Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum cutting propagation methods and technical key points

Growing Techniques Jan 1, 1970 0 views

Choose well-drained, fertile field soil. For branch selection, choose well-developed, plump branches from vigorous mother plants. You can choose softwood or hardwood cuttings. Keep 1-2 leaves on the branch, then trim it, insert one-half or one-third of the branch into the soil, then water thoroughly, seal with plastic film, then provide appropriate light and air. After about 20 days, small roots will sprout and leaves will emerge. At this point, the film can be removed and transplanting can be carried out.

Propagation methods of Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum

Seed propagation of Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum

Sowing Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum in spring and summer gives a very high germination rate, and it will germinate about 25 days after sowing. For autumn and winter sowing, it can be done from November to December; for spring sowing, early March can be chosen. Before sowing, it is best to soak the seeds in water for 1-2 days, or they can be soaked in gibberellin. When sowing, also choose well-drained, loose sandy loam, then sow in spots, cover with loess, and it can bloom after 2-3 years of growth.

Cutting propagation of Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum

Grafting propagation of Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum

Cut grafting

Cut grafting is best done in spring and autumn. Likewise, choose plump branches, and choose the flat side as the long cut surface. After cutting, wrap and tie with strip film, then put a plastic bag over the upper part of the scion to isolate it from dry air, improve the grafting survival rate, and extend the grafting period.

Bud grafting

The bud grafting method is generally carried out in summer and autumn. At the selected bud-grafting site, pry open the bark, and on the scion branch cut off the leaf below the bud while keeping the petiole, then cut the bud into a bud piece, insert it into the incision. After 7-8 days it will approximately have taken. At this time, pay attention to drainage and carry out appropriate fertilization. As needed, pinching and shaping can also be carried out.

Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum cutting techniques and cultivation methods of Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum

Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum is also known as Hongjimu, Hongzhimu, Hongjihua, etc. It is an evergreen shrub or small tree of the genus Loropetalum in the family Hamamelidaceae. Its bark is dark gray or light gray-brown, its leaves are leathery and alternate, its branches are dense and leaves lush, its form is graceful, it tolerates pruning and tolerates wiring. It can be used for hedges and can also be used to make stump bonsai. When it blooms, the whole tree is full of red flowers, which is extremely spectacular. Now let us take a look at the cultivation methods of Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum!

Growth habits of Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum

Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum is mainly distributed in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and areas to the south. It is also distributed in northern India and is produced in Liuyang City and Changsha County in Hunan, and Suzhou, Wuxi, Yixing, Liyang, Jurong and other places in Jiangsu. It likes light and is slightly shade-tolerant, but in shade the leaf color easily turns green. It has strong adaptability and is drought-tolerant. It likes warmth and is cold-tolerant. Its sprouting ability and branching ability are strong, and it tolerates pruning. It tolerates barren soil, but is suitable for growing in fertile, moist, slightly acidic soil.

Propagation methods of Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum

1. Grafting: Grafting mainly uses 2 methods, cut grafting and bud grafting, and can be carried out from February to October. Cut grafting is best carried out before spring germination, while bud grafting is suitable in September to October. Using medium and small plants of white Loropetalum as rootstock for multi-head grafting, strengthening water and fertilizer and pruning management, they can leave the nursery within 1 year.

2. Cuttings: Cuttings can be carried out from March to September. Choose loose loess as the cutting substrate, ensure the cutting substrate is air-permeable and water-permeable and has relatively high air humidity, keep it warm but avoid direct sunlight, and at the same time pay attention to ventilation and air permeability in the cutting environment. Under warm and humid conditions, the cuttings form red callus in 20-25 days, and after 1 month grow 3-9 new roots 0.1 cm thick and 1-6 cm long.

3. Sowing: Sowing in spring and summer gives a high seed germination rate. It germinates about 25 days after sowing, and in 1 year can grow to 6-20 cm tall and produce 3-6 branches. The new roots of seedlings are red and fleshy. In the early stage, careful management is required until the root system becomes woody and turns brown, only then can extensive management be adopted. Because sexual propagation has a long seedling stage, slow growth, and may produce white Loropetalum seedlings (atavism), it is generally not used for nursery stock production, but is used for breeding research on Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum.

Cultivation and management of Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum

1. Fertilization: Before transplanting Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum, choose base fertilizer mainly composed of decomposed organic fertilizer, combine it with broadcast application or hole application of compound fertilizer, and be careful to mix it thoroughly to avoid root damage. During the growing season, use a neutral foliar fertilizer diluted 800-1000 times for foliar topdressing, spraying 2-3 times per month to promote new shoot growth.

