How to grow and propagate cedar from seed? A detailed guide to the common methods

Cedar has the characteristics of fast growth and strong adaptability, and is one of the main ornamental tree species for streets, parks, factories and mines, and courtyards. Cedar can be propagated by sowing seeds or by cuttings. Below, the editor of Tuliu.com brings you the propagation methods for cedar.

1. Growing seedlings from seeds

With seed propagation, the seedlings have strong vitality, many roots, robust growth and a good tree shape, but you must master the propagation techniques.

1. Raised beds

Cedar is a sun-loving tree species that likes dry conditions and fears moisture. The seedling bed is generally 30-40 cm high and 100 cm wide. The soil should have good drainage, drying out after rain, and must never become waterlogged.

2. Early sowing

Each 500 grams of cedar seeds contains more than 3000 seeds. The seed coat is thin and loses water quickly, so long storage will reduce the germination rate. Generally, sowing in early to mid-March is best. If sowing cannot be done in time, the seeds must be stored in moist sand.

3. Shallow sowing

Cedar is an epigeal seed; when emerging, the hypocotyl pushes the seed coat and cotyledons out of the ground together. If sown too deep, the seeds will have difficulty emerging and will suffocate and rot. When sowing, pay attention to the position of the seed in the soil; the sprout tip should face downward, which helps the radicle enter the soil and the hypocotyl elongate, smoothly pushing the seed coat and cotyledons out of the ground. If the seeds are placed horizontally or upside down, emergence will be difficult and the emergence rate will be reduced. The sowing row spacing is 10-15 cm, the seed spacing is 5-6 cm, and after sowing cover with 0.5-1.0 cm of soil, then cover with a thin layer of grass, and immediately water the seedling bed.

4. Frequent management

When 70%-80% of the seedlings have emerged, remove the grass promptly. First, pay attention to the weather: on sunny days remove the grass after 6 p.m., while on cloudy days it can be removed in the morning. Second, be careful to prevent damaging or pulling up the seedlings. Before removing the grass, sift fine soil, and as you remove it, use the fine soil to cover the roots and protect the seedlings. During the growing period, hoe shallowly and frequently, loosen the soil and remove weeds. In the early stage, spray Bordeaux mixture once every half month to prevent root (stem) rot. In summer, water with dilute manure water to resist drought and protect the seedlings; in long droughts, build a shed for shade. Fertilize frequently and lightly; generally do not apply topdressing after entering September, to prevent vigorous autumn shoot growth and frost damage in winter. With careful and skillful management, the seedlings can reach 20-30 cm tall in the same year, with 3-4 branches.

2. Propagation and seedling growing by branch cuttings

Because cedar has different flowering periods and poor pollination, seeds are very scarce. Due to differences in climatic conditions, cedar trees planted in the north do not flower or set seed, so branch cuttings can be used for propagation to solve the problem of insufficient seedlings.

1. Site selection and land preparation

Choose slightly acidic sandy loam with good drainage and aeration, short sunlight exposure, a cool climate and high air humidity for the nursery site (close to shaded areas along rivers). Before cutting, prepare the land carefully and apply sufficient base fertilizer, then make high ridges 90 cm wide, requiring a level ridge surface and fine, crumbly soil.

2. Collect cuttings at the right time

Collect fully developed, thick branches from the middle of the sun-facing crown of 3-5 year old trees. Each cutting should be 10-13 cm long. Collect the cuttings before 9 a.m. and insert them as soon as they are collected. Mid-March is the best time for cutting. Before cutting, soak the cuttings in 500 ppm naphthaleneacetic acid for 3 seconds.

Alright, the above are the cedar propagation methods brought to you by the editor of Tuliu.com. I hope you like them. See you next time.