserymen. We must also remember that propagating trees from seeds requires the most patience.
Conifers reproduction by vaccination
Conifers propagation by vaccinationis the most important method of reproduction among those used in nurseries, but unfortunately quite complicated to use in amateur gardening.However, it is worth trying to inoculate at least a few plants yourself to obtain, for example, interesting forms grafted on a trunk. If it succeeds, the satisfaction will be great!
Grafting can be done in several waysbut the most common type consists in joining together a scion (parts of a noble plant with an attractive needle color, shape or other unique features) with a rootstock (a plant that will constitute the basis for the development of a new tree or bush). 2- or 3-year-old plants, thicker than the scions, are selected as rootstocks for conifers. The cuts are made with a special knife, the so-called littermate. The scion and rootstock can be joined in many ways, but it is best to use specialized vaccination tape.
In our climate, conifers are vaccinated on the following dates:
- February - winter grafting of pines,
- beginning of March (when the days are still short and the temperature fluctuates around 0 ° C) - grafting of spruce, juniper, fir and larch
- turn of August and September - spruces, cypresses and thujas are most often grafted then