2. Watering: In the plum rain season in the south, Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum should be kept well drained. In hot and dry seasons, ensure watering once in the morning and once in the evening, and combine with water spraying at noon to lower the temperature. In northern regions, because the soil and air are dry, water must be given promptly to keep the soil moist. In autumn and winter and early spring, pay attention to spraying water to keep the leaf surface clean and moist.

3. Pruning: Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum has the characteristics of strong sprouting ability and tolerance to pruning. Carry out light and moderate pruning in growing seasons such as early spring and early autumn, and with normal water and fertilizer management, it can bloom after about 1 month, with a concentrated flowering period. This method can promote new branches and new leaves, make the tree form more beautiful, prolong the red leaf period, and can promote and control the flowering period. It is especially suitable for Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum bonsai participating in flower exhibitions and trade fairs, can enhance the exhibition effect, and promote product sales.

4. Shaping

(1) Artificial spherical form: Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum is extremely tolerant to pruning and wiring shaping, and the tree form mostly uses the artificial spherical form. During the growing season, remove the mature leaves and branch tips of Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum, and after normal management for about 10 days it can again send out young shoots and grow bright red new leaves.

(2) Natural clumping form: Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum has strong sprouting ability and strong branching ability, and can naturally grow into a clumping form.

(3) Single-trunk round-headed form: Choose one thick, strong branch and cultivate it into the main trunk, remove the other branches, and when the main trunk reaches above the set height, determine the trunk, then choose one vigorous, upright, upward-growing branch on it as the extension branch of the main trunk, that is, cultivate it as the central leader. Afterward, on the central leader select and retain 4-5 strong main branches evenly arranged around it, with the branches distributed in a staggered way above and below.

Cultivation methods of Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum

1. Specimen planting: Choose a plant with a tall and full plant form and plant it alone in an important position or at a focal point of sight, such as near an entrance, in a courtyard or lawn, forming a landscape on its own, and pay attention to strong contrast with the surrounding landscape to achieve the effect of "a touch of red among ten thousand greens," and it can play the role of the central viewpoint of the landscape or guiding the line of sight.

2. Group planting: Plant Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum balls and other plants in groups dotted in garden green spaces, which not only enriches the landscape color but also enlivens the garden atmosphere. If planted in groups with green tree species, all can play a role of adding brilliance to what is already beautiful. Using Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum balls as the main tree species and planting them in groups and patches forms a scenic forest. Its unique leaf color and posture are beautiful throughout the four seasons, and its beautification effect is far better than a pure green scenic forest.

3. Mass planting: Use 1-year-old small seedlings of Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum to plant densely in green spaces to form color blocks. They can be paired with golden privet, spring azalea, summer azalea, golden-leaved elm, golden-edged boxwood, etc., which can not only form color contrast through leaf color contrast, but also stagger the flowering periods. For this type of use, it is advisable to choose the Touguhong series.

4. Spherical form: Prune Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum into spherical shapes and arrange them in green belts. They are mainly divided into two types: rough balls and fine balls. Rough balls are mainly formed after 1-3 years of pruning and shaping, and are mainly used in large green spaces with relatively extensive management. Fine balls require at least 3 years of pruning and shaping, and are mainly used in exquisite gardens such as villa courtyards. For this type of use, it is advisable to choose the Touguhong series.

5. Colored hedge: Plant Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum densely to form a colored hedge to enclose and divide space. The specifications of the nursery stock should be selected according to the specific use of the colored hedge. For example, in green spaces, a 70-80 cm colored hedge can be chosen to divide space, while colored hedges higher than 2 m are mostly used on the outer periphery of green spaces to serve as a green wall.

6. Colored sculpture: Directionally cultivate or shape Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum into green sculptures such as animals and geometric shapes, and place them in green spaces as garden ornaments. For this type of use, it is advisable to choose the Touguhong series.

7. Stump landscape: Using the characteristics of the Shuangmianhong type of Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum, such as fast growth, large leaves, and sparse branches, directionally cultivate it into a large stump landscape for greening in high-end gardens, and it can also be used as the focal point of a flower bed for landscaping.

8. Street trees: Through pruning control, cultivate Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum into a small colored-leaf tree, or cultivate it by grafting onto white Loropetalum. It is mostly used as street trees in residential communities. For this type of use, it is advisable to choose the Touguhong series.