Method of Propagation for Acer truncatum
Main content introduction: This article introduces the propagation of Acer truncatum, focusing on the methods used. Next, the editor will provide an introduction.
Acer truncatum has an elegant posture and beautiful trunk bark, yellow-green flowers in spring, and red leaves in autumn, making it a good species for landscaping and ornamental leaf trees. It is suitable for use as a street tree, shade tree, or as an accent in lawns.
There are three common propagation methods:
(I) Seed Propagation
Seed Selection: Before sowing, seeds must be selected carefully, as the quality of the seeds directly affects the success of the sowing. It is best to use seeds harvested in the current year. The longer seeds are stored, the lower their germination rate.
Disinfection: Disinfection involves two concepts, one is to disinfect the seeds, and the other is to disinfect the sowing matrix. At home, seeds are often disinfected by soaking them in water at around 60℃ for 15 minutes, followed by germination induction in warm water for 12 to 24 hours. For disinfecting the sowing matrix, the best method is to heat it in a pot until it is hot enough to kill any pests or diseases.
Germination Induction: Soak seeds in warm water (about the temperature of facial wash water) for 12 to 24 hours until the seeds absorb water and swell. For seeds that germinate easily, this step can be omitted.
Sowing: For tiny seeds that are difficult to handle by hand or other tools, a toothpick can be moistened with water to pick up and place the seeds one by one on the surface of the matrix, then cover the matrix with 1 cm of soil. Place the sown pot in water with a depth of 1/2 to 2/3 of the pot's height, allowing the water to slowly rise (this method is called "pot immersion"). For larger seeds that can be handled by hand or other tools, place the seeds directly into the matrix with a spacing of 3×5 cm. After sowing, cover with soil, twice to three times the thickness of the seed. After sowing, use a spray bottle or fine-mist sprinkler to moisten the sowing matrix, and water again when the soil is slightly dry, being careful not to apply too much force to avoid washing the seeds away.
(II) Cutting Propagation
Usually carried out at the end of spring to the beginning of autumn using the current year's branches for softwood cuttings, or at the beginning of spring using last year's branches for hardwood cuttings.
Cutting Matrix: This refers to the nutrient soil or river sand, peat soil, etc., used for cuttings. Due to limited conditions at home, it is recommended to use pre-prepared and disinfected cutting matrices. Coarse river sand can also be used, but it should be washed several times with clean water before use. Do not use sea sand or river sand from saline-alkali areas, as they are not suitable for the growth of flowering plants.
Selection of Cutting Branches: For softwood cuttings, select robust branches from the end of spring to early autumn when the plant is growing vigorously. Cut the branches into segments 5 to 15 cm long, each with more than 3 leaf nodes. When taking cuttings, the upper cut should be flat, about 1 cm above the top leaf node, and the lower cut should be diagonal, about 0.5 cm below the bottom leaf node. Both cuts should be smooth (using a sharp knife). For hardwood cuttings, select robust branches from the previous year after the temperature rises in early spring. Each cutting usually retains 3 to 4 nodes, cut in the same way as softwood cuttings.
(III) Layering Propagation
Select a robust branch, and strip the bark in a circle about 15 to 30 cm below the tip, with a wound width of about 1 cm and depth just enough to remove the epidermis. Cut a piece of film measuring 10 to 20 cm long and 5 to 8 cm wide, place some moist garden soil on it, wrap the ring-stripped part like bandaging a wound, and tie the ends of the film tightly, leaving the middle bulging. After about four to six weeks, roots will form. Cut the branch with the roots, and you will have a new plant.
Transplanting: When transplanting seedlings, dig a planting hole first, and sprinkle a layer of organic fertilizer as a base fertilizer (about 4 to 6 cm thick) at the bottom of the hole. Then cover it with soil and place the seedling in the hole, separating the fertilizer from the roots to avoid root burn. After placing the seedling, backfill the soil to cover the roots, press the soil down with your feet, and water thoroughly.
The above is the detailed content on the propagation methods of Acer truncatum, hoping it can be of help to you!