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Many gardeners call the propagation of coniferous plants their hobby, which they do not for profit, but for their own pleasure. And it’s not surprising, because although this process requires full dedication, it is in itself very exciting and interesting. Evergreen trees and shrubs serve as a decorative addition to any garden plot. In addition, they bring undoubted benefits due to their ability to purify the air, which is why they are always very popular. Reproduction of coniferous species is possible by several methods, which are discussed in detail in the article.
Peculiarities of reproduction of coniferous species
In the natural environment, coniferous plants typically reproduce by seeds. Conifers do not have flowers or inflorescences in the generally accepted sense of this concept. However, they do have male and female reproductive organs called strobili. Male organs - microstrobiles - are shoots that carry pollen, which pollinates the female organs - megastrobiles, after which fruits (cones or berries) are formed. The seeds ripen in the fruits, with the help of which coniferous trees reproduce.
However, not all conifers have strobili, and this method of propagation is not available to everyone.In addition, planting conifers with seeds will give the expected result (that is, the grown plant will be identical to the mother one), only if the seed material is collected in the wild. Varietal and decorative coniferous species often give deviations with this method of propagation, that is, the purity of the variety is not preserved. Therefore, at home, propagation of coniferous plants is usually carried out by the vegetative method using cuttings, layering or grafting.
How to propagate conifers at home with seeds
Growing conifers from seeds collected in the forest will most likely produce a plant with the characteristic characteristics of the variety. In addition, some coniferous species can only be propagated by seed (for example, larch, fir, pine, spruce).
Due to the large amount of oils, seeds lose their viability if stored improperly. How to choose seeds for planting:
- the seed must be freshly harvested or no more than 2 years old;
- cones are taken only when fully ripe;
- the outer cover of the seeds should not show signs of damage;
- Seeds with a broken or incompletely formed shell should be sown immediately, since they very quickly lose their germination capacity.
After the seed is collected, the cones need to be given time to open. To speed up this process, place them in a paper bag and shake them periodically, leaving them in a warm, dry, well-ventilated place. It is important to adhere to the optimal temperature regime: if seeds are dried too intensively, germination rates deteriorate.
Growing conifers from seeds at home has its own rules, so it is important to follow agricultural practices.Seeds should be prepared in a special way before planting, that is, the integrity of the outer shell should be damaged. For this purpose, they are subjected to stratification, namely, placed in the cold for 1 - 3 months (at a temperature of 1 - 5˚C). Immediately before sowing, the seeds of coniferous plants are mixed and ground with coarse sand. All this is done in order to help the embryo overcome the hard shell and increase the germination of seeds. Under natural conditions, this process is ensured by microorganisms living in the soil, as well as enzymes in the stomachs of birds and animals.
To sow seeds, boxes with a special substrate are prepared in advance, consisting of one third compost, one part peat and one part sand. Coniferous tree seeds should be sown in December. Immediately after sowing, the containers are removed in a dark place, with a temperature of no more than 5 - 7 ˚C for 2 - 3 months: this can be a basement or cellar.
After three months, the planting containers are moved to a lighted place with a temperature of 18 - 22 ° C. It is necessary to ensure that the emerging sprouts are not exposed to direct rays of the sun: they can cause burns. After the seedlings have grown stronger, they are picked into separate pots or seedlings are planted in open ground. This must be done in the summer, when conifers have a slow growth period, in cloudy weather or in the evening.
Some species of coniferous plants (pine, spruce, larch) germinate well under a layer of snow. To do this, boxes with seeds are taken outside and covered with snow. When it gets warmer, the boxes are dug into the ground and left.
Coniferous tree seedlings do not require special care.The soil should be well-drained, loose, loamy, and watering should be moderate, since seedlings do not need feeding. If the seeds are sown in a properly prepared substrate, the seedlings will have enough nutrients. If necessary, you can fertilize with a diluted infusion of manure or a very low concentration of mineral fertilizer.
Reproduction of wild coniferous plants is possible only by sowing seeds. This method is also widely used for decorative conifers.
Propagation of conifers by cuttings
Propagation of conifers by seeds is one of the most common methods. However, in some cases they resort to cuttings.
