How to propagate Podocarpus? Tutorial on cutting propagation techniques of Podocarpus

Podocarpus is a small ornamental tree, a very special species. What do you need to know if you want to grow Podocarpus well? Let's take a look at the propagation method of Podocarpus .

How to propagate Podocarpus

Podocarpus has a very high ornamental value. It is often used as a landscape tree for roads and courtyards. It can also be used as medicine, and can also be used to make furniture, utensils, stationery, farm tools and other daily necessities. With so many uses for Podocarpus, do you know how to propagate it? If you want to know more, you may wish to follow the editor to have a look.

Podocarpus cuttings

How to propagate Podocarpus by cuttings

Podocarpus is generally propagated by cuttings , but it can also be propagated by sowing. However, the growth rate of sowing is too slow and does not conform to the current economic laws, so it is generally propagated by cuttings. The following are the main steps for the propagation of Podocarpus by cuttings:

1. Selection of cuttings :

1. Cut branches : Cut 10 cm young branches (note that young branches are one-year-old semi-woody branches with obvious branches below);

2. Cut off the old trunk of 15 cm high (that is, the hard branch. This has not been tested before. Give it a try. Leave a complete side branch on it as the head. The thickness of this hard branch is 1-2.5 cm. If this test is successful, try a thicker trunk for cuttings next time);

3. There is also a cut at the top of the thick branch. In order to seal the cut above the cutting, you can apply ointment (erythromycin is fine) and remove the lower two-thirds of the leaves of the branch to reduce the evaporation of water from the branch before rooting (you can also use scissors to cut, but be careful not to damage the bark);

4. Use a sharp knife to trim the lower end of the selected branch into a smooth horseshoe shape, and trim both sides into the shape shown in the following figure (a) (if conditions permit, it is better to disinfect the knife). After the branch processing is completed, soak it in water mixed with rooting powder and carbendazim for two hours (the purpose is to increase the water content of the branch, there must be enough water to maintain the rooting of the cuttings, and at the same time kill harmful bacteria and promote the rooting of the cuttings), then pick it up and place it in a clean, shady place to air dry for an hour.

Podocarpus cuttings diagram (I)

2. Cutting:

1. Cutting medium : coarse river sand, it is best to disinfect it with medicine or expose it to the sun for a few days. I use the sun to expose it to ensure that the medium is non-toxic and sterile to avoid rotting and death of the cuttings;

2. My hands were dirty at the time, so I didn't take a photo. Don't insert the cuttings directly into the substrate, as this will damage the horseshoe at the base of the cuttings. Use a wooden stick or chopstick, soaked in carbendazim, and insert the cuttings at a 30-degree angle on the substrate (oblique insertion is for the needs of bonsai materials that require a variety of changes, straight insertion has fewer changes), and then put the cuttings into the holes;

3. Remember to apply erythromycin ointment on the cut end to prevent bacteria from invading and rotting. Comb the roots (it is still recommended to wrap them with cotton thread, which will not hurt the roots and will not affect nutrient absorption. They can rot and degrade on their own. If you use iron wire, you need to untie it little by little, and it is very likely to grow into the roots and affect the appearance). Plant it in a pot (because the roots are relatively long, use the middle part of a large mineral water bottle to surround it, use fertile leaf mold as planting material in the pot, use river sand for the surrounding part, and cover it with moss to keep it moist);

4. Place it in a large foam box (because we started a little early and the weather was cold, we just made a simple small greenhouse. We added 5 cm thick soil to the bottom of the foam box to keep it warm and humid). In the middle of the picture below (2) is a small elm tree attached to a stone that we just made, which is also the material obtained by cuttings.

How to cut and graft Podocarpus macrophylla (II)

3. Post-insertion management

Watering : There are two types. One is rooting water, which is to use the water used to soak the cuttings to directly pour into the pot. Don't pour too hard, or the river sand will be washed up. The water used to soak the cuttings contains rooting powder and carbendazim, which can also disinfect the cutting medium again and make the river sand and cuttings closely combined. The second is spraying water, which is to mix carbendazim and rooting powder with a pot of water, and spray the whole box once to disinfect it, just to make you feel more at ease; Cover with a glass plate (not completely sealed, leaving a little gap for ventilation);

Later maintenance: After the temperature rises every morning, uncover the glass plate and spray it once, which is equivalent to replenishing water on the leaves; do not touch or turn the cuttings at will, and keep it like this for a year. Of course, remove the glass plate in summer; do some appropriate shading in summer.