How to Propagate Elderberry? Detailed Explanation of Cuttage and Seed Sowing Methods
Elderberry can generally be propagated by cuttage, division, and seed sowing, and since cuttage and seed sowing are easier to carry out, these two methods are more commonly used. So how exactly should elderberry cuttage and seed sowing propagation be carried out?
Elderberry
1. Cuttage Propagation
In mid to late March, select one-year-old branches with good growth and no pests or diseases, cut them into cuttings of about 20 cm, with no fewer than 3 buds on each cutting. Before cuttage, tie every 10 cuttings into a bundle and soak them in clean water; this method helps the cuttings survive. Before cuttage, first disinfect the plain sandy soil cutting bed. The cuttage row spacing is 15 cm and the plant spacing is 10 cm. Immediately after cuttage, water thoroughly once, then set up a plastic tunnel to retain moisture. After that, water thoroughly once a week. Roots can form in about 20 days. In summer, set up a shade net to prevent direct strong sunlight at noon. In late autumn, transplanting can be carried out.
2. Seed Sowing Propagation
When the fruit is ripe, collect seeds from plants with good form and robust growth. After cleaning the seeds, place them in a shaded place and store them in a clean cloth bag. In early November, mix them with sand at a ratio of 1:3, keep them moist, and stratify them in sand in an open-air shaded place, covering with straw curtains or burlap pieces, and turn them over frequently. In early April of the following year, sow the seeds by broadcasting at a seeding rate of 15 g per sq m. After sowing, cover with clean fine sandy soil at a thickness of 0.5 cm. Seedlings can emerge in about 10 days. After 3 to 4 leaves have grown, thin the seedlings on a cloudy day. During the maintenance period, weeds should also be pulled out in time. In mid-June, apply urea once as a top dressing. In late autumn, apply cow and horse manure once, and water thoroughly with enough antifreeze water. In the spring of the following year, transplanting can be carried out for cultivation.
How to Propagate Elderberry by Cuttage
Elderberry belongs to the genus Sambucus in the Caprifoliaceae family and is distributed in the Northeast and various provinces and regions of North China. It is a deciduous shrub to small tree, up to 4 to 8 m tall. With luxuriant branches and leaves, white flowers all over the tree in spring, and abundant red fruits in summer and autumn, it is a good ornamental shrub. Propagation can be done by seed sowing, cuttage, or division.
Cuttage TimeIn the south, it can be carried out all year round. In the north, it is mostly carried out before sprouting in mid to late March in spring.
Cutting CollectionSelect vigorous, robust plants with neat and excellent flowers and fruits and no pests or diseases as mother trees for cutting collection. In early spring before the mother tree sprouts, cut strong, frost-damage-free, one-year-old fresh branches from the mother tree as cutting shoots. Before cutting, soak the entire branch in a 500-fold carbendazim solution for half an hour for sterilization and disinfection. Use sharp scissors when cutting.
Cutting of CuttingsCut each cutting into 10 to 15 cm in length with 2 to 4 buds. Cut from 0.5 cm below the lower node of the cutting, with the scissors on the opposite side of the bud, and cut the cut surface downward toward the bud into a horseshoe shape. Because the internodes store more nutrients, this facilitates the healing of large wounds and also helps the cuttings take root. Cut the upper end of the cutting into a flat opening 0.5 cm from the upper bud, which both reduces water evaporation and helps wound healing. To protect the cuts at both ends of the cutting, immediately dip them in plant ash. Alternatively, in January to February, in combination with winter pruning, cuttings can be cut and stored as needed. Tie them into small bundles according to diameter grade, bury the cuttings vertically in layers with moist sand in an earthen jar or in a ventilated indoor place without direct sunlight, spray clean water when dry, and store temporarily before cuttage.
Cutting Bed PreparationChoose farmland that is sheltered from the wind and facing the sun, with deep soil layers, fertile soil, loose texture, convenient irrigation and drainage, and previously planted with crops as the nursery site. Make beds running north-south and carry out deep plowing and fine harrowing; apply 0.5 million kg of thoroughly decomposed manure and 100 kg of superphosphate per mu as base fertilizer, 2 kg of carbofuran to control underground pests, and 5 kg of ferrous sulfate to neutralize soil salinity and alkalinity. Make high beds with deep furrows, with a bed height of 20 cm, bed width of 100 cm, and furrow width of 40 cm; the soil is required to be fine and crumbly, the bed surface flat, and the furrows unobstructed.
