Sandalwood, scientific name Santalum album, is a precious aromatic plant. Its wood has a strong fragrance and is often used in the making of high-end furniture and crafts. Sandalwood also has high medicinal value. Due to its unique value and beautiful ornamental qualities, sandalwood is highly favored in the gardening market. How to effectively propagate sandalwood? This article will introduce the propagation methods of sandalwood in detail.
Seeding propagation1. Seed collection and treatment
The collection of sandalwood seeds should be done after the fruits mature. The collected seeds should be promptly stored in sand to prevent them from losing their germination ability. The sand storage temperature is generally controlled between 5-10°C, with humidity maintained at 60%-70%.
2. Seed sowing
Before sowing, the seeds stored in sand should be soaked in warm water for 24 hours, then disinfected. The disinfection method can be done by soaking in a 1% potassium permanganate solution for 30 minutes. After disinfection, spread the seeds evenly on the prepared seedbeds and cover them with about 1 cm of soil.
3. Management and maintenance
After sowing, keep the soil moist and control the temperature between 20-25°C. Once the seeds germinate, it is necessary to promptly carry out thinning, weeding, and fertilizing. The germination rate of sandalwood seeds is relatively high, usually germinating 20-30 days after sowing.
Cutting propagation1. Cutting time
Sandalwood cutting propagation is generally carried out in spring when the temperature is suitable, and the survival rate of cuttings is higher.
2. Cutting materials
Select healthy and disease-free sandalwood branches as cutting materials, with a length of 15-20 cm, retaining 2-3 nodes when cutting.
3. Cutting method
Trim the lower end of the cut branches into a wedge shape and the upper end into a slant. Soak the lower end of the cutting branches in a rooting hormone for about 5 cm to increase the survival rate of cuttings. Insert the treated branches into the prepared cutting beds, with a depth of about 3-5 cm.
4. Management and maintenance
After cutting, keep the soil moist and control the temperature between 20-25°C. When the cut branches take root, gradually increase the light exposure time to promote seedling growth.
Grafting propagation1. Grafting time
Sandalwood grafting propagation is generally carried out in spring when the temperature is suitable, and the survival rate of grafting is higher.
2. Grafting method
Select healthy and disease-free sandalwood branches as scions, cut into a wedge shape. Choose a vigorous and disease-free sandalwood plant as the rootstock, cut into a slant, insert the scion into the slant of the rootstock, and secure it with grafting film.
3. Management and maintenance
After grafting, keep the soil moist and control the temperature between 20-25°C. When the grafted branches survive, gradually increase the light exposure time to promote seedling growth.
The propagation methods of sandalwood mainly include seeding, cutting, and grafting. Mastering these propagation techniques helps to improve the survival rate of sandalwood propagation, making sandalwood more competitive in the gardening market. In practice, the following points should also be noted:
1. Select high-quality propagation materials to improve the survival rate of propagation;
2. Pay attention to environmental factors such as temperature and humidity during the propagation process, providing good conditions for sandalwood growth;
3. Strengthen management after propagation to ensure the healthy growth of sandalwood.
References:
[1] Zhang Xiaofang, Liu Wei, Yang Jianping. Research on Sandalwood Propagation Techniques [J]. Forestry Science, 2015, 51(4): 72-76.
[2] Wang Fang, Liu Junping, Zhang Xiaofang. Research on Sandalwood Cutting Propagation Techniques [J]. Plant Physiology Communications, 2016, 52(3): 432-436.