How to Grow Glossy Privet: Planting Methods and Precautions

The glossy privet (Ligustrum lucidum) has lush branches and leaves in all four seasons, and its tree shape is neat and uniform, so it is often used in landscape construction. It has strong adaptability, very low requirements for the growing environment, tolerates pruning well, and is very easy to propagate, so glossy privet can also be made into potted plants for ornamental use. So, how should glossy privet be grown? What should be noted during the planting process of glossy privet?

How to Grow Glossy Privet

Generally, it is propagated by sowing or by cuttings. But the most commonly used method is sowing. It can be sown in spring or in winter.

1. Spring sowing

1. Seed collection. The seeds of glossy privet generally mature at the end of each year, that is, between November and December, and this is the best time to collect the seeds. First, you need to choose a glossy privet tree that looks relatively robust and excellent in tree shape and all other aspects. The seeds collected from such a glossy privet tree will grow more robustly. Then use scissors to cut off the fruit clusters, pull off the fruits, then put them in clean water for about a week before removing the fruit skins, then wash them clean and let them dry. After that, the seeds need to be stored in moist conditions, and in March or April of the following spring they can be taken out and soaked in 40 degrees C water before planting.

2. Planting environment. First, you need to choose a place that is sheltered from the wind, sunny, and has good drainage and irrigation conditions. As for the soil, choose fertile soil with more organic matter; generally, sandy loam and light clay can be mixed and prepared, which is conducive to seed germination.

3. Sowing method. Directly scatter the seeds onto the cultivation site, then cover with a layer of soil. A certain amount of fertilizer can be applied, generally mainly manure, which helps increase nutrients during seed development and can also promote seed germination.

2. Winter sowing

Glossy privet seeds can also be sown in winter. Generally, this is done before the winter freeze, and no other treatment of the seeds is needed. The planting method is the same as for spring sowing.

Glossy Privet Planting Methods and Precautions

1. Site selection and land preparation

Choose a sunny slope, preferably sandy loam with fertile soil, loose texture, deep soil layer, and good drainage. After selecting the site, plow and turn the soil in autumn, apply sufficient base fertilizer, rake it fine and level it, then make seedbeds 1 m wide and 13-15 cm high.

2. Planting methods

1. Sowing

Seed treatment: Collect the seeds after they mature, rub the seed coats, wash them clean, dry them in the shade, and stratify them in moist sand. Before sowing, soak the seeds in warm water for germination treatment, and sow after the seeds begin to sprout.

Sowing method: Both drilling and broadcasting can be used, but drilling is better. Generally sow in late December, open furrows on the seedbed, with a furrow spacing of 15 cm and a furrow depth of 4-6 cm, sow the seeds evenly in the furrows, and cover with soil 1-1.5 cm thick.

2. Transplanting

Generally in February-March or October-November. Open holes according to a row spacing and plant spacing of 3.5-4 m, with a hole depth of 40 cm, apply base fertilizer at the bottom of the hole, add 15-20 cm of soil, then take 1-2 year old seedlings (large seedlings should be kept with soil, and part of the branches and leaves should be cut off to increase the survival rate) and plant them in the holes, then cover with soil and press firm. In addition, cutting and layering propagation methods can also be used, generally mostly carried out in spring and autumn.

3. Field management

1. Loosening soil and weeding. After the seedlings emerge in the nursery, loosen the soil and weed in time to prevent the field from being overgrown with weeds. When the seedlings are 10-13 cm tall, carry out the first loosening of soil and weeding, and thereafter carry out 2-3 times each year; in winter and summer, combine loosening the soil and weeding with earthing up around the roots. When the transplanting site encounters dry weather, water it. 2. Topdressing. After transplanting, topdress 2 times each year, the first time before the Beginning of Autumn, and the second time around the Beginning of Winter, preferably with organic fertilizer, and the amount applied depends on the growth of the plant.

3. Pruning and shaping. Starting from the second year after the young trees survive, carry out one pruning and shaping at the end of winter and beginning of spring, cutting off dead branches, weak branches, and sprouting branches from the roots. If the trunk is curved, a wooden support frame is needed to shape the branches so that a crown gradually forms; for mature trees, according to their growth, carry out one pruning and training each year to facilitate directional growth, ventilation and light penetration, and promote the development of fruiting branches.

Pest and Disease Control of Glossy Privet

1. Diseases

Rust: At the early stage of the disease, spray 20% carboxin emulsifiable concentrate at 400 times dilution; or 50% Tuzet wettable powder at 800 times dilution, or Bordeaux mixture at 1:1:200. During the disease period, spray 25% fenarimol wettable spray at 2500-4000 times dilution once about every 15 days.

2. Insect pests

(1) Ligustrum geometer moth: Remove the silk webs on the glossy privet plants at any time to eliminate pupae, eggs, and larvae; during the larval occurrence period, spray 90% trichlorfon at 1000-1500 times dilution.

(2) Wax insect: Combined with pruning, remove some branches densely covered with insects, and use bamboo strips or other objects to scrape off the insects densely gathered on the branches; after the nymphs hatch, when about 60% have crawled out from the mother body, spray a 1000 times mixed solution of 0.5 kg of 25% phosmet emulsifiable concentrate.

(4) Cloud-patterned longhorn beetle: Capture and kill adults in time; during the egg, larval, and adult stages, spray 50% fenitrothion emulsifiable concentrate at 40 times dilution and insert it into the insect holes to poison the larvae that have bored into the xylem.

Precautions for Pruning Glossy Privet

1. When pruning glossy privet in summer, mainly shorten the branches, cut short the competitive branches of the main branches of the glossy privet, and remove the sprouting branches on the trunk and roots.

2. Winter pruning requires shortening, but when retaining buds, the direction should be opposite to that of the previous year; thereafter, winter pruning should gradually remove the main branches on the lower part of the glossy privet trunk year by year.

3. For glossy privet plants that have been neglected in pruning for many years, reasonable pruning should also be carried out. Keep the main branches and properly shorten the remaining branches, keeping the crown large at the bottom and small at the top.

Glossy privet is also called white wax tree, General tree, wintergreen, and other names. It can grow up to about 25 m tall. The bark is generally gray, and the leaves are generally ovate, looking very delicate and lovely. Therefore, in home cultivation, attention should be paid to pruning branches and leaves to present the most beautiful side of glossy privet.