Cuttings are cut from last year's growth in the morning. It is important to try to cut off the shoot with a small part of the mother material - the “heel”. The length of the cutting should be 8 - 12 cm; for decorative conifers, 5 - 7 cm will be enough.
Before planting, the cuttings are treated with a root-forming solution and planted in separate pots with a diameter of 15 cm, to a depth of 3 cm. If the cuttings of conifers for propagation are small, it is permissible to plant 2 - 3 pieces in one pot. Then put a plastic bag on the pots and place them in a well-lit place, for example, on a windowsill. After about 35 - 45 days, the shoots will take root.
Cuttings for propagating conifers in winter are ideal. Feeling the approach of warmth, closer to February, the plants begin to come to life, and this period is the most suitable for collecting material. Cuttings cut in February take root better, unlike spring cuttings: their survival rate is up to 90%.
Transplantation of rooted cuttings into open ground is carried out in early or mid-May.This procedure should be carried out very carefully, with a lump of soil, so as not to damage the delicate roots. At this age, conifers survive transplantation well; the only rule is that plants should be planted in partial shade.
Blue spruce, thuja, and junipers are propagated using this method. Pine and Scots spruce do not reproduce readily by cuttings, so there is a high probability of the death of most of the shoots.
Reproduction of conifers by layering
Reproduction of conifers by layering, or, as this method is also called, dividing the bush, is used quite rarely. The method is not suitable for all conifers, but only for young, multi-stemmed, bush plants.
Horizontal layering in the spring is bent to the ground and buried in the soil. To make the branches take root faster, a shallow cut is made on the shoot under the bud, and all small branches are removed. To prevent the branch from straightening, it must be fixed with a stone or wire.
In addition, you should monitor the humidity at the point where the shoots come into contact with the soil. After about a year, when the roots are already sufficiently developed, the branches are separated from the mother bush and replanted. Sometimes it may take longer to form an independent root system. The first winter after removal, the young coniferous plant must overwinter together with the mother bush.
This propagation method is absolutely harmless to the mother plant, but is considered the least productive. In addition, it is only suitable for coniferous bushes with flexible branches, an indefinite or horizontally creeping crown shape (cypress, yew).
On an industrial scale, coniferous shrubs are not propagated this way, since in most cases the result will be a lopsided plant with an irregular crown shape.
Reproduction of coniferous plants by grafting
Reproduction of conifers at home is also carried out by grafting. This method is used for those breeds that are reluctant to propagate by cuttings or seeds. This method of propagating conifers is widely used when it is necessary to obtain a special shape of the plant crown.
Three-, four-, or five-year-old healthy seedlings serve as a rootstock for propagating conifers. Scion cuttings are taken from the top of the crown. Cuttings begin to be harvested in the first month of spring and are stored in the cellar until the grafting procedure. The vaccination itself is carried out in the second half of summer, when the weather is dry. How to correctly carry out the lateral cleft grafting procedure:
- cut cuttings 10 cm long from the top of the shoot;
- both ends of the cutting are cut off with a wedge and cleared of needles;
- the upper part of the shoot is split to a depth of 1.5 cm, then the prepared cutting is inserted there (in this case, it is important to ensure that the cambium layer of the rootstock branch coincides with the scion);
- Next, the grafting site is tied with a thick woolen thread and, in hot weather, protected from the sun's rays with a paper cap.
In order for the procedure to give a 100% result, the cambium layer of the scion is carefully applied to the cambium layer of the rootstock, cutting off 4-6 cm of bark, and then bandaging it tightly. This method of grafting is called “per bark”.
If everything is done correctly, after a month the cutting will take root and the bandage can be removed. In order for the scion to actively grow, the top of the rootstock is cut off.
This method of propagating coniferous plants is quite complex and requires certain skills and professionalism from the gardener.
Conclusion
Reproduction of coniferous plants using any of the methods described above is a painstaking task that requires certain knowledge and skills. However, if you want to figure it out, it won’t be difficult even for a novice gardener. The propagation method largely depends on the breed of conifer, as well as on the expected result. On an industrial scale, seed sowing and cuttings are widely used. At home, in order to propagate coniferous trees and shrubs, you can use the method of dividing the bush (division) or grafting.
