How to Propagate Wax Apple by Cuttings? Detailed Technical Points

Wax apple is a relatively popular fruit; its fruit has high nutritional value and can also be used medicinally. Propagating wax apple by cuttings not only saves labor and materials but also gives a high propagation rate. So how should wax apple be propagated by cuttings? Let's take a detailed look together.

1. Seedbed preparation

For the cutting propagation site, choose a plot with flat terrain and good drainage. If raising seedlings in summer and autumn, when light intensity is high, add a shade net to reduce strong light exposure and lower the temperature. For the cutting soil, mix garden soil and sawdust at 2:1, which can ensure the soil's moisture, humidity and permeability, thus improving the cutting survival rate. If the soil has poor drainage and aeration, it is unfavorable for root growth and can very easily cause root rot, so before cutting, water thoroughly once first, then disinfect with carbendazim.

2. Cutting preparation

Choose branches of the current year, semi-lignified, growing vigorously, free of pests and diseases, and undamaged as cuttings. Cut them into several segments, each 20-25 cm long, retain 2-3 leaves at the upper end, and cut the lower end into a wedge shape. After trimming, to promote rooting, carry out timely chemical treatment. You can choose to soak them with a rooting powder agent; generally the soaking depth is half or one third of the cutting, and soaking for 3-5 minutes is enough.

3. Cutting method

After the cuttings have been soaked in the rooting powder agent, they can be inserted into the prepared seedbed. The insertion depth should be such that the terminal bud is 1 cm above the ground. To make full use of the seedbed, plant suitably densely; the cutting density should be such that the leaves between cuttings do not shade each other. After inserting, press the soil with your hands so that the roots and soil are closely connected, which helps the roots absorb nutrients better after rooting. During the cutting period, keep the leaves moist as much as possible.

4. Nursery management

At 1-2 days after cutting, leaf respiration is weak and water evaporation is low, so watering frequency can be less. At 3 days after cutting, leaf respiration increases and water evaporation is greater, so the amount of spraying can be appropriately increased. When 10 days after cutting, the cuttings begin to root, so adjust the spraying time and frequency according to air temperature and light intensity. On the third day and the seventh day after cutting, spray foliar fertilizer once each time to promote leaf physiological functions, promote wound healing and induce root production and development, and improve the survival rate. After the cuttings survive, when new shoots grow to 0.5-1 cm, they can be transplanted. When transplanting, transplant at a spacing of 20 cm x 20 cm. After transplanting, water and shade them, then gradually increase the amount of light so they slowly adapt.

The above is an introduction to wax apple cutting propagation technique. We hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.