What are the propagation methods for witch hazel? This article explains in detail

Witch hazel mostly grows on hillsides, in stream valleys and similar places. It is an alpine tree species and a warm-climate tree species, but witch hazel has fairly strong cold tolerance and can still grow in the open at temperatures of minus 15°C. Witch hazel is mainly propagated by sowing, and can also be propagated by layering and grafting.

Witch hazel

Sowing propagation. Witch hazel flowers (details) from December to March of the following year. The fruit ripens in October. The capsule is yellow-brown when mature and has the habit of ejecting the seedling seeds when the capsule splits. Therefore, the collected fruits should be covered before drying in the sun to avoid loss of seedling seeds. The 1000-seed weight of the seedling seeds is 65 grams.

The seedling seeds have a long dormancy period, so they do not germinate in the year after sowing and only sprout and emerge from the soil in the spring of the second year. Therefore, the seedling seeds are mostly stratified in moist sand for 1 year, then sown in autumn or spring. Drill sowing is used, with a row spacing of 20-25 cm and a sowing depth of 2 cm. After sowing, cover with soil; after emergence, provide shade, keep the soil moist, pay attention to drainage in the rainy season, and stop shading in mid-to-late September. The seedlings continue to be cultivated in the same place for one more year. After the end of the second year's growing period, transplant them and cultivate large seedlings.

Layering propagation can be carried out in both spring and autumn. Cut and wound the branch below a node, and bury it in a previously dug trench 6-8 cm deep. With the tip pointing upward, fix the branch with a bamboo stick, then cover with soil and keep the soil constantly moist. In the spring of the following year, it can be cut from the mother plant and planted separately.

Transplanting. Witch hazel is relatively tolerant of transplanting. It is generally done in October-November. Transplanting too late will affect early-spring flowering. Small and medium seedlings are transplanted with the original soil, while large seedlings need to be transplanted with a soil ball.

Propagation methods of witch hazel

Propagation methods of witch hazel

The propagation of witch hazel is mainly by sowing; to increase variety diversity, cuttings, grafting and other methods are occasionally used

Sowing and seedling raising

After the fruits mature in autumn, collect the fruiting branches and place them in the sun to dry for 2-3 days; the fruits will split open on their own. Take out the seeds and sow them. About half a month to around twenty days after sowing, the seeds basically germinate; choose a time when the light is not very intense and uncover the covering grass. In addition, promptly carry out loosening the soil, weeding, topdressing and other work afterward. During this period, pay attention to water and fertilizer management so as to cultivate healthy saplings. After the seedlings lose their leaves and before they sprout the following spring, begin transporting the seedlings for bare-root planting or transplanting to complete the final planting.

 Other propagation

For the propagation of witch hazel, seeds are mostly used for sowing and seedling raising. Grafting, cuttings and other methods can also be used, but their propagation survival rate is not as good as sowing, so they are rarely used.

Witch hazel cultivation methods and precautions

Witch hazel cultivation methods

Soil selection

Witch hazel is not strict about soil requirements and can grow in acidic and neutral soils. Fertile, loose, well-drained sandy soil is the best choice.

Light and temperature

Witch hazel likes light, but it can also grow in semi-shaded environments. It likes a warm growing environment and can also tolerate cold. When cultivating witch hazel, good light is required. In the early stage of growth, appropriate shading can be provided. Keep the temperature between 15°C and 35°C. In winter it can tolerate cold, and its cold tolerance is relatively strong.

Watering and fertilizing

Witch hazel likes moist soil and requires fertility. Water appropriately during the growing period to keep the soil moist. Fertilize normally; fertilize in early spring to promote growth, and apply phosphorus fertilizer once when flowering.

Propagation methods

Witch hazel can be propagated by sowing, which takes a relatively long time. It can also be propagated by cuttings, grafting and layering. Sowing is mainly done in spring, and cuttings are done in the rainy season.

Precautions for cultivating witch hazel

Pests and diseases

During cultivation, witch hazel may be harmed by diseases such as leaf spot and anthracnose. These diseases can be treated by spraying chemicals. The main pests are moths such as nettle caterpillars and leaf-roller moths, which can be controlled by manual capture or insecticides.

Pruning

Witch hazel needs pruning during cultivation, and the tree height can generally be kept below 2 m. The main pruning time is after flowering; cut off the spent flowers and trim the plant shape to keep it beautiful. Pruning in September is mainly to cut off messy branches so that normal branches can grow, and clustered disordered branches should be cut off from the base.