Cuttage OperationIn mid to late March when the temperature is stable, use the method of opening furrows and placing cuttings for cuttage. The furrow spacing is 20 cm, and the cuttings are 15 to 20 cm apart. Place the cuttings along one side of the furrow, with two-thirds of the cutting buried in the soil and the exposed one-third having 1 to 2 buds. Cover with soil immediately after cuttage, compact the soil, and water thoroughly. To ensure soil temperature and humidity, keep plastic film covering for one week after cuttage. In about 30 days, buds can emerge from the soil and leaves can grow.
Post-Cuttage ManagementAfter rain, drain accumulated water; in drought, irrigate; after buds sprout and leaves emerge until late June, apply 0.2% urea, 0.2% monopotassium phosphate, and 0.1% boric acid solution together with watering, once every 7 days, applied alternately; promptly remove side buds to cultivate the main trunk; in July, August, and September, combine cultivation and weeding to increase the lignification degree of the seedlings, and at the same time regularly spray the seedlings with 1000-fold omethoate solution to control whiteflies. In March to April of the following spring, when the temperature is stable, they can be dug out and planted for landscaping use.
Cultivation Techniques for Elderberry Cuttage Seedling Raising
Elderberry belongs to the genus Sambucus in the Caprifoliaceae family and is distributed in the Northeast and various provinces and regions of North China. It is a deciduous shrub to small tree, up to 4 to 8 m tall. With luxuriant branches and leaves, white flowers all over the tree in spring, and abundant red fruits in summer and autumn, it is a good ornamental shrub. Propagation can be done by seed sowing, cuttage, or division.
For cuttage time, in the south it can be carried out all year round. In the north, it is mostly carried out before sprouting in mid to late March in spring.
For cutting collection, select vigorous, robust plants with neat and excellent flowers and fruits and no pests or diseases as mother trees for cutting collection. In early spring before the mother tree sprouts, cut strong, frost-damage-free, one-year-old fresh branches from the mother tree as cutting shoots. Before cutting, soak the entire branch in a 500-fold carbendazim solution for half an hour for sterilization and disinfection. Use sharp scissors when cutting.
For cutting of cuttings, cut each cutting into 10 to 15 cm in length with 2 to 4 buds. Cut from 0.5 cm below the lower node of the cutting, with the scissors on the opposite side of the bud, and cut the cut surface downward toward the bud into a horseshoe shape. Because the internodes store more nutrients, this facilitates the healing of large wounds and also helps the cuttings take root. Cut the upper end of the cutting into a flat opening 0.5 cm from the upper bud, which both reduces water evaporation and helps wound healing. To protect the cuts at both ends of the cutting, immediately dip them in plant ash.
Alternatively, in January to February, in combination with winter pruning, cuttings can be cut and stored as needed. Tie them into small bundles according to diameter grade, bury the cuttings vertically in layers with moist sand in an earthen jar or in a ventilated indoor place without direct sunlight, spray clean water when dry, and store temporarily before cuttage.
For cutting bed preparation, choose farmland that is sheltered from the wind and facing the sun, with deep soil layers, fertile soil, loose texture, convenient irrigation and drainage, and previously planted with crops as the nursery site. Make beds running north-south and carry out deep plowing and fine harrowing; apply 0.5 million kg of thoroughly decomposed manure and 100 kg of superphosphate per mu as base fertilizer, 2 kg of carbofuran to control underground pests, and 5 kg of ferrous sulfate to neutralize soil salinity and alkalinity. Make high beds with deep furrows, with a bed height of 20 cm, bed width of 100 cm, and furrow width of 40 cm; the soil is required to be fine and crumbly, the bed surface flat, and the furrows unobstructed.
For cuttage operation, in mid to late March when the temperature is stable, use the method of opening furrows and placing cuttings for cuttage. The furrow spacing is 20 cm, and the cuttings are 15 to 20 cm apart. Place the cuttings along one side of the furrow, with two-thirds of the cutting buried in the soil and the exposed one-third having 1 to 2 buds. Cover with soil immediately after cuttage, compact the soil, and water thoroughly. To ensure soil temperature and humidity, keep plastic film covering for one week after cuttage. In about 30 days, buds can emerge from the soil and leaves can grow.
For post-cuttage management, after rain, drain accumulated water; in drought, irrigate; after buds sprout and leaves emerge until late June, apply 0.2% urea, 0.2% monopotassium phosphate, and 0.1% boric acid solution together with watering, once every 7 days, applied alternately; promptly remove side buds to cultivate the main trunk; in July, August, and September, combine cultivation and weeding to increase the lignification degree of the seedlings, and at the same time regularly spray the seedlings with 1000-fold omethoate solution to control whiteflies. In March to April of the following spring, when the temperature is stable, they can be dug out and planted for landscaping use.