How to Propagate Crown of Thorns by Cuttings? A Detailed Guide to the Propagation Method
Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii) is an ornamental flowering plant with high ornamental value, and it is distributed throughout our country. It is generally more common in public places such as parks and botanical gardens, and it is also very popular as a potted plant. When we grow Crown of Thorns, propagation work is very important. The propagation method commonly used for Crown of Thorns is cuttings, so how exactly should Crown of Thorns be propagated by cuttings? Below, the editor will give you a brief introduction. Let's take a look together!
1. Cutting Time
When propagating Crown of Thorns by cuttings, the first thing to pay attention to is the cutting time. Although Crown of Thorns can be propagated by cuttings in all four seasons, it is best to do it from April to June, because at this time temperature, humidity and other climatic factors are most suitable for Crown of Thorns. The survival rate of Crown of Thorns cuttings is also the highest at this time. If cuttings need to be taken in other seasons, then the temperature should be controlled within 15-30 degrees. Too high or too low a temperature will have a great impact on the growth of Crown of Thorns cuttings; too high can easily cause the cuttings to lose water and die, while too low means they cannot take root.
2. Cutting Medium
The choice of medium is also very important for the growth of Crown of Thorns. Although Crown of Thorns cuttings are not very strict about the medium, in order to increase their survival rate, we had best choose a sandy soil with strong permeability and sufficient fertility. For example, coarse river sand, garden soil and so on are all acceptable. Before cutting, we should also disinfect the soil, letting the soil be exposed to the sun to eliminate bacteria in the medium. This can also prevent the soil from being too sticky and heavy, which would affect the rooting of the cuttings. So everyone should pay a lot of attention when choosing a medium, aiming to improve the survival rate of the cuttings.
3. Branch Selection
After completing the preparatory work before cutting, we then need to select the Crown of Thorns cuttings. Mainly choose branches that are robust, wound-free and disease-free. Keep the branch length at about 10 cm, and each branch should keep about 3 leaf nodes. In this way, the survival rate of Crown of Thorns cuttings can be further improved. After cutting off the branch, use substances such as plant ash to coat the wound to avoid infection. Then apply rooting agent to the base, place it in a cool and ventilated place, and wait until the edge of the cutting wound is dry before carrying out the cutting.
4. Management After Cutting
After cutting, we should create a cool and ventilated environment for the cuttings. The cuttings must not be exposed to direct sunlight, and at the same time we should pay attention to controlling the amount of watering; appropriate spraying every day can maintain humidity. After about two weeks, the cuttings can grow fibrous roots and will gradually grow leaf buds. At this time, they can be appropriately transplanted, and then watered on the principle of seeing dry and seeing wet; the soil must not become waterlogged. After the cuttings have taken root, fertilizer should be applied appropriately, mainly by applying more frequently in small amounts.
The above is a brief introduction to how to propagate Crown of Thorns by cuttings. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and I hope it can help everyone!