A Detailed Guide to Three Propagation Methods for Japanese Euonymus

Japanese euonymus is a variety of Chinese euonymus. This euonymus is native to Japan and grows relatively fast. In northern China, Japanese euonymus is an excellent tree species for adding greenery and color in winter. The editor will introduce three propagation methods for Japanese euonymus. Friends who are interested in Japanese euonymus can learn about them together.

Japanese euonymus

I. Cutting propagation

The materials selected for cuttings can be hardwood branches, softwood branches, single buds, and leaves. The sand bed should be based on the principle of retaining water and allowing air flow without waterlogging. The medium should be disinfected with potassium permanganate or carbendazim, and the cuttings need to be soaked in rooting water. After inserting, the cutting bed should be compacted, and do not water excessively.

II. Seed sowing method

After the seeds are harvested, the red aril should be removed promptly and the seeds dried in the shade. Before sowing, the seeds need to be stratified in sand; the humidity must not be too high, and the temperature must not exceed 15°C. Sow as early as possible after the soil thaws. Sowing should be early rather than late. If sowing is late, the air temperature and soil temperature rise, the seeds take root and sprout quickly, and the seedling roots become long, making them easy to break during sowing and causing damage to the seeds.

III. Grafting method

To cultivate large-sized, large-quantity nursery stock in a short period, Euonymus bungeanus can be used as rootstock for grafting. Euonymus bungeanus has a well-developed root system, a high transplant survival rate, and fast growth. In 3 to 4 years it can grow into nursery stock with a diameter at breast height of 5 cm to 6 cm, and Japanese euonymus grafted onto it forms its crown early and has strong cold resistance.

Care and Management of Japanese Euonymus

Japanese euonymus is an evergreen broadleaf tree species in the genus Euonymus of the family Celastraceae. It is native to Japan, and in the north it can often be seen. In a previous article, the editor introduced the propagation methods of Japanese euonymus to flower lovers. Here, the editor will introduce the care and management of Japanese euonymus. If you are also interested in this relatively fast-growing broadleaf tree species, you can learn about it together.

Japanese euonymus

The limiting factors for the growth of Japanese euonymus in the north are freezing damage in severe winter and shoot dieback in spring, but the more robust the plant, the stronger its resistance in these respects, so care should focus closely on preventing freezing damage and shoot dieback.

After the soil thaws in spring and before new buds break, arrange irrigation according to the actual soil moisture conditions to ensure the plant obtains sufficient water and nutrients before the rapid growth period arrives. The freezing water before winter must be watered thoroughly. In addition to root fertilization, some foliar fertilizer can also be used, but fertilization cannot be applied in the late growth stage, and the fertilization time cannot be later than mid-July.

Generally speaking, 4-year-old Japanese euonymus can completely overwinter naturally, and outdoor growth requires no protective measures, but smaller seedlings before that need necessary protective measures. Usually, 1-year-old seedlings need to overwinter in plastic arched sheds, and straw mats also need to be covered. Two- to three-year-old seedlings should still have arched sheds built in winter, and straw mats may be omitted.

Propagation Methods for Japanese Euonymus

Japanese euonymushas many cultivation methods. The commonly used methods are briefly introduced below:

1. Cutting method:

The cutting method is further divided into hardwood and softwood cutting methods. Hardwood cuttings are carried out between October each year and the end of March of the following year. For units with sufficient propagation material, the cuttings can be cut slightly longer; for units lacking propagation material, the cuttings can be slightly shorter. The cuttings are 8 to 15 cm long, and the insertion depth is generally 3 to 5 cm. Roots can grow after 1 month. As long as cuttings are made according to the methods introduced below, well-growing seedlings can be obtained quickly:

1) Lay out a sand bed with good water permeability, and disinfect the sand bed with potassium permanganate or carbendazim two days in advance. 2) Prepare alcohol and plant rooting powder, and mix the solution according to the instructions.

3) When cutting cuttings, do not choose branch tips that are too tender; those with a high degree of lignification are easier to root and sprout. 4) When pruning branches, keep the main trunk and cut side branches, and leave at least one bud's base to facilitate the next cut. 5) Remove the lower leaves of the cuttings and keep 2 to 3 leaves at the upper part. After the cuttings are trimmed, soak them in rooting water.

