The Latest Technical Method Tutorial for Eucalyptus Cutting Propagation
The application of eucalyptus cutting propagation technology in eucalyptus seedling cultivation is a successful model, because eucalyptus is a tree species that is difficult to root. By adopting juvenile treatment, stimulation with growth hormones, and creating an environment conducive to rooting, a relatively high rooting rate is achieved. This also serves as a reference for the mass propagation of other valuable tree species. Now let us take a look at eucalyptus cutting propagation technology together!
Mother Tree Management of Eucalyptus
1. Reasonable sparse planting: For planting mother trees, choose flat land with good ventilation, sufficient sunlight, and moderate water and fertilizer conditions, and no water accumulation. Before planting, first make raised beds, with a bed width of 1-1.2 m and a path of 40 cm. Plant 5-6 plants per bed, with both plant spacing and row spacing around 25 cm, and do not make them smaller than 20 cm, otherwise the plants will become slender due to crowding each other, and insufficient light will cause the quality of the branches to decline.
2. Dwarfing treatment: According to the juvenile principle of low-position sprouting in plants, pruning of mother plants should be done as much as possible to achieve dwarfing. Tissue-cultured seedlings can be planted when they grow to 10 cm, and can be pruned when they grow to 15 cm. When pruning, it is advisable to keep 2-3 pairs of old leaves, and the young tender parts can be used for cuttings. After that, each cutting should keep one pair of old leaves for the next sprouting of new buds. Plants with apical dominance should be cut off in time to promote the sprouting of side branches.
3. Fertilizer and water management: Eucalyptus mother trees do not need much fertilizer. Generally, slow-release farmyard manure plus a little compound fertilizer is sufficient. Absolutely avoid excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer and human feces and urine, otherwise the sprouts will grow excessively and be too tender, leading to cutting failure. Water is also not needed too much. Generally, maintaining a semi-dry and semi-wet state is sufficient, and never allow water accumulation.
4. Disease and pest control: Because eucalyptus mother trees are planted in the ground and sparsely planted, there are generally very few diseases. Usually the main focus is prevention. In rainy seasons, broad-spectrum fungicides such as thiophanate-methyl and carbendazim can be used to prevent diseases. Pests include eucalyptus leaf-roller moths, aphids, termites, and large crickets. Eucalyptus leaf-roller moths and aphids can be sprayed with phoxim, trichlorfon, and similar products, while termites and crickets can be killed with phorate.
Cutting Technology of Eucalyptus
1. Cutting collection: When the sprouts of eucalyptus mother trees grow to 10-15 cm and have two pairs of old leaves, cuttings can be collected. The cuttings should be semi-lignified, have apical buds, and be free of diseases and pests. For leaf trimming, generally cut off 1/2 of the long leaves.
2. Bag soil treatment: The substrate used for cuttings does not need fertility. Generally, pure yellow subsoil is sufficient. It is required to be loose in texture and free of impurities such as grass roots and debris. After crushing, bag it for later use. The bag specification generally adopts 8*13 honeycomb seedling bags or 8*13 non-woven seedling bags. Before cutting, first soak the bag soil thoroughly, then disinfect it with 0.3% potassium permanganate solution and set it aside for use.
3. Cutting method: Before cutting, first disinfect the cuttings with 0.2% thiophanate-methyl aqueous solution for a few minutes, then dip the base in rooting powder, insert vertically into the center of the bag, with an insertion depth of 2-3 cm, water thoroughly, and cover with a shading net (not needed if there is a greenhouse). The main component of rooting powder is indolebutyric acid, with a concentration of 800×10-6 to 1000×10-6, using talcum powder as a filler.
Post-Cutting Management of Eucalyptus
1. Timely watering: The main role of watering is to preserve moisture and keep the cuttings fresh and alive. The number of waterings depends on the weather conditions. Generally, on sunny days, 2-3 times per day, and on cloudy days, once per day. At the initial cutting stage, water more, and then gradually reduce it later.
2. Shading treatment: The purpose of shading is to lower temperature, prevent drought, and maintain humidity. At the same time, it can promote the formation of plant growth hormones and the progress of photosynthesis. In spring, there are many cloudy and rainy days and the temperature is low, so light can be appropriately increased (light transmittance 60-70%). In summer and autumn, there are many hot and sunny days, so light can be appropriately reduced (light transmittance 30-40%). The environmental conditions for cutting rooting also need to be adjusted in a timely manner according to the above principles, so as to effectively improve the rooting survival rate of cuttings.
3. Hardening-off management: After a period following eucalyptus cutting (generally 15 days in summer and about 30 days in winter), roots grow and the cuttings survive. At this time, full-light hardening-off can be carried out. At the same time, remove diseased and dead plants and grade the seedlings. Due to environmental changes, watering should be increased at this time. When the heart leaves turn red, the mature leaves are dark green, the seedling stems are thick and lignified, and the root system is well developed, they can leave the nursery.
4. Disease and pest control: After eucalyptus cutting, the high-temperature and high-humidity environment often leads to infection by rot pathogens, which is the main cause of cutting rot. The most common eucalyptus cutting diseases are gray mold and stem rot. Available agents include thiophanate-methyl, carbendazim, chlorothalonil, Bordeaux mixture, and copper hydroxide. It is best to rotate the agents to avoid developing resistance.