Detailed Explanation of Rapid Propagation Technology for Euonymus japonicus by Cuttage

Euonymus japonicus (evergreen euonymus) stays green all year round, has strong adaptability, and tolerates pruning extremely well. It is a good hedge material, easy to shape, and resistant to pollution, making it one of the indispensable evergreen tree species for urban greening in northern China. Its seedling rapid propagation technology is particularly important. Rapid propagation is mainly done by cuttage, using softwood cuttings, with a survival rate of over 96%.

1. Seedling facilities and cutting bed: Use bricks and cement to build a seedbed about 20 cm high and 1 m wide, fill it with 18 cm of substrate, with the lower layer of the substrate being 5-8 cm of coarse sand and the upper layer being fine sand. Install a water pipe at a height of 50 cm from the bed surface, and install one centrifugal or four-body nozzle every 1.5 m on the pipe for misting. Before cutting, disinfect the seedbed with a 0.3% potassium permanganate solution.

2. Material collection and treatment: From superior young mother plants of Euonymus japonicus, cut one-year-old semi-lignified or fully lignified branches from the middle and upper part of the canopy that are free of pests and diseases and grow vigorously. After the branches are collected, sprinkle water immediately to prevent water loss and wilting. The collection of cuttings is best combined with pruning, and the cut branches should be used as soon as they are collected. Cut the branches into 10-15 cm long sections; each cutting should have no fewer than 2-3 buds. Remove the basal leaves and retain 1-2 upper leaves. The upper cut of the cutting is made flat 0.5-1 cm above a bud, and the lower cut is made slanted 0.5 cm below a node or leaf petiole. The cuts should be smooth, with no damaged buds, no cracks, and no damage to the bark. After the cuttings are trimmed, bundle them by thickness grade and treat them promptly or insert them directly. The base of the cuttings can be quickly dipped in ABT rooting powder solution for 5-10 seconds to promote callus formation and rooting.

3. Cutting and cutting bed management: Euonymus japonicus can be propagated by cutting in all four seasons. Cuttings in spring, summer, and autumn require building a small arch shed, and summer cuttings also require building a shade shed above the small arch shed. Cuttings made in early March can be transplanted in the same year. Cuttings made from late September to late October should be transplanted early the following spring after the soil thaws.

Use the cuttings as soon as they are cut. Before insertion, they can be quickly dipped in indoleacetic acid solution, or inserted directly. The insertion depth is 2/3 of the cutting length, and the insertion density is 600-700 plants per sq m. After cutting, spray the substrate thoroughly with 800-1000 times diluted carbendazim solution for disinfection. After the seedbed is full, spray immediately. On sunny days, spray twice each in the morning and afternoon, and once every half hour at noon, each time for 5-10 minutes. In hot summer, increase the number of sprays as needed to lower the temperature. One week after cutting, callus tissue can form, and after about 20 days, 90% have produced new roots. After rooting, be careful to reduce the number and duration of sprays to prevent root rot; also spray 0.2%-0.3% urea or compound fertilizer for foliar feeding to promote vigorous growth of the cuttings.

4. Hardening off: Rooting begins 15-20 days after cutting. When the cuttings have formed a relatively complete and full root system, begin hardening off by gradually reducing the number of water sprays and increasing ventilation. After 10-15 days, gradually remove the plastic film, and after another 10-15 days, gradually remove the shade net for full-light hardening off. Continue to keep the seedlings in the bed for more than 20 days, then they can be transplanted and planted out. When transplanting, try to keep the root system intact and water immediately after planting to ensure survival after transplanting. With this method, Euonymus japonicus seedlings can be propagated by cutting 3 times a year, greatly shortening the seedling cycle and improving seedling quality.

In addition, when weeds grow densely on the bed surface, pull them out promptly. When the soil is too compacted, use a small shovel to gently loosen the soil in the gaps between rows, but not too deep, so as to avoid injuring the base of the cuttings and affecting root growth.