A Detailed Guide to the Latest Propagation Methods for Ixora
Ixora (Ixora chinensis) is a plant in the Rubiaceae family, also known as the water hydrangea. The Ixora plant is relatively low-growing, comes in rich flower colors, has considerable ornamental value, and is welcomed by many people. It can be planted in the open ground, and can be used not only to decorate various courtyards, scenic areas and so on, but is also widely used for potted cultivation. So when growing Ixora, how should you propagate it? Below, the editor brings you the propagation methods for Ixora, let's take a look!
1. Seed propagation
When propagating by seed, seed collection should be done in winter, and then spring sowing should be carried out the following year. After sowing, the temperature should be controlled at around 23 degrees, mainly sowing in indoor seedling trays, and germination takes about 3 weeks. Transplant when the seedlings have grown about 6 leaves. If the rainy season comes, drainage work should be done well; when planting, it must never be too wet, otherwise it will have a major impact on the flowering of Ixora. In severe cases, the plant may show bud drop and root rot, so pay attention to maintaining a good air environment to promote normal growth of the Ixora.
2. Cutting propagation
Cutting propagation should be carried out in warm weather, so from the beginning of March each year all the way to October, cutting propagation can be done. First, we need to choose a robust branch about one year old. It must not be too tender, otherwise its survival rate is extremely low, and it must not be too old, because if it is too old it is harder to root. Then cut it into cuttings of about 12-14 cm, remove the leaves at the base, and insert them into the substrate. After cutting, keep them moist; they will root after about two months, and about 10 days after rooting, transplanting can be carried out, maintaining a semi-shaded environment. Soaking the base of the cuttings in rooting agent for about 5 minutes before cutting can increase the rooting rate, shorten the rooting time, and the roots will also be more developed.
3. Layering propagation
Besides sowing and cutting, Ixora can also be propagated by layering. The time for layering propagation is at the beginning of spring each year, and it is best when the plant has many branches and they are relatively densely distributed. First choose a robust branch, then at a position about 20 cm from the top, perform ring-barking on it. Then wrap it with plastic film plus peat. It also roots in about two months; after rooting, separate the branch from the mother plant and pot it up, and it becomes a new plant. After it survives and sprouts, apply a light fertilizer about once every half a month; when the weather is too dry, spray water appropriately; when the seedling grows to about 15 cm, pinch it appropriately to promote the growth of side branches.
The above is a brief introduction to the propagation methods of Ixora. There are many propagation methods for Ixora; when propagating, everyone should choose a good propagation method according to their own habits and the local weather, so as to ensure the vigorous growth of Ixora. That is all for today's introduction; this article is for reference only, and thank you all for reading and supporting.