Detailed Explanation of Grafting Methods and Key Technical Points for Viburnum macrocephalum

Because Viburnum macrocephalum likes light, tolerates slight shade and is fairly cold-hardy, it can also be grown in the open ground in the southern part of North China. Since Viburnum macrocephalum, also known as "Eight Immortals Gather," butterfly flower and ox-ear-holding-pearl, has a very unusual flower shape, many friends like it very much. The editor will now introduce the grafting methods for Viburnum macrocephalum, and interested friends can learn about them.

Viburnum macrocephalum

Seedlings of Viburnum macrocephalum generally take 7 to 8 years to bloom, but if branches with flower buds from an adult Viburnum macrocephalum are grafted, the plant can bloom in the first year after surviving. The grafting method is: in early March (before the buds break), take branches from a mother tree that can bloom (usually the outer branches in the middle and upper part of the canopy), cut off a section about 5 cm long as the scion, and it is ideal to keep the terminal bud; the high grafting method is generally used. After grafting, place it in a shaded spot. After the buds on the scion produce leaves, place it directly in the sunlight. There is a growth correlation between the main trunk and the branches of Viburnum macrocephalum. After the side branches are high-grafted, the top of the main trunk should be cut off to speed up the survival and growth of the scion, so that it enters the full flowering period as early as possible. Pest and disease control of Viburnum macrocephalum: Viburnum macrocephalum has strong adaptability; sandy soil, clay soil and general soil can all be used for cultivation, and seedlings grown in sandy soil have well-developed root systems. During the peak growing season, attention should be paid to applying thin fertilizer frequently. If the leaves are found to turn yellow, a 1/1000 ferrous sulfate solution can be sprayed on the leaves. The leaves of Viburnum macrocephalum have relatively more hairs, so they are generally not easily damaged by insect pests. However, the degree of cutinization of the lower epidermis is relatively low, and the secretions of some fungal spores during germination can dissolve this part of the cuticle, so in the plum rain season, it is usually necessary to spray some Bordeaux mixture for control. In addition, because the light reflectivity of the cuticle of Viburnum macrocephalum is medium, it should not be exposed directly to strong sunlight in summer.

How to Grow Viburnum macrocephalum: Cultivation Methods for Viburnum macrocephalum

Image: Viburnum macrocephalum

[Common Question]: How is Viburnum macrocephalum grown?

[Expert Answer]:
     Viburnum macrocephalum is a very beautiful flower, called "Eight Immortals Gather" flower, woody hydrangea, etc. It is a semi-evergreen shrub of the genus Viburnum in the honeysuckle family. Its flowers are as large as a jade basin, with eight large five-petaled flowers forming a ring around the small white pearl-like flowers in the center, surrounding a cluster of butterfly-like stamens. Under a gentle breeze it looks like butterflies playing with pearls, and also like the Eight Immortals dancing, with graceful immortal bearing and great charm. So what cultivation techniques does such a beautiful Viburnum macrocephalum have? Next, the editor of First Agricultural Economics will tell you how to grow Viburnum macrocephalum.

[Growth Habits]:
     Viburnum macrocephalum likes light, tolerates slight shade, prefers a warm and humid climate, is fairly cold-hardy, and is suitable for growing in fertile, moist, well-drained soil. It is fairly cold-hardy, can adapt to general soil, and grows best in moist and fertile places. It grows vigorously, and its sprouting ability and tillering ability are both strong. The seeds have the habit of germinating in alternate years. It is produced in southern Jiangsu, western Anhui, Zhejiang, northwestern Jiangxi, western Hubei and southern Hunan. It grows in hills, under forest on mountain slopes or in thickets. It is also often cultivated in gardens.

Image: Viburnum macrocephalum

[Propagation Methods]:

1. Sowing: Viburnum macrocephalum is commonly propagated by seeds. Seeds are collected in November, piled for after-ripening, washed clean, and stratified at low temperature until sowing the next spring. The covering soil should be slightly thick, and grass should be placed on top. In June of that year, some seeds germinate and emerge; at this time the grass can be removed for shading, and after staying in the bed for 2 years they can be divided and replanted in another bed. After 4 to 5 years they can be transplanted for garden landscaping.

2. Grafting: Viburnum macrocephalum is grafted in early March (before the buds break). Take branches from a mother tree that can bloom, cut off a section about 5 cm long as the scion, and it is ideal to keep the terminal bud; the high grafting method is generally used. After grafting, place it in a shaded spot. After the buds on the scion produce leaves, place it directly in the sunlight. It can bloom in the first year after surviving.

Image: Viburnum macrocephalum

[Cultivation Methods]:

1. Soil: Viburnum macrocephalum has strong adaptability; sandy soil, clay soil and general soil can all be used for cultivation, and seedlings grown in sandy soil have well-developed root systems.

2. Transplanting: Viburnum macrocephalum is easy to transplant and survive. Carry it out in early spring before the buds break, preferably in a semi-shaded environment, and pay attention to fertilizer and water management after it survives.

3. Fertilizing: Viburnum macrocephalum should be fertilized with thin fertilizer frequently. If the leaves turn yellow, a 1/1000 ferrous sulfate solution can be sprayed on the leaves, and fertilizer should be applied once after flowering.

