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Many gardeners are convinced that propagation of pine trees at home is only possible by seeds. However, this is absolutely not true; the tree can also be propagated by cuttings or grafting. The article provides detailed instructions for propagating this amazing coniferous plant in all possible ways.
Peculiarities of reproduction of different types of pine
First of all, you need to decide on the type of pine that you plan to grow. Different species have their own characteristics of reproduction. For example, when propagated by branches, European pine takes root best. However, in the climate of central Russia, the most common species are Scots pine and Siberian pine.
When propagating by seeds, it is worth considering that the seeds of different types of pine trees differ in their appearance. Scots pine seeds have small wings that allow them to move in the air. Siberian pine seeds do not have wings. They consist of a core covered with a dense woody shell.
Is it possible to grow a pine tree from a branch?
Reproduction of many coniferous plants is possible with the help of a small branch. Pine can also be grown at home from cuttings. This process is slow and quite labor-intensive, but the final result cannot but please conifer lovers.
Pine propagation in this way is considered asexual. This means that no new gene variations are formed during the process of reproduction. The resulting plant is completely identical in genetic material to the parent plant.
How to grow a pine tree from a branch
The most favorable time for propagation of pine branches is the summer period, from mid-June to July. By this time, the branches are already sufficiently formed, but are still in the active growth phase. Thanks to the long daylight hours during the summer season, the cuttings will have time to take root. In warm regions, pine trees can be propagated by cuttings in the spring.
Propagation by branches in autumn or winter is not effective, since during the short daylight hours the cuttings simply do not have time to get enough daylight. They will take root more slowly, but artificial lighting will help speed up the process.
Choosing a suitable branch
Growing a pine tree from a twig is considered a method that is perfect for beginner gardeners. To propagate a tree using this method, you need to find a wild pine tree and cut off a young branch that appeared this year. The stem of the selected branch should be covered with lignified or semi-lignified bark. The younger the cut branch, the faster the process of formation of the first roots will occur.
The branch must be carefully cut using pruning shears so that its size does not exceed 10 cm. The branches located on its lower part are removed to free up this area for future roots.
Preparing for landing
When propagating pine trees by cuttings at home, the rate of rooting of branches largely depends on the composition of the soil. The more fertile it is, the faster the root system will form. The ideal soil is a mixture of peat and river sand in a 1:1 ratio. For drainage, half-rotted pine bark or coarse-fiber peat is added to the soil.
Since peat contains a huge number of microorganisms, some of which can have a detrimental effect on the health of the tree, the soil mixture must be disinfected. This can be done by watering it with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
Shortly before rooting, the branches are treated with a root formation stimulator. Moreover, the more woody the branch is, the more concentrated the stimulating solution is needed.
You can use an ordinary small wooden frame as a container for planting. Cuttings are also sometimes planted in a greenhouse. Both the frame and the greenhouse are covered with film after planting.
Rooting cuttings
When growing pine by cuttings during planting, you cannot immediately immerse the branch into the soil; this negatively affects the survival rate of the plant and root formation.
Algorithm for planting pine cuttings:
- fill the container with prepared and moistened soil mixture;
- using any hard object, make a small depression in the soil;
- place a branch in the recess;
- press and compact the soil layer;
- for preventive purposes, spray with a fungicide solution;
- cover the plantings with film to speed up the root formation process.
Light partial shade will be comfortable for germinating branches, so it is advisable to protect them from direct sun. Watering should be moderate, as needed. Pine cuttings should receive enough moisture, but if there is more than required, the root system will gradually begin to rot.
Closer to August, roots form on pine branches planted in frames. The complete rooting process takes from 1.5 to 4 months.
How to plant a pine tree from a branch in open ground
When growing pine from a branch, a year after planting, the cuttings become ready for transplanting into open ground. The more powerful and strong the roots are, the more likely and faster they will take root in the new soil and begin active growth. To check the readiness of the root system of a pine branch for replanting, the top layer of soil is lightly excavated.
The place for planting the rooted cuttings should be half shaded. Planting work is carried out in the spring on a cloudy, cool day. Sandy loam soil with weak acidity is optimal for pine.
Algorithm for transplanting a pine branch into open ground:
- Prepare a hole for planting 1 m deep. The width and length of the hole should be several centimeters greater than the size of the earthen ball.
- Line the bottom of the pit with a drainage layer of gravel or expanded clay about 20 cm thick.
- Fill the hole with a soil mixture of 1/3 river sand and 2/3 turf soil.
- Place the seedling in the hole, cover it with the remaining soil substrate, compact it and water it.
- It is imperative to mulch the tree trunk area immediately after transplanting.
As can be seen from the description, planting pine cuttings at home is not particularly difficult.
Pine propagation by layering
Pine trees are not propagated by layering. This method is usually used for propagating multi-stemmed, bushy plants. Propagation by layering is suitable for coniferous crops from the cypress or yew family.
Pine propagation by grafting
Pine propagation by grafting is preferred mainly by experienced gardeners, but beginners can also try their luck.
Plants are grafted during spring sap flow or in mid-summer. Spring grafting is carried out on last year's shoots, summer grafting is carried out on young branches of the current year. Pine grafting is carried out using two methods: pith-to-butt and cambium-to-cambium.
Algorithm for propagating pine using the butt-to-cambium method:
- Cut off all needles and side buds from the rootstock. The length of the peeled part of the pine branch should be 2 - 3 cm longer than the length of the grafted cutting.
- A cutting 8-10 cm long is also freed from needles, leaving only 8-12 bunches near the upper bud.
- After the rootstock and scion are prepared, you can begin grafting the pine. To do this, using a sharp blade, you need to make an incision on the handle passing through the middle of the core. It should start at the top, just below the bunch of needles, and end at the bottom of the pine branch.
- Next, using a blade, in the place of the rootstock it is necessary to separate a longitudinal strip of bark, equal in size to the cut on the prepared cutting. It is important that the cut passes through the cambium layer.
- As a final step, the scion is connected to the exposed cambium of the rootstock and then tied tightly.
When propagated using the cambium-on-cambium method, the survival rate of plants reaches almost 100%. Reproduction algorithm:
- Free the axial annual shoot of the rootstock, which has reached the age of 4 - 5 years, from needles in an area of 5 - 10 cm in length.
- Trying not to damage the cambium, cut the bark of the rootstock and scion into strips 4–6 cm long. It is important that the cuts on the rootstock and scion are the same length and width.
- Connect the cut points, then tie tightly. The fusion process usually takes 4 to 5 weeks.
- After the cuttings have finally taken root and begin to grow, the binding is removed.
- Using pruning shears, simultaneously trim the top of the axial shoot on the rootstock, as well as the ends of the shoots on the first whorl. Thanks to this, the growth of the scion is significantly enhanced.
- Over the next 2 - 3 years, all whorls on the rootstock should be gradually removed.
How to grow a pine tree from a cone
Pine cones open closer to the second year after they appear on the branches. By this time they can be used for propagation by seeds.
Pine seeds are usually collected in the fall. Until the end of winter they are stored at temperatures from 0 to +5 oC. When early spring arrives, the seeds are ready to be planted in planting containers at home. After the snow has thawed to the point of the shovel, they can be immediately sown in open ground.
Conclusion
Pine propagation is a process that every gardener can do. The main thing is to strictly follow the rules of a particular method. Beginning gardeners can start practicing by propagating by seeds or cuttings. Experienced gardeners can develop decorative forms using grafting.
