How to Plant Witch Hazel and Points to Note
Witch hazel flowers are unusual and fragrant, with slender petals arranged one strand after another, which is quite fascinating. That is why many people love its peculiar petals. It has extremely high ornamental value, and whether used for garden decoration or placed at home, it is a good choice. So how exactly is it planted? Let's find out below.
How to Plant Witch Hazel
First, sieve the seeds out of the river sand and broadcast them in the seedbed, cover with fine sandy soil, and water thoroughly with a watering can. The seedbed should also be covered with straw, and care should be taken to keep the soil moist. After the seedlings emerge, promptly remove the straw covering. When the seedlings grow 4-6 true leaves, promptly remove weeds and strengthen fertilizer and water management. In summer, build a shade frame to block the scorching sun.
Witch Hazel Planting Methods
1. Soil selection: Witch hazel is not strict about soil and can grow in acidic and neutral soils. Fertile, loose, well-drained sandy soil is the best choice.
2. Light and temperature: Witch hazel is both shade-tolerant and cold-tolerant. When growing it, good light is required. In the early stage of growth, appropriate shading can be provided, and the temperature should be kept between 15°C and 35°C. In winter it can withstand cold, and its cold tolerance is relatively strong.
3. Watering and fertilizing: Witch hazel likes moist soil and requires fertility. Water appropriately during the growing period to keep the soil moist. Fertilize normally; fertilize in early spring to promote growth, and apply a phosphorus fertilizer once when it blooms.
4. Points to note: During cultivation, it may be harmed by diseases such as leaf spot and anthracnose, while pests mainly include nettle caterpillars and leaf-roller moths, so we must pay close attention.
Witch Hazel Propagation Methods
1. Sowing and raising seedlings
After the fruit ripens in autumn, collect the fruiting branches and put them in the sun to dry for 2-3 days. The fruit will crack open automatically. Take out the seeds and sow them. About half a month to twenty days after sowing, the seeds basically germinate. Choose a time when the light is not very strong and remove the covering straw.
In addition, promptly carry out loosening the soil, weeding, topdressing, and other work afterward. During this period, pay attention to water and fertilizer management so as to cultivate healthy saplings. After the saplings lose their leaves and before they sprout the following spring, begin moving the saplings, carry out bare-root planting or transplanting, and complete the final planting.
2. Other propagation
Witch hazel is mostly propagated by sowing seeds to raise seedlings. Grafting, cuttings, and other methods can also be used, but their survival rate is not as good as sowing, so they are rarely used.
How to Prune Witch Hazel
1. First, when pruning witch hazel, cut off some unnecessary branches first, such as tillering branches and crowded branches, to make it look cleaner and less messy.
2. Second, after witch hazel blooms, pay attention to removing the fruit and flowering branches. However, even if the fruit is not removed, it will not have much effect on the growth of the witch hazel plant.
3. The most important point is to adjust the tree shape of the witch hazel. We should first observe the growth of the witch hazel and prune on the premise of maintaining overall balance, cutting off outer branches and branches that affect the ornamental appearance, and reducing the crown. If you want to maintain the original height or original tree shape, you can cut off the tall, extending main trunk of the witch hazel.
Witch hazel is relatively simple to plant. The commonly used propagation method is seed propagation, but if you want it to grow better, you still need to pay attention to a few little tricks. Pruning is an important factor affecting its growth, and pruning after flowering is even more effective. Since so much has been said, why not get moving right away?