Winter cuttings of conifers: the easiest way to propagate

Good afternoon, my reader. Coniferous crops: cypress, thuja, juniper - are very popular not only among landscape designers, but also among ordinary summer residents. However, the problem of landscaping areas with evergreen crops rests on the high cost of seedlings. Fortunately, these plants can be propagated independently as they root easily in the winter.

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Cutting period

At the end of February, when winter is still in no hurry to say goodbye to us, coniferous crops end their dormant period. Outwardly, it is difficult to determine, however, even under the snow cover, a slow process of revitalization (sap flow) begins. This period is best suited for propagation of ephedra by cuttings.

Cutting process

For this event, sphagnum (moss), planting containers and root formation stimulants are prepared in advance. For harvesting cuttings, young, mature plants no older than 8 years are chosen. It is better if it is an ephedra of 4-6 years old. Young bushes (trees) are not suitable for grafting, since they have not yet formed a crown, and the shoots of old plants do not root well.

For harvesting evergreen coniferous crops, several lateral shoots about 10 cm long are cut off together with a small piece of bark ("heel"). This is done carefully so that there are no long pieces of wood left on the handle. The blanks are immediately placed in containers with damp moss.

Attention! In plants with variegated needles, cuttings are cut from the sunny side, and in pyramidal crops - from the middle of the crown.

Rooting of conifers

Beginners in gardening can be intimidated by the process of self-propagation of conifers. In fact, it is quite simple: you just need to diligently fulfill the requirements of agricultural technology:

1. The lower part of the cutting is freed from the needles, cutting it off with a sharp, disinfected pruner. The top (5-6 cm) and the bare base of the shoot should remain at least 3-4 cm on the workpiece.
2. The seedlings are placed in a container with a ready-made solution of potassium humate, "Kornevin", "Epina" for 12 hours - any root formation stimulator will do.
3. A layer of moistened moss is laid out on a piece of polyethylene, on which the blanks are placed. This is done so that the sphagnum only touches the base of the cuttings.
4. From above, the bare parts of the seedlings are covered with a layer of moss, and then with polyethylene.
5. The film with cuttings is carefully rolled into a roll, tied at the base with twine and placed in any stable container that does not allow moisture to pass through.
6. A transparent bag (bag) is put on top of the blanks (roll) and the resulting structure is placed in a well-lit place.

For rooting, cuttings need a lot of light, at least 10-12 hours a day. However, they should not be left in direct sunlight. For good root formation, the air temperature must be kept within 18-20 ° C.

Care of cuttings

Coniferous seedlings do not require special maintenance conditions. It is enough to ensure that the substrate (sphagnum) in the "greenhouse" does not dry out. To maintain humidity, it is enough to moss the moss once a week with a spray bottle.

In addition, it is necessary to periodically ventilate the "greenhouse" so that mold or fungal infection does not form in conditions of high humidity. To speed up the rooting process, the seedlings are treated twice a month with a solution of Kornevin (Epina, potassium humate).

By mid-spring, rooted cuttings are planted in peat pots or any other separate containers filled with soil. You can buy potting potting mix at your gardening (flower) store. Or cook it yourself, if you took care of this back in the fall.

The bottom of the planting container with a hole is lined with a drainage layer of expanded clay (small pebbles) and filled with soil consisting of the following components in equal parts:

• sod land;
• gravel;
• high-moor peat.

It is desirable that the substrate contains a small amount of needles, bark or small twigs of related crops. These components improve the structure of the soil, providing good breathability and moisture holding capacity. In addition, they, in combination with high-moor peat, slightly increase the acidity of the soil, which is necessary for the good development of conifers.

Landing in open ground

In late spring (from mid-May), when the daytime air temperature does not drop below 18-20 ° C, containers with cuttings are taken out into the garden. To do this, choose a shady area or make a small structure (canopy, screen) that will protect the seedlings from the bright sun. You can use white agrofibre: it reflects ultraviolet rays well.

In addition, young plants need to be protected from cold winds. As soon as the seedlings adapt to new conditions and grow, they can be planted in a permanent place. If the stalk was planted not in a peat, but in an ordinary pot, it should be transplanted together with an earthen clod.

Before final rooting, it is necessary to monitor the soil moisture. Watering is carried out as needed. Conifers are not demanding on the composition of the soil, so they do not need mineral fertilizing. And organic matter (manure) is completely contraindicated.

2-3 weeks before cold weather (persistent frost), young plants are covered for the winter. Before this, water-charging watering is carried out, the soil is loosened and the root zone is mulched with high-moor peat or needles. Then they are covered with spruce or pine spruce branches, and on top with a layer of spunbond or burlap.

A low seedling in winter will be covered with a layer of snow. In the southern regions of the country, where winters are often snowless, care must be taken to ensure that the crown does not fade from the bright sun. The crown of adult plants is covered with white agrofibre. And for young seedlings, you can build a small canopy or a protective screen using a covering material.

Reproduction of conifers in winter is a simple and not very laborious process. Given the high survival rate of seedlings (at least 90%), you can easily decorate your site with any plant you like.

Do you plant conifers on your site?

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