Can Flowering Maple (Abutilon) Be Propagated by Cuttings? A Detailed Guide to the Method
In fact, the main way to propagate flowering maple is through cuttings. Cuttings can be taken in spring, or after its flowering period begins, that is, from June to August. When taking cuttings in spring, choose a healthy 1- to 2-year-old mother plant of flowering maple, then select branches from the mother plant with shorter internodes and thick, sturdy growth, and cut them into 10 cm-long cuttings, keeping 2 to 3 buds on each cutting. If taking cuttings in summer, it is best to use healthy semi-lignified branches of the current year, cut into cuttings. For rooting, the cuttings can be inserted into river sand, or into a nutrient soil mixed with river sand or plant ash; insert them to a depth of half or one-third of the cutting, at several points.
The above covers the preparation work for taking flowering maple cuttings. So how should you care for them after cutting, so that the flowering maple can grow strong and healthy? Don't worry, keep reading below with the editor.
Care Work After Taking Flowering Maple Cuttings
Water Thoroughly
After the flowering maple cuttings are inserted into the soil, water them thoroughly in good time, and keep the soil consistently moist throughout the subsequent growth process, but note that the amount of water should be sufficient yet not excessive; if there is standing water, drain it promptly.
Moderate Light
Flowering maple needs plenty of light to grow, but the summer sun is too strong, so flowering maple seedlings should be properly shaded, or moved to a semi-shady spot.
Apply Light Fertilizer
During its growing period, flowering maple has lower fertilizer requirements than other plants; applying a light fertilizer once or twice a month is enough. Never over-fertilize, lest it burn the roots and kill the flowering maple.
Prune Appropriately
About one month after cuttings are taken, flowering maple will take root, and after some further time, it will grow quite a few branches; at this point you can lightly trim their growing tips, which encourages more side branches, increases the light-exposed surface, and thereby expands the crown and promotes flowering.
Key Management Points for Propagating Flowering Maple by Cuttings
Because of the flowering maple's unusual flower shape, some gardening enthusiasts think flowering maple is toxic; in fact, flowering maple is not toxic at all and is a plant that can be grown with complete peace of mind. Flowering maple is easy to propagate, and can be arranged in flower borders and flower beds, or grown in pots, with excellent results.
Flowering Maple
Flowering maple is mainly propagated by cuttings, taken from June to August. Use healthy 1- to 2-year-old branches or semi-lignified young shoots of the current year as cuttings, 10 cm to 12 cm long, remove the lower leaves, insert into the soil to a depth of 1/2 or 1/3, and keep moist.
A 2-year-old flowering maple propagated by cuttings can reach a plant height of about 2 m, with a main stem diameter of 2 to 3 cm. The stem is grayish-green, and the stems of perennial plants are gray or grayish-brown. Its ability to sprout new shoots in spring is very strong; the branches sprout from the leaf axils, and the branches of the current year are emerald green, with a low degree of lignification and soft stems. Flowering maple has two kinds of leaves: one is ovate, 10 cm long, with a long petiole, and the entire petiole is uniform in thickness; the other is palmately shaped, 12 to 18 cm. The leaves are arranged in a whorled state, with 4 to 9 leaves per whorl. In places with good light or on robust plants, the leaves are generally palmately shaped; in places with poor light or on slightly weaker-growing plants, the leaves are ovate.