The Best Time and Method for Propagating Osmanthus by Cuttings
The osmanthus tree not only has high ornamental value, but its flowers can also be used for brewing tea and making medicine, so many people now grow osmanthus trees. When growing osmanthus trees, propagation work is very important. Osmanthus propagation is generally based on cuttings, so when should osmanthus be propagated by cuttings, and how should the cuttings be done? Below, the editor brings you the time and method for propagating osmanthus by cuttings. Let's take a look!
1. Cutting Time
When propagating osmanthus by cuttings, the first thing we need to determine is the cutting time for osmanthus. The suitable cutting times for osmanthus are generally divided into two periods: 5-7 and 9-10. This is because during these two periods, the nutrients in the osmanthus branches are relatively abundant, and the greenhouse humidity is very favorable for the rooting and survival of the scions. Before cutting, first prepare the cutting bed, break up the soil in the seedbed, level the bed surface, and ensure the drainage channels are unobstructed. Then build an arch shed about 50cm high on the cutting bed, and at the same time build another shade shed above it with a light transmittance of about 30%.
2. Cutting Treatment
After determining the cutting time and completing the preparatory work for the cutting bed, we then need to select the cuttings. The cuttings for propagating osmanthus should be selected from osmanthus trees that grow vigorously and are free of pests and diseases. From the middle and upper parts of the osmanthus tree, select current-year tender branches that have not yet fully lignified as cuttings. The cuttings should be cut into small sections of about 9 cm. Half of the leaves on the upper part of each cutting should be cut off, then the top should be cut into a flat opening, and the cutting part should be cut into a slanted opening. Then tie them together, and put the part 3 cm from the cutting opening entirely into naphthalene acetic acid for about one hour. After soaking, they can be planted.
3. Cutting Method
After treating the cuttings, we can begin cutting. When cutting, we first need to grade them according to the thickness of the cuttings and plant them in separate beds. The plant and row spacing between cuttings should be maintained at about 5*10cm. To avoid injuring the cuttings during planting and affecting rooting, before cutting we should first use a wooden stick about the same thickness as the cuttings to make small holes in the cutting bed, and then carry out the cutting. The cutting depth should be maintained at about 2/3 of the cutting. After inserting, press the surrounding soil firmly, and then spray an appropriate amount of carbendazim and other liquid medicines.
4. Management After Cutting
After cutting, if no water droplets appear on the shed film and the soil is too dry, water promptly. For the shade shed, we should mainly cover it early and uncover it late, keeping the humidity inside the shed at about 85%. The temperature should be controlled within 20-25 degrees, and then carbendazim should be sprayed once a week. Do a good job of loosening the soil to improve soil permeability and prevent the cuttings from rotting roots due to anaerobic respiration caused by insufficient oxygen. Buds appearing at the base of the cuttings should be removed promptly to prevent excessive consumption of nutrients. Then about every ten days, in combination with watering, spray an appropriate amount of urea and so on to ensure normal growth of the root system and new shoots. By the spring of the following year, the shade shed can be removed, and when the seedlings grow to 40cm, they can be planted in the field.
The above is a brief introduction to the time and method for propagating osmanthus by cuttings. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and I hope it can help everyone!