Propagation Methods and Growing Techniques for the Evergreen Shrub Pittosporum

Pittosporum tobira is also known as Qilixiang, Baozhuxiang, Shanruixiang, and so on. It can usually be planted as a hedge, or grown as a specimen or in groups at the edge of lawns, at forest margins, or beside gates, or planted in rows along roadsides. Below is an introduction to the propagation methods and growing techniques for the “evergreen shrub” Pittosporum tobira!

1. Propagation Methods for Pittosporum tobira

1. Sowing method

Many people may not know that Pittosporum tobira has its own seeds. The seeds of Pittosporum tobira are hidden inside its fruit pulp. The fruit is green when immature, and between October and November each year, the fruit gradually ripens and turns yellow. Dry the ripe fruit until the skin splits, then knock out the seeds, and in this way we obtain the seeds of Pittosporum tobira. After obtaining the seeds, they need simple treatment and storage, and by March of the following year they can be sown. Usually the germination rate of Pittosporum tobira seeds is about 50%, which is neither high nor low, but the seedlings of Pittosporum tobira grow very slowly, and it usually takes two years before they can be formally moved into pots for planting, or after another year or two they can be moved directly into the nursery. When transplanting, the roots should be kept with a soil ball.

2. Cutting method

Compared with sowing, cuttings are much more convenient. The cutting time should be chosen in spring. When Pittosporum tobira grows new leaves, take out the tender shoots for cuttings. However, the tender shoots also have requirements: they should be 1-2 years old and about 15cm long. Insert the cut tender branches into a sand bed. After cutting, the main point is that the light intensity must not be too strong; exposure to diffused light is enough. In addition, humidity must be maintained well, so that Pittosporum tobira can take root in about 20 days. With normal watering and fertilizing at ordinary times, and timely pruning if the branches grow too long, after 2-3 years Pittosporum tobira can be transplanted into the nursery.

2. Growing Methods for Pittosporum tobira

1. Potting

When potting Pittosporum tobira, it needs to be planted with its original soil, in a deep pot. Add a ring of hard plastic about 5-8cm high along the upper inner rim of the pot, and place more broken tiles at the bottom of the pot. When potting, the roots can be raised accordingly, and the potting soil should be slightly lower than the plastic ring. In this way, deep-pot shallow planting does not affect survival;

2. Light

Pittosporum tobira has a strong ability to adapt to light. In summer it can be placed outdoors, and if conditions permit, it can be placed in a shaded spot among flowers. Strong light does no harm to the plant;

3. Temperature

Pittosporum tobira requires air humidity of about 50%, and the suitable growing temperature is 15-30°C. In winter, place it indoors in a cool place where it does not freeze, with a minimum temperature of 5°C;

4. Watering

Pittosporum tobira consumes a large amount of water in summer, so it should be watered frequently. In winter, if the temperature is relatively low, the amount of watering should be reduced accordingly;

5. Fertilizing

During the growing season, Pittosporum tobira should be fertilized once every two weeks, and no fertilizer is needed in other periods;

6. Repotting

For potted young Pittosporum tobira plants, repot once a year, and for mature plants, repot once every 2-3 years. For the potting soil, mix 1/3 leaf mold with 2/3 clay or loam. When repotting, dead roots need to be pruned away, and new culture soil containing more organic matter should be added to the potting soil;

7. Pruning

Pittosporum tobira has a strong branching ability and tolerates pruning. At the beginning of spring, it needs pruning and shaping to maintain a graceful tree form. If you want to inhibit its growth and make its branches and leaves more luxuriant, you should cut the top when it grows to the corresponding height. Some also prune it into various shapes.

The above is Tuliu.com's introduction to the propagation methods and growing techniques of Pittosporum tobira. It has strong adaptability to climate, can withstand cold, and is also quite tolerant of summer heat. South of the Yellow River basin, it can overwinter safely in the open field. It has strong adaptability to soil and can grow normally in clay, sandy soil, and mildly saline-alkaline soil.