A detailed explanation of the key technical points for grafting propagation of Tokyo cherry blossoms

Tokyo cherry blossoms can be propagated at home as bonsai, and friends who like Tokyo cherry blossoms can also try propagating them themselves. Generally, Tokyo cherry blossoms can be propagated by methods such as grafting, sowing, and cuttings, with grafting propagation being the main method. The editor will now introduce the grafting propagation techniques for Tokyo cherry blossoms.

Tokyo cherry blossom

Cut grafting is generally carried out in March. Select robust 1-year-old cherry blossom branches as scions, cut them into small sections about 8 cm long, each with 2-3 plump buds. Use a grafting knife to cut 2 symmetrical slanted surfaces of different sizes at the lower end of the scion. One slanted surface is 2 cm long, cutting away 1/3 of the xylem; the other slanted surface is about 1 cm long, with only a little xylem shaved off, forming a wedge shape. The cut surfaces should be smooth, which helps survival. Cut off the selected rootstock at a height of 10 cm from the ground, then on the north side of the rootstock cross-section, choose a position matching the diameter of the scion, and use a cut-grafting knife to cut a slit from top to bottom along between the xylem and the cortex, slightly carrying xylem, about 3 cm deep. Immediately insert the longer slanted side of the scion facing inward into the rootstock cut, aligning the cambium (at least align the cambium on one side). Then tie the joint tightly with plastic tape and surround it with moist soil for protection. After the scion survives, remove the protective layer.

Photos of Prunus serrulata and an introduction to its morphology, habits, and varieties

Everyone has watched Japanese anime, right? Don't you find the scenes of cherry blossoms fluttering all over the roads in Japanese anime both beautiful and dreamy? In the movie 5 Centimeters per Second, the speed at which cherry blossoms fall has always been memorable. So how would you feel if you actually went to view cherry blossoms once? Spread out a picnic blanket, sit under the cherry tree, and enjoy the tranquility. Then today, the editor will introduce Prunus serrulata to everyone, so you can experience the beauty of cherry blossoms through words and visuals, the delicacy of pink and the purity of white.

Prunus serrulata is a type of cherry blossom. It is native to China and is a deciduous tree in the Rosaceae family. It blooms from January to April each year, and during the flowering period it does not grow leaves. The flower color is mostly deep peach red, with three to five flowers growing together, and they tend to droop, mostly single-petaled. Bai Juyi's poem says: "I also know the official residence is not my home, so I dig up Prunus serrulata and plant it all over the courtyard; my assistant has recently had many five-year assessments, so I should have seen the flowers bloom only about four times."

Morphology and habits

Deciduous tree, bark dark brown, smooth; young branches hairy when young. Leaves ovate-elliptic to obovate, 5-12 cm long, leaf tip abruptly acuminate, leaf base rounded to broadly cuneate, leaf margin with fine pointed double serrations, veins on the back of the leaf and petiole with soft hairs. Flowers white to light pink, 2-3 cm in diameter, usually single-petaled, slightly fragrant; calyx tube tubular, hairy; pedicel about 2 cm long, with short soft hairs; 3-6 flowers arranged in a short raceme. Drupe nearly spherical, black. Flowering period April, before leaves or opening at the same time as leaves.

Light-loving, prefers fertile, deep, and well-drained slightly acidic soil, and can also adapt to neutral soil, not tolerant of saline-alkali. Cold-resistant, prefers an environment with high air humidity. The root system is relatively shallow, and it dislikes waterlogging and low humidity. Its resistance to smoke, dust, and harmful gases is relatively poor.

Distribution

In China, it is mainly distributed in Heilongjiang, Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hunan, and Guizhou. But what everyone knows best is Japanese cherry blossom, and Japanese cherry blossom is also Prunus serrulata.

Key points for propagation and planting

Grafting propagation. Seedlings of cherry and wild cherry can be used as rootstock. Cut grafting in late March or bud grafting in late August. After grafting successfully, after 3-4 years of cultivation, they can be released from the nursery for planting. When planting, apply 15 kg-25 kg of decomposed compost per pit or trench, and in July apply 1 kg-2 kg of ammonium sulfate per plant. After flowering and before sprouting in early spring, it is necessary to prune dead branches, diseased and weak branches, and leggy branches, and try to avoid pruning thick branches, so as to keep the crown full and rounded.

Variety introduction

Taiwan, China Prunus serrulata. Prunus serrulata is a type of cherry blossom. It is native to China and Japan and is a deciduous tree in the Rosaceae family. It blooms from January to April each year, and during the flowering period it does not grow leaves. The flower color is mostly deep peach red, with three to five flowers growing together, and they tend to droop, mostly single-petaled.

Japanese Prunus serrulata. The cherry blossom colors include white and purplish red, while the leaf buds include purplish red, brown, and yellow-green, etc. The flower color and leaf bud color complement each other, giving it a very elegant quality. This kind of cherry tree has a very long lifespan, so quite a few that have grown into large trees have been designated as natural monuments in various places. It is mainly distributed in the southern half of Japan, with mountainous areas accounting for most of it. The flowering period is from mid-March to late March (Kagoshima), early April to mid-April (Kyoto, Tokyo), and late April (Matsushima).

After the above introduction, have you all developed a strong interest in Prunus serrulata? In recent years, many people have traveled to Japan, and everyone also knows that March and April in Japan are cherry blossom days. In Ueno Park, cherry blossoms fill the entire streets and park, and the scene is extremely spectacular and beautiful. In China, the cherry blossoms at Wuhan University have also won everyone's praise. After the cherry blossoms bloom fully, they are very dreamy and beautiful, and seeing such beautiful scenery during leisure and entertainment is even more refreshing. Hurry and take action to go see the cherry blossoms.