How do rhododendrons reproduce? An introduction to rhododendron propagation methods
Rhododendrons can be propagated by five methods: cuttings, grafting, layering, division, and sowing, among which the cutting method is the most common and produces the largest number of plants. Layering produces seedlings fastest, grafting is the most complex propagation method, and grafting is used only for varieties that are difficult to root from cuttings, while sowing is mainly used for breeding varieties.
Sowing method
For sowing, evergreen rhododendrons are best sown as soon as the seeds are collected, while deciduous rhododendrons can also have their seeds stored until spring sowing the following year. At a temperature of 15-20°C, seedlings emerge in about 20 days.
Cutting method
When using cuttings for propagation, a new shallow clay pot with a 20 cm diameter is best, because it has good air permeability and makes rooting easy. A growing medium mixed from 20% humus garden soil, 40% horse manure crumbs, and 40% river sand can be used as the substrate. The best times for cuttings are spring (May) and autumn (October), when the temperature is between 20-25°C, which is most suitable for cuttings. When taking cuttings, choose vigorous current-year semi-lignified shoot tips as the cuttings, use very sharp scissors or a knife, cut 6-10 cm with a node, and the cut must be smooth and neat. Remove the lower leaves and keep only 3-4 small leaves at the top. Buy 1 ampoule of vitamin B12 injection; after opening it, dip the cutting in the liquid, take it out and let it dry for a moment, then it can be inserted. Before inserting, use a watering can to moisten the growing medium in the pot the day before, but do not spray too much; by the next day it will be just moist, which is most suitable for cuttings. The insertion depth is 3-4 cm. When inserting, first use chopsticks to poke a hole in the soil, then insert the cutting, press the soil firmly with your hand so that the potting soil and the cutting are in full contact, and then water thoroughly once. After inserting, it is best to cover the flowerpot with a plastic bag and tie the opening firmly with a string; open it when watering is needed, and tie it again after watering thoroughly. The pot with cuttings should be placed where there is no direct sunlight. The potting soil for the cuttings should be sprayed with water every day for 10 days; except on rainy days, spray once on cloudy days, and twice in dry weather, but the amount of water sprayed each day should not be too much. After 10 days, still pay frequent attention to keeping the soil moist. Within 4-5 weeks, shade is needed, and only after sprouting can they gradually receive some sunlight. Generally, rooting takes about 2 months. After that, shade is only needed for 2-3 hours at noon, and the rest of the time they can receive light freely, so as to facilitate photosynthesis and produce nutrients on their own.
Grafting method
Western azaleas are more often propagated by grafting, usually by softwood cleft grafting. The grafting time is not restricted, and the rootstock is mostly two-year-old Rhododendron pulchrum; the survival rate reaches more than 90%.
How to grow rhododendrons: rhododendron propagation methods
Rhododendron is a herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family. It is only a little over half a meter tall and has pinnate green leaves. The rhododendron surrounded by green leaves is very beautiful, elegant and unique with a distinctive charm. Below, I will share with you the propagation methods of rhododendron. Rhododendron propagation methods
1. What is rhododendron
Rhododendron is one of China's top ten famous flowers. It has many varieties and its colors are bright and beautiful. Rhododendrons are deeply loved by everyone, because they have high ornamental value and can also embellish courtyards, so they have long enjoyed the reputation of being the "Xi Shi" among flowers.
2. Rhododendron propagation methods
When propagating rhododendrons, pay attention to their growth habits. Rhododendron is a plant that likes coolness but fears summer heat, so be sure to provide a certain degree of shading for rhododendrons, and it is best to know how to avoid hot, direct sunlight. Rhododendrons do not like dry soil, so prepare a moist soil living environment for them. Rhododendrons have relatively high requirements for acidic soil, so they cannot be planted on saline-alkali land. Rhododendrons like lighter soil and cannot be planted in heavy soil. Next is to rely on excellent drainage performance, and soil waterlogging must not be caused.
3. How to grow rhododendrons - site
Rhododendrons can be planted indoors or outdoors in the open air. Planting rhododendrons requires a drainage slope. If they are planted in flowerpots, a partition plate needs to be installed.
Propagating rhododendrons through multiple ways: rhododendron propagation methods
Seeing the brilliance of rhododendrons has stirred the hearts of many friends to grow them. So, is rhododendron propagation easy? What are the propagation methods for rhododendrons? There really are quite a few rhododendron propagation methods. This article intends to select the commonly used methods and give a brief introduction. For reference.
Rhododendrons can be propagated by five methods: cuttings, grafting, layering, division, and sowing, among which the cutting method is the most common. It produces the largest number of plants; layering produces seedlings fastest; grafting is the most complex propagation method, and grafting is used only for varieties that are difficult to root from cuttings; sowing is mainly used for breeding varieties.
1. Cutting method
This method is the most widely used. Its advantages are simple operation, high survival rate, rapid growth, and stable traits.
① Time: Western azaleas from late May to early June, Rhododendron pulchrum in early to mid-June, spring azaleas and summer azaleas in mid-to-late June, when the branches are moderately old and tender and the climate is warm and humid.
② Cuttings: Take current-year shoots that have just become lignified, break them off with a heel, trim the rough ends smooth, cut off the lower leaves, keep 3-5 leaves at the top, and keep them moist until insertion.
③ Cutting management: The cutting substrate can use orchid soil, alpine humus soil, yellow subsoil, vermiculite, etc. The insertion depth should preferably be 1/3 to 1/2 of the cutting length. After cutting is completed, spray thoroughly with water, cover with plastic film to retain moisture, and provide appropriate shade. Keep the cutting substrate moist at all times within one month. Rhododendron pulchrum, spring azaleas, and summer azaleas can root in about one month, while western azaleas need about 60-70 days.
2. Grafting
One rootstock can be grafted with multiple scions and multiple varieties, growing quickly, with good plant shape and a high survival rate.
① Time: From May to June, use softwood cleft grafting or side grafting.
② Rootstock: Choose 2-year-old Rhododendron pulchrum, and require the new shoots and scions to be appropriately matched in thickness. The best rootstock varieties are Rhododendron pulchrum 'Yu Hudie' and 'Zi Hudie'.
③ Scions: From the mother plant of western azalea, cut 3-4 cm long soft shoots, remove the lower leaves, keep 3-4 small leaves at the tip, and use a blade to cut the base into a wedge shape, with the cut surface about 0.5-1.0 cm long. 5. Grafting management: Cut off the current-year new shoot of Rhododendron pulchrum at 2-3 cm, remove the leaves at that position, make a vertical cut 1 cm long, insert the wedge-shaped end of the scion, align the cambium layers, tie the joint with a plastic film strip, put on a plastic bag and tie the opening to retain moisture; place it under a shade shed, avoiding direct sunlight and blazing sun. Seven days after grafting, as long as there are fine water droplets inside the bag and the scion does not wilt, survival is possible; remove the bag after 2 months, and remove the tying strip the following spring.
If you want to grow rhododendrons but do not want to buy a whole pot from the flower market to grow, you might as well try the two most commonly used propagation methods above. But be careful to proceed according to the time requirements and propagation requirements involved.