How to propagate hybrid lily from cuttings
Main content introduction: Detailed knowledge about how to propagate hybrid lilies from cuttings and the specific steps involved in growing green plants and flowers. The following is an introduction for you.
Hybrid lilies are relatively expensive among the flowers we usually grow, with the complete plant often costing over a hundred or even several hundred yuan. Therefore, we usually buy a leaf of hybrid lily, propagate it ourselves through cuttings, and cultivate young seedlings to grow into large plants for flowering. So, how should hybrid lilies be propagated from cuttings? What methods can ensure rapid rooting, prevent infection, and improve survival rates? Today, Ayong will discuss the detailed propagation steps of hybrid lilies, focusing on several key details.
Propagation Time and Temperature
To propagate a flower, we must first find its season of vigorous growth and provide suitable environmental conditions to ensure the success and survival rates of propagation. So, when should hybrid lilies be propagated? What should the ambient temperature be controlled to?
Hybrid lily propagation is divided into two types: greenhouse propagation, which can be done all year round; and home propagation, which is best done from May to July. During this time, hybrid lilies are most vigorous, and after propagation, they easily take root and have higher survival rates.
The ideal temperature for propagation should be maintained between 10 to 20 degrees. If the temperature is too low, the vitality of the lily leaves will decrease, making it difficult to root; however, if the temperature is too high, it can easily lead to leaf rot. To balance both, keep the temperature between 10 to 20 degrees.
Using High-Quality Soil for Propagation
The survival rate of any plant propagation is directly related to the choice of soil. Hybrid lilies are succulent plants of the cactus family, and the ideal soil for propagation is a mix of specialized succulent nutrient soil and 1/3 coarse river sand. This soil is rich in nutrients, gentle, and has good water permeability and aeration, making it very suitable for hybrid lilies to root and sprout. Of course, if we want to prepare our own soil, we must remember that the particle soil content should not be less than 30%, preferably around 50%. Before propagating hybrid lilies, we should消毒 the propagation nutrient soil with a 0.01% potassium permanganate solution, which is the first detail we need to grasp. Disinfected nutrient soil can significantly reduce the probability of leaf incision infection, ensuring that the propagation is successful halfway.
Choosing 2-Year-Old Vigorous Leaves
To obtain a healthy and strong hybrid lily, the leaves used for propagation play a decisive role. New leaves have strong vitality but are not mature enough structurally and have poor resistance to the environment, making them prone to diseases and leaf rot when used for propagation. On the other hand, leaves that are too old become lignified, with reduced vitality and difficulty in rooting. Therefore, we must strike a balance and choose leaves that are about two years old. These leaves are at their peak of life, with strong resistance and vitality, performing exceptionally well in both rooting and disease resistance. However, Ayong wants to remind everyone that when selecting leaves, in addition to their age, you should also ensure that the leaves are free from any damage or signs of disease or pests. The healthier and stronger the leaves, the higher the survival rate of the propagation.
How to propagate hybrid lilies from cuttings
Drying and Treating the Leaf Cuttings
freshly cut hybrid lily leaves cannot be used for propagation immediately. If we propagate at this stage, there is a high probability of cutting rot leading to propagation failure. Therefore, before propagation, we must消毒 the leaves and cuttings of hybrid lilies.
After cutting the leaves, we should first soak the wounds in a 0.02% potassium permanganate solution or a diluted 500-fold solution of carbendazim for half an hour, then dry them in a shaded and well-ventilated area for about 10 days before starting propagation. The specific drying time depends on the local climate and environment. The judgment standard is when we see that the lily stems have retracted and a明显的 film has formed at the cut site.
Placing in Moist Soil (directly placed, not buried) and Transplanting after Rooting
Hybrid lilies have different rooting abilities and vitality depending on the variety. Some lilies can easily develop roots after leaf treatment, but some varieties are relatively delicate and require special propagation methods. For safety, we can use the special method described below for all hybrid lily leaves before propagation to ensure a higher survival rate.
This special method involves preparing disinfected propagation soil, then spraying some water on the soil to keep it moist. Next, dig a shallow hole in the soil surface and gently place the lily cuttings in it without burying them, allowing direct contact with the moist soil. Place them in a shaded and well-ventilated area and spray water mist around the leaves every three to five days until roots appear at the bottom of the lily leaves, then transplant them to the potting soil.
The main advantage of this method is that it avoids infection and病变 caused by the cuttings being buried in the soil, and because of the larger surface area exposed to air, the probability of root development is increased, making it easier to observe and address any signs of infection.
Post-Propagation Management
Following our method, once the hybrid lilies have rooted, we transplant them to the prepared soil. By this point, the survival of the lilies is basically guaranteed, but we still need to be careful with post-propagation care. So, how should we manage and care for the potted hybrid lilies after propagation?
One month after propagation, water less frequently, spray more, and do not fertilize
The newly propagated hybrid lilies are initially in an adaptation stage. Although they have developed roots, their vitality is still relatively weak. During this time, we should water less frequently and spray more, adding water when the potting soil is almost dry, and spray every 3 to 5 days in a well-ventilated environment. Do not fertilize during this period. Before the roots have fully grown, their ability to absorb fertilizer is poor, and excessive fertilization can easily burn the new roots, wasting all our efforts. However, we can add a little carbendazim solution and rooting hormone to the water when watering the lilies every week to help their roots grow faster and prevent bacterial infection.