How to Propagate Finger Citron? Detailed Guide to Common Propagation Methods

Finger citron is a plant that grows in the subtropics and prefers a warm, humid growing environment. Finger citron is both a Chinese medicinal herb and an ornamental plant, but it is usually encountered in the form of Chinese medicine. Because its appearance is very unusual, some people also grow it as an ornamental plant, and in recent years more and more people have been cultivating finger citron. So below, Shuashuai will introduce how to propagate finger citron!

There are many propagation methods for finger citron, including cuttings, grafting and others. Below, each one will be explained in turn.

I. Propagation by Cuttings

1. Preparation for Cuttings

First, select several good branches with relatively strong growth and few pests and diseases. Remove the leaves and the tender shoot tips from the branches, leaving only simple cuttings. The survival rate of propagation by cuttings is generally above 90 percent, and the seedlings can also grow relatively well.

2. Land Preparation

The seedbed for planting should be sandy soil with a thick soil layer. Choosing this kind of soil is very helpful for taking out the seedlings later. First increase the fertility of the land; splashing on human and livestock manure water is acceptable. Then the next step is making the beds.

3. Planting Season

The planting season is chosen in February or March, or in autumn in August or September. Cuttings taken in autumn are the best, but if autumn is chosen, the cuttings can take root in the same year, and then sprout the following year.

4. Taking Cuttings

When taking cuttings, the first thing to do is open horizontal trenches on the beds, keeping the distance between trenches at about 25 cm. Then, after calculating the plant spacing, insert them directly into the trenches. Note that they absolutely must not be inserted upside down. After inserting, press the soil firm.

5. Seedling Stage Management

After insertion, water regularly, then do a good job of shading. During periods of heavy rain, drain water in time, and do a good job of weeding. After about one year of cultivation, they can be transplanted.

II. Propagation by Grafting

1. Cultivation

Grafting can use the approach grafting method or the cleft side grafting method. The specific steps of the two methods can be searched online. During cultivation, it should be determined according to the age of the tree and whether its growth is good or poor. In the first three years, apply quick-acting organic fertilizer. After entering the full fruit stage, topdressing can be done three times a year. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizer or compound fertilizer can be applied during the young fruit stage and the fruit harvesting stage.

2. Land Preparation and Field Planting

Field planting can be carried out in spring and autumn. Because the temperature rises again in February, this is relatively good for the sprouting of new buds. First deal with the drainage ditches around the area, then dig holes according to a plant and row spacing of 3 m. After the holes are dug, carry out field planting on each hole.

3. Field Management

Each year, carry out intertillage and weeding. Topdressing is done in three applications. The first is spring fertilizer, topdressing once before finger citron buds appear. Then topdress around the summer solstice. The last topdressing is in October to November. Winter topdressing is the most important.

4. Orchard Cleaning

Because there are a great many fallen leaves and leftover branches in winter, we need to sweep and clean them up. Diseased branches and diseased leaves should be cleaned up frequently to prevent the source of disease from infecting again.

The above is how to propagate finger citron. The editor suggests choosing propagation by cuttings. Compared with grafting, the survival rate of propagation by cuttings is much higher, and field management is also somewhat more convenient. I hope this article can help everyone. To learn more information related to finger citron, please continue to follow Qinnong Web!