6) Use a small shovel to make a furrow in the sand bed, place the cuttings at 5 to 10 cm intervals, and after placing them, cover with soil and press firmly. The row spacing is 10 to 20 cm.

7) The cutting process needs to maintain appropriate temperature and humidity. Watering should be based on temperature and humidity, and the leaves must always be kept moist. Do not water excessively, as this prolongs rooting time. After the seedlings take root, watering can be appropriately reduced. 8) After cutting, roots generally appear in about 30 days, and they can also be potted at the appropriate time. The potting nutrient soil can be prepared with sand, soil, and peat soil each accounting for one third, to facilitate air permeability. Do not fill the pots too full.

2. Single-bud cutting method:

Using the single-bud cutting method can rapidly propagate Japanese euonymus nursery stock. Cutting is carried out between May and October. The bud piece is preferably 1 to 2 cm long, one bud with one leaf, and the leaf must be retained well. The knife used to cut the bud must be very sharp, and after the bud piece is cut, it should be inserted promptly. Each square meter of cutting bed can hold 500 to 1,000 seedlings. After cutting, they root in 1 month, the buds begin to sprout in 40 to 45 days, and after 2 months the seedlings can reach 10 to 15 cm in height.

3. Leaf cutting method：

Choose mature leaves as cuttings. The leaf stalks used for cuttings must be complete. When taking the leaves, do not use scissors; it is best to twist the leaf stalk off from the base of the bud by hand, and insert them as they are taken, or place the leaves in a basin of clean water. Storing the leaves too long will cause the cutting survival rate to decline. The insertion depth is 2 to 3 cm. Twenty days after cutting, callus tissue can form at the base of the leaf stalk; after 30 days, new roots grow from the callus tissue; after 50 to 60 days, young buds form on the root primordia; after 70 to 80 days, the young buds break through the soil and grow into new plants. One square meter of cutting bed can hold 1,000 to 1,500 leaves, and the survival rate can reach more than 95%.

4. Seed sowing method：

Japanese euonymus fruits early, produces a large quantity of seeds, and has a high seed germination rate. When the fruit skin splits, harvest promptly, otherwise the mature seeds are easily eaten by birds. After the seeds are harvested, remove the red aril promptly. When removing the seed coat, use gentle force; if the force is too heavy, the seeds are easily crushed. After the seeds are dried in the shade, store them with moist sand. The sand humidity must not be too high; if the humidity is high, the seeds are prone to mold and rot. The storage room temperature must not exceed 15 degrees; when the room temperature exceeds 15 degrees, the seeds are prone to germinating early. After the soil thaws, sow as early as possible. Sowing should be early rather than late. If sowing is late, the air temperature and soil temperature rise, the seeds take root and sprout quickly, and the seedling roots become long, making them easy to break during sowing and causing damage to the seeds. Nursery stock propagated from seeds shows obvious variation, especially in leaf shape. Among seedling plants, 50% to 60% of seedlings have leaves the same as the mother plant, 20% to 40% of seedlings have leaves that become pointed, and 1% to 10% of seedlings have leaves that become broad and large. Regardless of how the leaf shape changes, the tree-like trait and fast-growing habit of seedling plants are almost the same as those of the mother plant. However, it should be noted that when propagating seedling plants, do not easily throw away those seedlings with pointed leaves.

5. Grafting method:

Although Japanese euonymus shows a tree-like trait and grows 3 to 5 times faster than ordinary Chinese euonymus, for Japanese euonymus to grow into large-sized nursery stock with a diameter at breast height of 5 to 6 cm takes at least 6 to 8 years, or as long as 10 to 15 years or more. To cultivate large-sized, large-quantity nursery stock within 5 to 6 years, Euonymus bungeanus used as rootstock must first be cultivated. Euonymus bungeanus has a well-developed root system, a high transplant survival rate, and fast growth, and can be cultivated into nursery stock with a diameter at breast height of 5 to 6 cm within 3 to 4 years. Japanese euonymus grafted onto Euonymus bungeanus rootstock forms its crown early, and the grafted seedlings have strong cold resistance.