Cultivation Techniques and Propagation Methods for the Kousa Dogwood (Mountain Lychee)

The Kousa dogwood is an extremely beautiful garden ornamental prized for its flowers, foliage and fruit, making it an excellent landscaping choice; its form is handsome and neat, and its bracts are attractive and eye-catching, giving it considerable ornamental value. Below, we introduce the “Mountain Lychee” Kousa dogwood cultivation techniques and propagation methods!

1. Growth Habits of the Kousa Dogwood

The Kousa dogwood prefers a warm climate and a shady, humid environment, and thrives in fertile, well-drained soil. It is highly adaptable and can tolerate a certain degree of cold, drought and poor soil. It likes light but also tolerates partial shade, prefers a warm climate and a shady, humid environment, and thrives in fertile, well-drained sandy soil. It withstands low temperatures of -15°C and can be planted outdoors in the Jiangnan region, though leaf tips tend to dry out in summer.

2. Propagation Methods for the Kousa Dogwood

1. Division

Kousa dogwood propagation by division is carried out in late spring when buds sprout or after leaf fall in winter; the small suckers beneath the plant are separated and transplanted for establishment;

2. Cuttings

Kousa dogwood propagation by cuttings is carried out during the growing season. In March to April, select 1- or 2-year-old branches, cut them to 5-6 cm long, insert them in pure sand or sandy soil, cover with a shade net, maintain humidity, and roots will form in about 50 days;

3. Sowing

Kousa dogwood seeds should be soaked in warm water 20 days before sowing to promote germination, and sown early in spring; they germinate about 3 months after sowing. Field management must be strengthened during the seedling stage, with timely watering, loosening of the soil, weeding and fertilizing to promote root growth.

3. Cultivation Techniques for the Kousa Dogwood

1. Site Preparation

For planting the Kousa dogwood in parks, courtyards and other urban green spaces, choose a wind-sheltered, sunny, warm and humid spot for block planting. Prepare the site in autumn or the following spring, and plant along the “four sides”, preparing and planting as you go. For mountain planting, choose the middle and lower slopes of a semi-sunny slope, with loose, thick sandy loam or loam being best;

2. Planting

The Kousa dogwood can be planted in both spring and autumn. In spring, plant before the buds break; in autumn, plant after leaf fall. When planting seedlings, it is best to keep the root ball intact; mound the soil 1-2 cm above the root collar, let the roots spread out naturally, hold the plant upright and firm the soil. For block planting, the row spacing should be 3×4cm;

3. Fertilizer and Water

For 2-3 years after planting, the Kousa dogwood should have its soil loosened and weeds removed 2-3 times each year. Each year before flowering, budding and fruiting, loosen the soil, apply topdressing and water according to tree size. Fertilize regularly 3-4 times a year and water 5-6 times a year; this promotes good growth, a long flowering period, and large, beautiful flowers;

4. Pruning

Kousa dogwood pruning is generally carried out after leaf fall in winter or before bud break in spring each year. The principle is even branch distribution and robust growth. Pruning mainly consists of heading back the branches, and secondly removing dead branches, diseased and pest-infested branches, crossing branches, weak branches and poorly growing branches. In addition, during growth, gradually remove the basal branches and head back the central leader to improve upward growth. Because the Kousa dogwood has poor sprouting ability, heavy pruning should be avoided; keeping the tree shape round and neat, forming an umbrella shape, is sufficient.

The above is the introduction by Tuliu.com to the cultivation techniques and propagation methods for the Kousa dogwood. Angular leaf spot mainly harms the leaves of the Kousa dogwood; the moths that harm the Kousa dogwood mainly include the slug moth and the great bagworm moth, which chew the leaves and tender branches of the Kousa dogwood; aphids mainly harm the tender leaves, branch tips, flowers and young buds of the Kousa dogwood.