How to Propagate Banana Shrub (Michelia figo)? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Propagation Methods
Banana shrub (Michelia figo) is an evergreen shrub of the magnolia family, widely distributed in the southern part of South China. It has very high ornamental value, is favored by many people as a potted plant, and also has certain beauty, health care and medicinal value. So when we grow banana shrub, how should we propagate it? Today, the editor brings you the propagation methods for banana shrub. Let's take a look together!
1. Cutting propagation
A commonly used propagation method for banana shrub is cutting propagation, and banana shrub is generally suitable for cutting in spring and summer. If cutting in spring, it should be done in late March. First, select shoots grown within two years, keep the length at about 12 cm, and remove the lower leaves of the shoots. Then apply rooting agent appropriately and insert them directly into the seedbed. After cutting, pay attention to shading and keep the soil moist. When cutting in summer, the branches should mainly be semi-lignified branches of the current year, about 8 cm long, and the cutting method is similar to spring cutting. For the cutting substrate, attention should be paid to disinfection.
2. Layering propagation
Layering propagation can be carried out throughout the entire growth period of banana shrub, but it is best done after Qingming Festival. First, we need to select well-developed and robust branches grown within two years, about 20 cm long. Then choose the soil-wrapping position as the rooting site and girdle it by about 0.5 cm. Girdle to the xylem, then wrap the girdled part with moist moss and other materials. Then cover it tightly with plastic film, tie the upper and lower ends tightly to avoid air and water leakage. After about two months, it will take root. Wait until the new roots develop well, then separate it from the mother plant and it becomes a new plant. After planting, water every day, and fertilize when its new shoots grow to about 7 cm.
3. Grafting propagation
For grafting propagation, it should be carried out in spring and autumn, in March-April for spring and September-October for autumn. The rootstock should mainly be magnolia, and the grafting method generally uses the cut grafting method. First select robust one-year-old branches from the middle and upper part of the mother plant, generally about two nodes long, and remove the leaves. Then perform cut grafting according to the cut grafting method. After cut grafting, cover appropriately with rice straw, exposing only the top tip of the scion, to avoid excessive moisture. After about four weeks, the scion begins to heal and sprout. At this time, remove the rice straw, then wipe off the sprouts on the rootstock.
The above is a brief introduction to the propagation methods of banana shrub. Among them, grafting propagation is a propagation method rarely used in the industry, and most are mainly cutting and layering propagation. Everyone should also choose a good propagation method according to the actual situation. That's all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only. Thank you for your reading and support.