How to Propagate Leatherleaf Mahonia? Three Propagation Methods Explained

Livestock Farming Jan 1, 1970 0 views

Leatherleaf Mahonia (Mahonia bealei) is a plant valued for its foliage, flowers and fruit. It has a long history of cultivation, and every part of the plant can be used medicinally, which makes it a very popular plant among the public. On the market, Leatherleaf Mahonia also has very good prospects. Xiaobing will now introduce three propagation methods for Leatherleaf Mahonia.

Leatherleaf Mahonia

I. Seed Propagation Method

The fruit only ripens in late November. Harvest the fruit in December, but do not thresh it out at first. Pile the fruit up for a period of after-ripening, then rub off the fruit skin, wash the seeds clean, and after drying them in the shade either sow them in winter or mix them with damp sand and store them for the winter. For spring sowing, sow in drills in an open seedbed in March of the following year. The optimum germination temperature is 20-22°C. Space the rows 15-20 cm apart, make the drills 7 cm deep, and cover with 2-2.5 cm of soil. Germination and emergence begin in late April; the covering straw should be removed promptly, and after the plum rain season, reed blinds or a shade net should be set up for shading. In some places, hole sowing is used, with holes about 20 cm apart and about 4 seeds scattered in each hole, covered with about 6 cm of soil. The seeds can also be stored in clean damp sand to promote germination; once the seeds have split open and shown white, sow them in drills, which gives more uniform and consistent emergence. Hole sowing saves seed. Keep the soil moist after sowing, and seedlings will emerge in about 2 weeks. In the early spring of the second year, transplant the seedlings once, continuing to shade them, and after one more year of growing on they can be released from the nursery. Seedlings grown from seed can only flower 4-5 years after planting.

The seedlings need to be raised in a seedbed for 2-3 years, and can be transplanted once they reach 30-40 cm in height. Transplanting is generally done in March-April each year; in arid and semi-arid areas, transplanting in September-October in autumn is preferable. Before planting, dig up the young seedlings and cut off some of the leaves to reduce the area of transpiration. Prepare the ground and make beds 130 cm wide; the length of the beds is determined by the number of seedlings at miaomu.w.cn and the specific terrain. Dig a hole for each plant with 30 cm between both rows and plants, plant one seedling per hole, firm the soil down level with the ground, water to settle the roots, and after the water has seeped in, cover with a layer of soil to conserve moisture.

II. Division Propagation Method

Division of Leatherleaf Mahonia is carried out from mid-October to mid-November or from late February to late March in spring. The stems of Leatherleaf Mahonia grow upright in clumps, and its branching ability is weak; when propagating by cuttings, the stems must be cut back to take cuttings, which temporarily leaves the mother plant unable to be viewed, so it is common in winter to repot and change the soil, divide the whole clump of plants into tillers, and pot them up. After they have taken, the original stems are cut back short to encourage the root system to send up new root suckers and form new clumps. Transplanting can be done in either spring or autumn, keeping the original soil or keeping a mud ball. Care and management are simple; be careful to prune dead branches and keep the plant tidy.

III. Cutting Propagation Method

Cutting propagation of Leatherleaf Mahonia should be carried out in late March. Take sturdy stems that dropped their leaves in winter as cuttings, cut them into 15 cm sections, and insert them into loose, fertile sandy loam to a depth of 10 cm, and set up reed blinds or a shade net for shading. In the north, take softwood cuttings in June-July. The cuttings are 10-12 cm long; keep 1 compound leaf at the tip, cut off the leaflets at the tip of the compound leaf, and keep only the 2 basal leaflets and cut them back by 1/2. Insert them into plain sand in a large flower pot to a depth of 5 cm, and keep them shaded. New roots can grow after the Beginning of Autumn, and before winter set the seedlings into pots, then move them into a cold room to overwinter.

Cultivation and Management of Leatherleaf Mahonia

Mahonia, in the family Berberidaceae and the genus Mahonia, can be used as a potted plant, in garden planting and medicinally. Other names: Narrow-leaved Mahonia, Fine-leaved Mahonia, Huangtianzhu, Tuhuangbai, Mao'erci, Tuhuanglian, Bajiaoci, Cihuangbai, Mao'ertou (a common name in southern Anhui, Maociye), Cihuangqin. Gonglaomu, Mahonia, Shanhuangqin, Xifengzhu, Cihuanglian. It grows at an altitude of 350-2000 m on hillside forest floors and in shrub thickets or in rather shady, damp places; it is shade-loving and is propagated by seed. It can be used medicinally to clear heat and detoxify, reduce swelling, stop diarrhea, and treat dysentery, jaundice and hepatitis, burns, scalds and sores.

