How can the survival rate of white orchid (Michelia alba) be improved in air layering and cutting propagation?
How can the survival rate of white orchid be maximized during air layering and cutting propagation?
① Air layering: from May to July, select mature, healthy 1- to 2-year-old branches; make a girdle 4 to 5 mm wide at the point to be layered, place a film roll around the girdled area with the girdle centered. Tie the lower end firmly, fill with fine sandy soil, garden soil or humus soil that has been sun-dried for 5 to 7 days and then moistened, then seal the upper opening tightly. After 50 to 70 days, when new leaves begin to sprout, open the upper opening to check root development. If roots have grown, cut it off as a separate plant and transplant it promptly. If there are no roots, water thoroughly and rewrap it, and cut it away from the mother plant after roots form.
② Cuttings: during the growing season, select 1- to 2-year-old branches 6 to 10 cm long, cut the base flat with a sharp knife, remove the lower leaves, cut off 1/3 to 1/2 of the upper leaves, and insert them into sand or vermiculite that has been sterilized or sun-dried for 5 to 7 days. The depth should be just enough to keep them stable and prevent them from falling over when watered. Place them in half shade and maintain air and soil humidity. Roots can form in about 50 days, and heel cuttings give the highest survival rate.
② Cuttings: during the growing season, select 1- to 2-year-old branches 6 to 10 cm long, cut the base flat with a sharp knife, remove the lower leaves, cut off 1/3 to 1/2 of the upper leaves, and insert them into sand or vermiculite that has been sterilized or sun-dried for 5 to 7 days. The depth should be just enough to keep them stable and prevent them from falling over when watered. Place them in half shade and maintain air and soil humidity. Roots can form in about 50 days, and heel cuttings give the highest survival rate.