How to Propagate Jerusalem Cherry? Detailed Methods and Tips

Sowing

Sowing Jerusalem cherry is generally carried out from March to June each year. First, collect the seeds of Jerusalem cherry that matured in winter, and before sowing, carry out preparation work such as rinsing and drying. We can also buy ready-treated Jerusalem cherry seeds on the market and sow them directly.

The specific operation of sowing is: first evenly scatter the Jerusalem cherry seeds in the prepared potting soil, then cover with a thin layer of soil, and water thoroughly; after that, simply wait about a week and the Jerusalem cherry will sprout, at which point you can carry out seedling separation and transplanting. When sowing, after covering with the thin layer of soil, you can add a layer of plastic film to retain moisture and promote the germination of Jerusalem cherry seeds.

Cuttings

Cuttings of Jerusalem cherry can be done in spring, summer and autumn. Carrying out cutting propagation during the summer growing period of Jerusalem cherry will greatly increase its survival rate, while the advantage of cutting in autumn is that you can enjoy the lovely look of Jerusalem cherry bearing fruit in the winter of that same year.

The specific method of cutting is: first prune off a terminal branch of Jerusalem cherry, about 8 to 10 cm long, and remove the flower buds at the top, then insert the trimmed branch into the soil; after that, simply keep the soil moist, with the temperature between 18-28°C,

and regularly spray water mist on the tender buds and leaves at the top of the branch; after about ten days, the Jerusalem cherry cutting will have taken root.

Now that we have covered two propagation methods for Jerusalem cherry, how can you make your Jerusalem cherry look even better? Come and take a look with the editor at the points to note when growing Jerusalem cherry!

Propagation Methods of Jerusalem Cherry

Introduction to Jerusalem Cherry Propagation Methods and Points to Note

Jerusalem Cherry

A new favorite for balconies, Jerusalem cherry is also called Jiqing Fruit, Four-Season Fruit, Coral Bean, etc. Apart from its color, its fruit closely resembles a cherry, and apart from its shape, it closely resembles a small tomato. As a short plant, it can fill its entire flowering branches with fruit when the harvest season arrives; it is suitable for potting, and its propagation methods are also very simple. Below we explain in detail the propagation methods and points to note for Jerusalem cherry.

I. Growth Habits of Jerusalem Cherry

It is especially often seen at field edges, roadsides, in thickets or beside ditches; it is common in areas at an altitude of 1350-2800 m, and is also distributed in areas at 600 m.

Jerusalem cherry likes sunlight, warmth and tolerates high temperatures; above 35°C there is no sunscald. It is not shade-tolerant, nor cold-tolerant, nor drought-resistant; in the hot summer it fears rain and waterlogging. It is not strict about soil, but grows vigorously in fertile, loose, well-drained slightly acidic or neutral soil. It has strong sprouting ability. It is not cold-tolerant; for potted ornamental growing in the north, it needs to be moved into a greenhouse to overwinter.

II. What Propagation Methods Does Jerusalem Cherry Have

Jerusalem cherry propagation usually uses cutting propagation and sowing propagation. Cutting propagation is suitable in spring and autumn, and the sowing time is March-April in spring.

1. Sowing method

Harvest mature seeds in winter, rinse them and dry them in the sun, and sow before Qingming the following year. For small-scale propagation, this can be done in a flower pot: evenly scatter the seeds on top, cover with a thin layer of soil, then soak up water in a water basin. To keep it moist, cover the mouth of the pot with glass or plastic film, so that it can sprout in about a week; when new leaves grow, you can separate the seedlings and transplant them. If you want to raise a large number of seedlings, you can sow in a seedbed; after sowing, spray thoroughly with a fine-holed watering can, then spray again whenever it looks dry, just keeping it moist. After transplanting, apply a light fertilizer once and place it in a spot with plenty of light.

2. Cutting method

When taking cuttings, cut (or thin out) growing branches about 8~10 cm long with terminal buds (remove any flower buds), and take cuttings in the usual way. Keep the seedbed or potting soil moist, and regularly spray water mist on the terminal buds and terminal leaves of the cuttings; at a temperature between 18~28°C, they will take root in about 10 days. If the cutting's root system is well developed and the plant is short, it is suitable for growing into a small ornamental-fruit potted flower. After cutting in autumn, you can enjoy heavy clusters of bright red fruit in winter.

Jerusalem Cherry

III. Disease Control Among the Points to Note in Jerusalem Cherry Propagation

Potted Jerusalem cherry is prone to anthracnose during high summer temperatures. It mainly harms the leaves, and can also harm the stems. There are two types of symptoms: one occurs on the leaves. In the early stage of the disease, circular lesions appear on the leaves, changing from circular reddish-brown to grayish-white, then to dark brown, and producing black dots arranged in concentric rings, namely the pathogen's acervuli. This disease occurs at the leaf margins and leaf tips; in severe cases the leaves wither, turn black and die. The pathogen is a fungal disease; the fungus overwinters as mycelium in parasitic remains or in the soil. Old leaves begin to show the disease from late April to early May, the disease progresses faster from June to July, and is more severe in the rainy season; new leaves begin to show the disease from August. When potted flowers are placed too densely and leaves cross each other, the disease spreads easily, but disease resistance differs among varieties.

IV. Control Methods

1. Select excellent disease-resistant varieties.

1. In the early stage of the disease, cut off diseased leaves and burn them promptly to prevent the pathogen from spreading and expanding; avoid placing plants too densely and avoid overhead watering, and always maintain ventilation and light.

4. In the early stage of the disease, spray 50% carbendazim wettable powder at 700-800 times dilution or 75% chlorothalonil at 500 times dilution.

5. Pest control: The main pest of Jerusalem cherry is aphids, which are small, green or black, and often gather in groups on the tender branches and leaves of many flowers to suck nutrients.

6. Control method: Spray with 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate at 2000 times dilution or 50% dichlorvos emulsifiable concentrate at 1500-2000 times dilution.

The reason disease control for Jerusalem cherry is placed under the points to note in propagation is mainly that, without a healthy and good plant, how could you propagate excellent Jerusalem cherry? So whether sowing or cutting, you must choose an excellent substrate.