What are the propagation methods for wintersweet? With an introduction to growing it from seed

Wintersweet is a traditional rare ornamental flowering tree native to China, with a long history of cultivation and a rich wintersweet culture. Because wintersweet flowers begin to bloom at the start of winter and bear fruit as winter ends, accompanying the winter, it is also called winter plum. So what are the propagation methods for wintersweet? With an introduction to growing wintersweet from seed!

I. Propagation methods for wintersweet

The propagation methods for wintersweet are generally divided into two types, namely grafting propagation and sowing propagation. Wintersweet seeds are harvested in July—August when the fruit turns yellow, and the seeds are taken out and stored dry.

Wintersweet propagation is generally mainly by grafting, though of course division, sowing, cuttings and layering can also be used. A wintersweet grown from seed is a goushu (a plum of the genus Chimonanthus), which can be used as rootstock for grafting wintersweet. Its flowers are different from those of wintersweet, with relatively slender petals. It can be planted around April, and it takes a very long time before wintersweet will bloom. For ornamental wintersweet, sowing propagation is generally not used, because seedlings grown from seed find it hard to retain the fine characteristics of the mother plant; asexual propagation such as division and cuttings is used more often. Therefore, grafting propagation is generally used, as it is not only fast but also preserves the fine traits of wintersweet.

II. Sowing wintersweet seeds

1. Spring sowing

First soak in warm water for 24 hours, place in a germination box to sprout, then sow in rows in sandy loam and water thoroughly; seedlings will emerge in 15~20 days. In South China and Central China, normal germination can occur in early April. Two weeks after germination, a thin fertilizer can be applied to promote growth. After germination, plant into the soil; it can bloom after 2-3 years. Sow by early spring the following year in February —March, covering with soil about 4~5cm deep. If the seeds are soaked in warm water before sowing, germination can be promoted. After the seedlings emerge in April, take care to prevent damage from cutworms and strengthen management; shading is not necessary. The seedlings grow slowly, reaching only 10—15cm in height in the first year, producing suckers only after 2—3 years, and only after 4—5 years can they be used as rootstock for grafting wintersweet; they generally begin to bloom after 5—6 years. The sowing method can produce wintersweet rootstock in large quantities, but requires a relatively long growing time.

2. Autumn sowing

Harvest after the fruit ripens in July~August, take the seeds out of the fruit receptacle and sow at once; seedlings will emerge in just over 10 days after sowing, and the seedlings can grow up to 20cm tall in the first year. The cultivation method after emergence is roughly the same as for spring sowing, and is not described in detail here.

III. Watering when growing from seed

Water sparingly. Wintersweet fears waterlogging; when soil moisture is too high, wintersweet grows poorly, which affects flower bud differentiation and opening. For potted plants, keep the soil at half moisture. In open ground, especially in the rainy season, prevent water accumulation. In spring, water once every ten days to half a month; if there is a spring drought and strong wind, water once every 2-3 days, keeping the soil moist. In summer, appropriately increase the amount of watering to keep the soil absolutely moist; in autumn and winter, it is enough for the soil to be slightly moist.

IV. Pest and disease control

1. Pests

When generally planted in dark, damp places, during the rainy summer, because of high temperature and stuffiness, wintersweet is prone to scale insects, which can be controlled manually. At the turn of spring and summer, tender buds are prone to aphids, which can be eliminated by spraying with 50% pirimicarb 3000-fold solution.

2. Diseases

Black spot occurs in hot seasons and can be treated by spraying with 65% zineb 500-fold solution or 0.3 Beaume lime-sulfur mixture; anthracnose also occurs in hot seasons and can be treated by spraying with thiophanate 800-fold solution.

The above is Tuliu.com's introduction to wintersweet propagation methods and seed growing methods. Besides being planted, wintersweet can also be made into bonsai, with extremely high artistic and ornamental value.