How to Propagate Chinese Violet? Detailed Cutting Method Guide

Hearing the name "Chinese violet", one might think it is a plant native to foreign countries! Actually it is not; it is an ornamental flower variety native to our country. Its leaves stay evergreen all year round, and it blooms in spring and summer each year, with flowers generally mainly white. Nowadays many people like to grow it, but if you want it to grow luxuriantly, propagation methods are indispensable.

Propagation Methods of Chinese Violet

1. Seed propagation method: Collect ripe fruits between October and December (or buy them directly), remove the seeds, and sow them scattered on loose, fertile sandy loam, covering with 2 to 3 cm of soil. Cover with plastic wrap to keep warm, or store the seeds in sand until the seeds crack and show white before sowing. Seeds sown in late autumn and early winter will only sprout the following spring. After sprouting, remove the plastic wrap promptly and strengthen water and fertilizer management.

2. Division propagation method: Between March and April, when the plant just begins to sprout, take the clustered plant out of the flower pot, shake off part of the old soil, and cut apart at the weak points where the root system joins, using a sharp knife, so that each cluster has at least 2 to 3 stems and a portion of intact roots, and pot them separately. This is very convenient, but during division try to avoid too many wounds on the root system, so as not to affect later growth.

3. Layering propagation method: Usually layering is used for ground planting, but it can also be done if the flower pot is large enough. In April, take robust 2- to 3-year-old branches sprouting from the base, girdle or notch the middle-lower part, then directly press them into the soil; they will root after 40~50 days. In July~August, separate them from the mother plant and repot them.

Cutting Methods of Chinese Violet

1. Cutting time: Cutting propagation can be carried out from the end of April to October, but it is best to take cuttings during the plum rain period in May to June, when there is more rain, high air humidity, temperatures between 25°C and 28°C, and a large temperature difference between day and night, thus achieving better rooting results.

2. Selection of cuttings: The cuttings must be selected from 1- to 2-year-old, thick, fleshy and emerald-green leaves, pest-free semi-mature branches. The spike length is 12 to 15 cm, with 3 to 4 whole leaves, and the lower cut is best made 0.5 cm below a node, with the lower end of the cutting cut into a slant. Experiments have shown that using the top part for cuttings gives a higher survival rate than using the base.

3. Cutting density and method: The cutting density should be such that the leaves just touch. When inserting, first make holes in the substrate with bamboo chopsticks, then slowly insert until reaching the leaf part, about 2/3 deep; leaving too much exposed easily dries out. After inserting, press the pot soil firm with your fingers, then water.

How to Fertilize Chinese Violet

1. When fertilizing, apply thin fertilizer frequently; this can avoid harming the plant's health when too much fertilizer is applied, and applying thin fertilizer frequently can also let the plant grow healthily at different stages. From April to August, which is the flowering period, fertilization can be appropriately increased, about once every half a month.

2. When the summer temperature is above 35°C, the plant will stop growing, so fertilization should be suspended; its optimal growth temperature is between 18°C and 32°C. During the growth period, fertilization should also be appropriately increased, about once every 13 to 16 days.

3. In winter, when the temperature is low, fertilization should also be suspended; the minimum winter temperature must not be lower than 3°C. If kept in an environment below 0°C for a long time, it will affect its health; the minimum temperature for winter cold protection is around 5°C.

How to Water Chinese Violet

1. Summer: In summer, keep its soil continuously moist; water when it becomes slightly dry. At the same time, spray water on the plant and its surroundings in the morning and evening, first to lower the temperature, and second to increase humidity.

2. Winter: In winter, keep its soil slightly moist; also spray water on the plant surface and surroundings at noon. Indoor air is relatively dry in winter, so this can increase moisture, and the watering time in winter is also best chosen at noon.

There are many propagation methods for Chinese violet, with sowing, division, layering, and cutting being relatively common. Cutting propagation is the most used, but everyone can choose a suitable method according to their own needs. After propagation, it is also necessary to strengthen fertilizer and water management, so as to ensure its survival rate.