How to propagate Fragrant Wood? A detailed guide to common propagation methods

Fragrant Wood (Pistacia weinmannifolia) is a sun-loving tree, but it also tolerates light shade. It prefers warmth, requires deep soil, has strong sprouting ability, grows slowly, and lives long. However, its seedlings are not very cold-resistant and need protection in North China. The plant can withstand low temperatures of -10°C. It likes soil with ample sunlight and good drainage. Fragrant Wood is usually propagated by sowing seeds and by cuttings. Let's take a look at the propagation methods for Fragrant Wood below!

Propagating Fragrant Wood by sowing seeds

The seed maturation period of Fragrant Wood is very close to its seed-shedding period. Once mature, the seeds fall off at the slightest wind or rain, making them hard to collect, or they are eaten by birds and animals. When the seeds begin to show signs of maturity, collect them from the tree in time. Fragrant Wood seeds are wrapped in juicy flesh and are prone to contamination and mildew. The collected seeds must be processed immediately: pile the fruits to ferment, crush the fruit skin, wash them in water, remove the seeds and discard the debris, then dry them in the shade and store them in a ventilated, dry place.

1. Sowing season: Both spring and autumn work, but autumn sowing generally has a higher germination rate than spring sowing. Before sowing, soak the carefully selected seeds in warm water at an initial temperature of about 20°C for 24 hours. Once the seeds absorb water and swell, remove them and place them under warm, moist conditions to promote germination. Generally, about 6 kg of seed is used per mu.

2. Points to note

① Fear of waterlogging: The soil should be kept as dry and loose as possible. Generally, do not water, or water as little as possible.

② Fear of shade: During the seedling stage, thin the seedlings in time to increase light penetration and air circulation for the seedlings.

③ Fear of fertilizer damage: Fragrant Wood is quite sensitive to fertilizer. For seedlings, apply as little fertilizer as possible or even none at all, to avoid excessive fertility causing fertilizer burn or leggy growth in the seedlings.

Raising Fragrant Wood seedlings by cuttings

Cuttings can be taken in both spring and autumn. During the tree's dormant period, select 1-year-old robust branches from a vigorous mother tree, cut them into cuttings 10-15 cm long, with the upper cut about 1-1.5 cm from a bud and the lower cut about 0.3-0.5 cm from a bud. For the cutting medium, choose a cutting soil with good permeability, medium water-holding capacity, and a neutral or slightly acidic pH.

Before cutting, the medium must be sterilized. Soak the base of the cuttings in ABT rooting powder solution (use according to the instructions). The soaking time is 12-24 hours. Open a trench and bury the cuttings, inserting them about 2/3 into the soil. After cutting, cover with plastic film to raise air humidity. Careful management is needed before rooting, and roots begin to form after about 45 days.