  Cultivation methods: Leatherleaf Mahonia can be propagated by sowing, cuttings and division.
  For sowing, between May and August, pick fruit clusters whose berries have softened and turned purple-black. Remove the berries, mix them with fine sand and rub them, then float off the skins, flesh and shriveled seeds. After spreading them out to dry slightly, sow them in drills on a soft, fertile seedbed with 15 cm between rows and 1 cm to 2 cm between seeds, covering with 2 cm to 3 cm of soil and adding a layer of rice straw to retain moisture. They will germinate and emerge within 15 days. The seeds can also be stored in clean damp sand to promote germination; once the seeds have split open and shown white, sow them in drills, which gives more uniform and consistent emergence. Strengthen shading during the seedling stage, and give a suitable topdressing after 1 month. In the first year the seedlings can reach 15 cm to 20 cm in height. Protect them from the cold in winter, and thin and transplant them in the following spring. Keep them in the bed to grow on for 2 to 3 years, and when the seedlings reach 80 cm to 100 cm in height they can be used for potted display and garden landscaping. Note that when lifting and transplanting the seedlings, a mud ball must be kept to prevent the young, tender yellow fibrous roots from losing water, which would affect growth after planting out.
  For cuttings, thick old stems can be used in late autumn and early winter, cut into sections about 15 cm long, or softwood shoots can be used as cuttings during the plum rain season; the survival rate can reach more than 90% in either case. The low plants propagated from thick old stems are especially suitable for indoor potted display. Open-ground cuttings should be taken in late March, using sturdy stems that dropped their leaves in winter as cuttings, cut into 15 cm sections, and inserted into loose sandy loam to a depth of 10 cm, with reed blinds or a shade net set up for shading. In the north, take softwood cuttings in June-July. The cuttings are 10-12 cm long; keep 1 compound leaf at the tip, cut off the leaflets at the tip of the compound leaf, and keep only the 2 basal leaflets and cut them back by 1/2. Insert them into plain sand in a large flower pot to a depth of 5 cm, and keep them shaded. New roots can grow after the Beginning of Autumn, and before winter set the seedlings into pots, then move them into a cold room to overwinter.
  Division can be carried out from mid-October to mid-November or from late February to late March. The stems of Leatherleaf Mahonia grow upright in clumps, and its branching ability is weak; when propagating by cuttings, the stems must be cut back to take cuttings, which temporarily leaves the mother plant unable to be viewed, so it is common in winter to repot and change the soil, divide the whole clump of plants into tillers, and pot them up. After they have taken, the original stems are cut back short to encourage the root system to send up new root suckers and form new clumps. Transplanting can be done in either spring or autumn, keeping the original soil or keeping a mud ball. Care and management are simple; be careful to prune dead branches and keep the plant tidy.
  Care and Management
  Potting is best done in April-May. Pay attention to shaping and pruning when planting. After new buds sprout, fertilizer can be applied 1-2 times. During the growing season keep the potting soil moist, but not waterlogged. Leatherleaf Mahonia has strong sprouting ability, so remove tiller buds promptly to keep the plant's shape attractive.
  Leatherleaf Mahonia is very robust. In the south it can be planted in the open ground beneath ornamental trees in gardens or on the north side of buildings, or on the shady side of slopes in scenic areas; the ground must not be waterlogged, and it needs no irrigation or topdressing. After growing for 2-3 years, it can be cut back to the ground once to let it send up new stems and new leaves to renew the old plant. If it is not cut back and renewed, the old leaves turn yellow at the tips but do not fall, and the new leaves cannot grow out, which looks quite unattractive. When potting, a large amount of sand should be mixed into the growing medium to prevent water from accumulating in the pot. It can be repotted and have its soil changed once every 2 years. As the root suckers emerge and the clump continues to expand, gradually move it into larger pots, at most into a "three-hoop" pot; do not plant it into a wooden barrel, because old plants have little ornamental value. Over-mature plants can be divided and cut back to the ground and still planted into fairly small flower pots. During the peak growing season, topdress 3-4 times. Provide suitable shade in spring and summer. In the rainy season, ventilation should be strengthened, otherwise scale insects will be extremely severe. In winter it should be moved into a cold room to overwinter and be allowed to go dormant; if the room temperature exceeds 15°C, it is extremely unfavorable for the next year's growth.
  Keep the soil moist before the seedlings emerge from the seedbed. Pull out weeds in the seedbed as soon as they appear, and water appropriately during dry spells when there is no rain. After transplanting, weed and topdress 2-3 times each year, and in winter prune the tree shape and remove damaged branches and yellow leaves.

