Osmanthus cutting time and methods
As one of the top ten famous traditional Chinese flowers, osmanthus is deeply loved for its rich fragrance and auspicious meaning. Mastering the scientific cutting techniques of osmanthus can not only improve the propagation efficiency but also preserve the quality characteristics of the mother plant. This article will systematically analyze the key points of the cutting process from the best timing selection to the operational details.
Analysis of the golden time for osmanthus cutting
1.1 Temperature-dominated seasonal selection
The plum rain season from May to July and the cool autumn period from September to October form a dual-window period, with a stable day-night temperature difference of 18-28°C. Experimental data show that when the substrate temperature is maintained at 25±2°C, the root growth rate of cuttings can be increased by 40%.
1.2 Phenological feature judgment method
Observe the semi-lignification characteristics of new shoots: the branch epidermis changes from green to brown but is not fully hardened, at this time, the cambium cells of the phloem are active, and the callus formation rate after cutting is the fastest.
Technical specifications for the full process of osmanthus cutting
2.1 Scientific substrate proportioning
Use a composite matrix of perlite:vermiculite:decomposed leaf soil = 3:2:5, adjust the pH value to 5.5-6.3. It needs to be sterilized with steam for 30 minutes before use to kill pathogenic bacteria while retaining beneficial microorganisms.
2.2 Optimization of cutting treatment
Select strong branches with a diameter of 5-8mm, retain 2 pairs of complete leaves and remove half of the leaf area. After making an oblique cut at the base, soak in a 1000ppm naphthylactic acid solution, which can increase the root germination amount by up to 78%.
2.3 Intelligent environmental control
Build a high-humidity small arch shed, maintain 85%-90% air humidity. Use a sunshade net to control the light intensity to 10000-15000lux and spray 3 times a day to keep the leaf surface moist but without积水.
2.4 Key period of root care
The 15-25th day is the outbreak period of callus, apply 0.1% phosphorus acid二hydrogen potassium foliar fertilizer every week. When the new roots grow to 3cm, gradually uncover the film for seedling exercise, maintaining about 60% moisture content in the matrix during the transition period.
Through systematic management of osmanthus cutting, complete roots can usually be formed within 30-45 days. Comparative tests show that standardized operations can increase the survival rate from the conventional 50% to over 85%, and the flowering time of new plants is 2-3 years earlier than that of seedlings. It is recommended to slightly adjust the timing according to local climatic characteristics and establish a cutting log to record temperature and humidity changes, gradually forming an individualized seedling raising system.