A Detailed Explanation of the Propagation Methods and Key Technical Points for Vitex Fruit

Vitex fruit is the fruit of the Vitex plant (Vitex trifolia) and has high medicinal value. It is mainly distributed along water edges and is grown on a fairly large scale in China's coastal provinces. Vitex fruit can be used by anyone except those with a weak stomach and poor constitution. It has effects such as dispersing wind with its pungent nature and clearing heat with its slightly cold nature. So how should we propagate it when cultivating Vitex fruit? Below, the editor brings you the propagation methods for Vitex fruit. Let's take a look!

1. Cutting propagation

The time for cutting propagation of Vitex fruit is generally in spring and autumn, but spring is usually preferred. First, select robust 1-2 year old branches and cut them into cuttings of about 25 cm, keeping about 3 nodes on each cutting. When cutting the cuttings, be careful to make a clean cut in one stroke to ensure the cut surface is smooth and promote healing of the cut. A suitable amount of rooting agent can also be applied to the cut to increase the rooting rate. Then control the plant and row spacing and insert the cuttings into the seedbed, water and fertilize reasonably, and keep the soil moist. Cuttings made in spring can be transplanted in autumn of the same year under normal management.

2. Seed propagation

For seed propagation, seeds need to be harvested every autumn, mixed into moist sand, and stored in a cool, ventilated place. Sowing is generally carried out around Qingming Festival each year. First, the seeds need to be taken out of the fruit and soaked in warm water at about 38 degrees for about 24 hours. Then mix them with plant ash to increase the germination rate. Sow at the right time, mainly by drilling, and control the sowing rate to prevent overly dense planting. During the seedling stage, manage water and fertilizer well to improve the survival rate of the seedlings. Generally, when the seedlings grow to about 35 cm, they are planted out.

3. Layering propagation

Layering propagation is also a commonly used propagation method for Vitex fruit. The layering time is usually around May each year. As with cutting propagation, first select robust 1-2 year old branches. If the branch is relatively long, one branch can be layered multiple times, burying it in the soil 16 cm at intervals of about 45 cm. However, before layering, girdle the layering site, ringing down to the xylem of the branch, and apply rooting agent to promote rooting. After burying it in the soil, water thoroughly and press the soil firmly to prevent air leakage. After adventitious roots grow, it can be cut off to form an independent plant and transplanted for planting out.

4. Division propagation

Although division propagation is not commonly used for growing Vitex fruit, it still counts as a propagation method. If division propagation is used, it is generally carried out around April to July each year. First, we should choose a robustly growing plant with no pests or diseases and a well-developed root mass as the mother plant. Then dig out the entire plant and evenly divide it into 3-4 clumps according to the distribution of the roots. Be careful to plant as you dig, otherwise nutrients are easily lost and the whole plant may die. Planting out is generally carried out in spring and autumn, with good control of plant and row spacing, sufficient base fertilizer, then watering and pressing the soil.

The above is a brief introduction to the propagation methods for Vitex fruit. In production, Vitex fruit is generally propagated mainly by cuttings, because cutting propagation has a high survival rate, is simple to operate, and is suitable for large-scale planting. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only. We hope it can help everyone!