Propagation and Management of Leatherleaf Mahonia

    Propagation methods: Leatherleaf Mahonia can be propagated by sowing, cuttings and division.

    For sowing, between May and August, pick fruit clusters whose berries have softened and turned purple-black. Remove the berries, mix them with fine sand and rub them, then float off the skins, flesh and shriveled seeds. After spreading them out to dry slightly, sow them in drills on a soft, fertile seedbed with 15 cm between rows and 1 cm to 2 cm between seeds, covering with 2 cm to 3 cm of soil and adding a layer of rice straw to retain moisture. They will germinate and emerge within 15 days. The seeds can also be stored in clean damp sand to promote germination; once the seeds have split open and shown white, sow them in drills, which gives more uniform and consistent emergence. Strengthen shading during the seedling stage, and give a suitable topdressing after 1 month. In the first year the seedlings can reach 15 cm to 20 cm in height. Protect them from the cold in winter, and thin and transplant them in the following spring. Keep them in the bed to grow on for 2 to 3 years, and when the seedlings reach 80 cm to 100 cm in height they can be used for potted display and garden landscaping. Note that when lifting and transplanting the seedlings, a mud ball must be kept to prevent the young, tender yellow fibrous roots from losing water, which would affect growth after planting out.

    For cuttings, thick old stems can be used in late autumn and early winter, cut into sections about 15 cm long, or softwood shoots can be used as cuttings during the plum rain season; the survival rate can reach more than 90% in either case. The low plants propagated from thick old stems are especially suitable for indoor potted display. Open-ground cuttings should be taken in late March, using sturdy stems that dropped their leaves in winter as cuttings, cut into 15 cm sections, and inserted into loose sandy loam to a depth of 10 cm, with reed blinds or a shade net set up for shading. In the north, take softwood cuttings in June-July. The cuttings are 10-12 cm long; keep 1 compound leaf at the tip, cut off the leaflets at the tip of the compound leaf, and keep only the 2 basal leaflets and cut them back by 1/2. Insert them into plain sand in a large flower pot to a depth of 5 cm, and keep them shaded. New roots can grow after the Beginning of Autumn, and before winter set the seedlings into pots, then move them into a cold room to overwinter.

    Division can be carried out from mid-October to mid-November or from late February to late March. The stems of Leatherleaf Mahonia grow upright in clumps, and its branching ability is weak; when propagating by cuttings, the stems must be cut back to take cuttings, which temporarily leaves the mother plant unable to be viewed, so it is common in winter to repot and change the soil, divide the whole clump of plants into tillers, and pot them up. After they have taken, the original stems are cut back short to encourage the root system to send up new root suckers and form new clumps. Transplanting can be done in either spring or autumn, keeping the original soil or keeping a mud ball. Care and management are simple; be careful to prune dead branches and keep the plant tidy.

    Care and Management

    Potting is best done in April-May. Pay attention to shaping and pruning when planting. After new buds sprout, fertilizer can be applied 1-2 times. During the growing season keep the potting soil moist, but not waterlogged. Leatherleaf Mahonia has strong sprouting ability, so remove tiller buds promptly to keep the plant's shape attractive.

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Leatherleaf Mahonia is very robust. In the south it can be planted in the open ground beneath ornamental trees in gardens or on the north side of buildings, or on the shady side of slopes in scenic areas; the ground must not be waterlogged, and it needs no irrigation or topdressing. After growing for 2-3 years, it can be cut back to the ground once to let it send up new stems and new leaves to renew the old plant. If it is not cut back and renewed, the old leaves turn yellow at the tips but do not fall, and the new leaves cannot grow out, which looks quite unattractive. When potting, a large amount of sand should be mixed into the growing medium to prevent water from accumulating in the pot. It can be repotted and have its soil changed once every 2 years. As the root suckers emerge and the clump continues to expand, gradually move it into larger pots, at most into a "three-hoop" pot; do not plant it into a wooden barrel, because old plants have little ornamental value. Over-mature plants can be divided and cut back to the ground and still planted into fairly small flower pots. During the peak growing season, topdress 3-4 times. Provide suitable shade in spring and summer. In the rainy season, ventilation should be strengthened, otherwise scale insects will be extremely severe. In winter it should be moved into a cold room to overwinter and be allowed to go dormant; if the room temperature exceeds 15°C, it is extremely unfavorable for the next year's growth.

Keep the soil moist before the seedlings emerge from the seedbed. Pull out weeds in the seedbed as soon as they appear, and water appropriately during dry spells when there is no rain. After transplanting, weed and topdress 2-3 times each year, and in winter prune the tree shape and remove damaged branches and yellow leaves.