Technique for Propagating crabapple through Cutting
This article provides detailed explanations for netizens who are interested in flower propagation, specifically the technique for propagating crabapple through cutting. It is a valuable piece of knowledge, recommended for bookmarking!
crabapple is a deciduous shrub belonging to the蔷薇科, Chaenomeles genus. The flowering period is from March to May, with flowers appearing before or simultaneously with the leaves. Typically, 3 to 5 flowers cluster on 2-year-old short branches, with very short pedicels, giving the appearance of flowers adhering to the branches, hence the name crabapple.
I. Cutting Substrate
1. Sand Bed: The sand bed should be padded with a 12 to 15 cm thick layer of coal cinders or gravel, coarse sand as the water-permeable layer, and then covered with a 15 to 20 cm thick layer of fine river sand as the cutting substrate. Before cutting, the sand bed should be sprayed with water to achieve 40% saturation, then pressed and leveled. For use, a 0.1 to 1% potassium permanganate solution should be used for thorough sterilization.
2. Nutrient Bag Substrate: The nutrient bags measure 12 cm x 9 cm (with small holes for water permeability and ventilation on all sides), filled with clean river sand and sifted fertile garden soil, mixed in a 1:1 ratio, packed tight, and sterilized thoroughly with a 0.1% to 1% potassium permanganate solution.
II. Cutting Time and Selection of Cuttings Softwood cuttings are suitable for May to August, with June being the best month. The branches should be semi-woody, chosen from healthy, disease-free young parent plants. Select robust, full, and vigorous semi-woody branches as cuttings. To prevent moisture loss, it's best to cut the cuttings early in the morning and treat them with hormones immediately after cutting. The ideal cutting length is 10 to 15 cm, removing the lower leaves and retaining the upper leaves, with the lower cut close to the axillary bud. The cutting depth should be about 1/3 to 1/2.
III. Hormone Treatment Before cutting, treating crabapple cuttings with ABT rooting powder can significantly improve the survival rate. The method is: prepare a solution of ABT rooting powder according to the proportion, and then immerse the base of the cuttings in the solution for 8 to 24 hours.
IV. Temperature, Humidity, and Light Mastering the appropriate environmental humidity and root formation humidity is key to the success of softwood cutting propagation of crabapple. The relative air humidity should be between 85% to 95%, with a temperature of 20℃ to 28℃, preferably 25℃, and also suitable lighting conditions.
1. Controlling Humidity: After cutting, water thoroughly to make the cuttings adhere closely to the substrate. Use喷水 to increase air humidity, but the water volume should not be too high, especially avoiding water accumulation in the cutting substrate, which can lead to rotting of the lower end of the cuttings.喷水量 is generally 2 to 3 times a day, with 3 to 4 times during high temperatures.
2. Controlling Temperature: Set up shade nets to prevent direct sunlight and reduce temperature. Spraying water and ventilation can also be used as measures.
3. Adjusting Light: In the early stages of cutting, avoid direct strong sunlight to prevent excessive evaporation of moisture from the branches, which can cause leaf wilting or scalding, affecting root formation and growth. In the later stages, after the cuttings have rooted, it is necessary to increase light appropriately to promote photosynthesis and make the plants grow robustly.
V. Management after Rooting
1. Hardening off: After the cuttings have rooted, gradually increase light intensity and ventilation time to adapt them to the external environment.
2. Timely Transplanting: After the cuttings have survived, transplant them promptly. Post-transplanting, comprehensive management should be strengthened. Initially, use shading and watering measures, and after the seedlings have grown, manage budding, loosening the soil, and controlling pests and diseases.
This article shares the full content of the technique for propagating crabapple through cutting, hoping it is helpful for green plant enthusiasts!