How to propagate Rohdea japonica? Introduction to common propagation methods

How to propagate Rohdea japonica? Propagation of Rohdea japonica is relatively simple; it can be propagated by sowing, division, and cuttings, though division is relatively more commonly used.

1. Division propagation

Although Rohdea japonica can be propagated by sowing, due to the limitation of seeds, division is generally used for propagation. Division propagation of Rohdea japonica can be carried out in spring and autumn, but it is generally done in spring along with repotting.

Division of Rohdea japonica mainly means dividing the clustered plants into rooted sections, which are then planted separately. Specifically, use a sharp knife to cut apart the connection points of the clump, making sure each division has at least 4 new shoots. After the wounds dry, plant them separately, place them in a shaded spot, and water thoroughly 1-2 days later. Generally, division can be done once every 3 years.

This can be done along with repotting every spring; when dividing, knock the plant out of the pot and cut it apart from the base into several sections. The cuts must be smooth, and plant ash or charcoal powder should be applied, then repot. After division, the first watering should be thorough, and the plant should be placed in a cool, shaded spot; afterward, keep it consistently moist but not overly wet. The transplanted clumps need only careful management and can grow into flowering plants the same year.

2. Cutting propagation of Rohdea japonica

It can be divided into softwood cuttings and hardwood cuttings.

Softwood cuttings are taken during the plum rain season in June-July; hardwood cuttings can be taken between March and April of the following year.

For softwood cuttings, select robust current-year branches and cut cuttings from the top downward, taking a 15 cm section; the lower cut should be made 0.5 cm below a node, and the lower cut should be made 0.5 cm below a node. The cut should be smooth; keep the top leaves and remove the lower leaves. If greenhouse conditions are available, cuttings can be inserted in a cutting bed; for home flower growing, they can be inserted in pots. The medium can be a mix of vermiculite and perlite (1:1), or a medium mixed with garden soil plus rice husk ash and an appropriate amount of fine river sand.

The cutting depth is generally about 1/3 of the cutting length. Press the base firmly with your fingers so that the base of the cutting is in close contact with the medium. After inserting the cutting, spray with a fine watering can until thoroughly watered, then place in a shaded spot; afterward keep it consistently moist, with relative humidity around 80%, and at a temperature of 20-25°C, roots will begin to develop successively after 20-30 days.

Hardwood cuttings can be taken between March and April; use strong second-year branches, cut them into sections about 15 cm long, and make the lower cut 0.5 cm below a node. Both the section with top leaves and the stem sections below can be used as cuttings; the lower part of the cutting should have its leaves removed. The cutting method is the same as for softwood cuttings. After watering thoroughly, place in a shaded spot and keep it consistently moist; roots will begin to develop successively in about 1 month.

You can also cut a 15 cm section of the terminal stem, keep 3-5 leaves at the top, and insert it directly into clean water, changing the water once every 2 days; it can likewise develop roots from the nodes. When taking cuttings, never let the sap splash into your eyes or get into your mouth, to avoid poisoning or injury. Water propagation also roots easily.

3. Seed propagation

After flowering, Rohdea japonica can produce red berries; once the berries ripen and are harvested, seed propagation can be carried out. Seed propagation is generally done between March and April. After sowing, pay attention to controlling temperature, light, and pot soil moisture; once the seedlings grow to 3-4 leaves, they can be planted separately in pots. If the temperature is kept at 20-30°C, Rohdea japonica seeds can germinate in about one month. In addition, after watering Rohdea japonica, place it temporarily in a shaded spot.