4. Pruning: The main branches of Viburnum macrocephalum easily sprout water sprouts that disrupt the tree shape. After flowering, the branches can be pruned appropriately, and in summer the tips of the water sprouts should be cut off to tidy the plant shape.

5. Pests and diseases: The leaves of Viburnum macrocephalum have relatively more hairs, so they are generally not easily damaged by pests and diseases, but in the plum rain season it is usually necessary to spray some Bordeaux mixture for control.

[Editor's Summary]: The above is what the editor of First Agricultural Economics introduced to you about the cultivation techniques of Viburnum macrocephalum, for growers' reference. When planting Viburnum macrocephalum, you must plant it according to scientific methods and the growth habits of Viburnum macrocephalum, so that it can produce more beautiful flowers.

How to Grow Viburnum macrocephalum? Cultivation Methods and Precautions for Viburnum macrocephalum

Image: Viburnum macrocephalum

[Common Question] How is Viburnum macrocephalum grown? Cultivation Methods and Precautions for Viburnum macrocephalum

[Expert Answer]

1. Sowing

The fruit of Viburnum macrocephalum is a drupe among simple fruits, and the endocarp is extremely hard and wraps outside the seed. The seed collection period is generally after October, and the sign of maturity is that the outer fruit skin of the seed turns black. After the seeds are collected, they should be stored in sand, taken out the next Qingming, the fruit skin washed off, and the seed shell (endocarp) peeled off, or part of the seed shell worn away, or soaked in a 0.1% dilute acid solution for 24 hours to soften the seed shell before sowing. Untreated seeds generally are very difficult to germinate in the same year. After sowing, cover with about 1.5 cm of soil. If sown in pots, water and loosen the soil frequently so that the seedlings emerge as soon as possible.

2. Seedling Management

Seeds with the shell removed generally emerge after about 1 month. When the seedlings have just produced their first pair of leaves, they should be appropriately shaded, especially at noon, so that direct sunlight does not hit the seedlings, lest water transpires too quickly and the young leaves wilt. If the leaves are found to curl inward but recover immediately in the evening, it indicates that the transpiration of the leaves exceeds the absorption of the root system, which is a common phenomenon under hot or dry conditions.

3. Grafting

Seedlings of Viburnum macrocephalum generally take 7 to 8 years to bloom, but if branches with flower buds from an adult Viburnum macrocephalum are grafted, the plant can bloom in the first year after surviving. The grafting method is: in early March (before the buds break), take branches from a mother tree that can bloom (usually the outer branches in the middle and upper part of the canopy), cut off a section about 5 cm long as the scion, and it is ideal to keep the terminal bud; the high grafting method is generally used. After grafting, place it in a shaded spot. After the buds on the scion produce leaves, place it directly in the sunlight. There is a growth correlation between the main trunk and the branches of Viburnum macrocephalum. After the side branches are high-grafted, the top of the main trunk should be cut off to speed up the survival and growth of the scion, so that it enters the full flowering period as early as possible.

4. Pruning

Pruning Viburnum macrocephalum is one of the most important parts of growing Viburnum macrocephalum. Viburnum macrocephalum differentiates new flower buds after the flowers fade in midsummer each year, and forms flower buds in March of the following year. Therefore, in summer, when cutting off the faded flowers, all branches on the Viburnum macrocephalum plant should be cut back once, to prevent the flowers of Viburnum macrocephalum from moving upward year by year and leaving the lower part bare. Cutting back often stimulates a large number of dormant buds on the main branches of Viburnum macrocephalum to sprout and form many water sprouts, which not only consume nutrients but also disrupt the tree shape, so they should be rubbed off as soon as the dormant buds begin to sprout. As the tree age continues to increase, the vitality of perennial old branches declines year by year. At this time, a heavy pruning should be carried out. Apart from retaining sturdy main branches of about 50 cm, the entire canopy should be cut off, and the new water sprouts that sprout from dormant buds should be used to renew the old tree.

5. Pest and Disease Control

Viburnum macrocephalum has strong adaptability; sandy soil, clay soil and general soil can all be used for cultivation, and seedlings grown in sandy soil have well-developed root systems. During the peak growing season, attention should be paid to applying thin fertilizer frequently. If the leaves are found to turn yellow, a 1/1000 ferrous sulfate solution can be sprayed on the leaves. The leaves of Viburnum macrocephalum have relatively more hairs, so they are generally not easily damaged by insect pests. However, the degree of cutinization of the lower epidermis is relatively low, and the secretions of some fungal spores during germination can dissolve this part of the cuticle, so in the plum rain season, it is usually necessary to spray some Bordeaux mixture for control. In addition, because the light reflectivity of the cuticle of Viburnum macrocephalum is medium, it should not be exposed directly to strong sunlight in summer.

[Editor's Comment] Viburnum macrocephalum is a common feng shui plant. Many people plant a Viburnum macrocephalum in their courtyard to purify the air and improve the home environment. Of course, it is not a wild plant that can be left to fend for itself. Many people ask, how exactly should Viburnum macrocephalum be grown? The editor of First Agricultural Economics in this article introduces the cultivation methods and precautions for Viburnum macrocephalum, hoping it will be helpful to you.