How to Do Air Layering Propagation of Lychee? Latest Technique Method Tutorial
Lychee is a tree species in the Sapindaceae family and is very widely distributed in southern China. Lychee has an extremely high sugar content and a delicious taste, and is welcomed by many people. The main planting areas are concentrated in Guangdong, Fujian and other provinces. When planting lychee, the propagation work is very important. The common propagation method for lychee is mainly air layering, and below the editor has brought you the air layering propagation technique for lychee. Let's take a look!
1. Propagation Time
Air layering propagation of lychee has no great requirements for timing, and it can generally be carried out at any time within a year. However, if you want to increase the rooting rate of the branches, then it is best to carry it out around March. And we also need to choose the propagation time according to the variety. For example, if it is an early-maturing variety, then it should be done about one month earlier, while for medium-maturing varieties it is best to carry it out around Qingming Festival. Because this time is the peak growth period of the lychee tree, the sap flow within the tree is fast, and the peeling work of the phloem is also relatively simple. Moreover, the wound after girdling heals quickly, and the rooting rate and survival rate are also relatively high.
2. Branch and Shoot Selection
The selection of branches and shoots for lychee air layering is very important. We should select shoots from robust, high-quality-variety, high-yield fruiting trees. Then, likewise on the mother plant, select about 3-year-old robust branches free of pests and diseases as the air layering branches. The diameter should be kept at about two centimeters, as such branches can effectively improve the rooting rate. And the cultivated lychee tree has strong growth ability and a very high fruiting rate. If the shoots are selected improperly, not only will the survival rate be insufficient, but the growth ability of the seedling after survival will also be very poor.
3. Girdling the Branches and Shoots
After selecting the shoots, we need to begin the girdling work. First, make 1-2 girdling cuts on the selected shoot, with the girdling depth preferably reaching the xylem of the shoot. The distance between the two cuts should not be too close, kept at about 3cm. Then peel off the bark in between, and be careful to clean off the cambium on the xylem completely. After girdling, let the wound dry for about 7 days to promote the death of the cambium cells. When a tumor-like growth is found at the girdling site, apply a layer of rooting agent to the wound, then wrap a layer of wet mud, and tie it tightly with a plastic bag to promote sprouting.
4. Substrate Preparation
The substrate preparation after the shoots have rooted is very important, as it determines their survival rate. The substrate is mainly made of garden soil and an appropriate amount of farmyard manure, then an appropriate amount of water is added so that the water content is kept at about 60%. When wrapping the shoots, center on the upper part of the girdling site and tie the wet mud tightly. Prevent the wet mud from loosening, which would affect the nutrient absorption of the shoots. After about two months, white roots appear above the cut. At this time, keep about 40cm, cut off the air-layered seedling, and plant it at the appropriate time.
The above is a brief introduction to the air layering propagation technique for lychee. There are many propagation methods for lychee, including sowing, grafting, etc. Air layering propagation is relatively simple to operate and also has a relatively high survival rate, so air layering propagation is mostly used. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and I hope it can help everyone!