Complete Guide to the Timing and Methods of Propagating Chinese Evergreen by Cuttings
Chinese evergreen can be propagated into young plants not only by sowing seeds and division, but also by means of cuttings. By comparison, propagating Chinese evergreen by cuttings is simpler and less troublesome than sowing seeds, yet it is not as cruel as division, which easily causes wounds. Therefore, using the cutting method to propagate young Chinese evergreen plants is often more convenient and practical. So, when should Chinese evergreen be propagated by cuttings?
If you want to propagate young Chinese evergreen plants by means of cuttings, we first need to choose an appropriate time to take the cuttings. The suitable period for propagating Chinese evergreen by cuttings is generally spring, mostly carried out during April-May. This is because the temperature in spring is relatively suitable, and cuttings are quite favorable for the plant to root and grow quickly. But if the summer temperature is relatively stable and suitable, cuttings can also be taken. Below, the editor will share with you the cutting method for Chinese evergreen.
1. Cutting the cuttings
To take cuttings, cuttings are of course indispensable. So, we first need to prepare the cuttings. Usually, in a suitable temperature environment, cut a robust young stem of about 12-15 cm in length from a mature potted Chinese evergreen plant as the cutting, and it is advisable to keep 2 leaves on the cutting. Then set the cutting aside to let the wound dry.
2. The cutting process
The cutting process for Chinese evergreen is relatively simple. First prepare moist, loose nutrient soil as the cutting bed; plain sandy soil can be used. Then insert the prepared cutting, whose wound has dried, into the nutrient soil.
3. Care and cultivation
After completing the cutting, place it in a cool, ventilated spot, and do a good job of care and management to better cultivate the cutting. During this period, the main tasks are shading and moisture retention. As long as management is proper, rooting and sprouting generally appear in about 1 month, and then you can choose an appropriate time to transplant it into a pot.
It should be noted that the care and management during the seedling cultivation period must be done thoroughly. Because Chinese evergreen is shade-tolerant, to avoid the cutting losing a large amount of water through evaporation, causing excessive water loss and drying up to death, it is necessary to avoid direct sunlight. Only after the cutting sprouts should it be placed in a bright spot for care.
The ambient temperature suitable for the growth of Chinese evergreen should be kept between 20-30°C, so it has the characteristic of liking warmth. Chinese evergreen is not cold-tolerant, and the growing environment temperature must be ensured to be no lower than 12°C for it to overwinter. Moreover, once the plant is frozen, it is prone to yellowing leaves, frozen and dead terminal buds, and plant wilting.
Management of water and fertilizer is also very important. Considering that Chinese evergreen likes moisture, during the growing period from March to August, watering can be appropriately increased, and after summer arrives, more spraying should be done to retain moisture and lower the temperature; in addition, besides applying an appropriate amount of nitrogen fertilizer monthly during the growing period to promote growth, during March to August a dilute liquid fertilizer can be applied once every 2 weeks, while after autumn arrives, water and fertilizer must be strictly controlled.