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Thuja is a small monoecious evergreen tree (less often a shrub) of the Cypress family. This family includes 5 species native to the regions of North America and East Asia. In its natural habitat, propagation of this coniferous crop occurs by seed or vegetative methods. However, in nurseries and garden landscapes, thujas are propagated by other methods, one of which is using cuttings.Thuja cuttings can significantly save time and effort on germinating seeds, as well as finances for the purchase of a ready-made seedling.
It is important for anyone who is going to take coniferous cuttings for the first time to know all the nuances, rules and features of propagating thuja from cuttings at home.
How does thuja propagate at home?
At home, thuja is often propagated in several ways: for example, you can grow an ephedra from a twig or use the seed method. If you propagate thuja by seeds, you can get enough healthy specimens with a high level of endurance in a fairly short time without spending a lot of money. The seed method allows you to propagate any varieties and types of trees, however, this method has a significant disadvantage: the grown seedlings will not correspond 100% to the parent form, and may also have deviations in their appearance and decorative qualities. Growing thuja from twigs also has a disadvantage: with this propagation method, no more than 70 - 80% of plants can survive.
Is it possible to propagate thuja from cuttings?
Unlike the seed propagation method, which takes about 6 years, there is another method of propagating thuja - cuttings. If you propagate thuja by cuttings, you can see the result much faster - after 2 - 3 years, when young healthy plants are obtained, fully suitable for landscaping the garden area. Moreover, seedlings grown from cuttings are much hardier and more viable than those propagated by seeds. Such plants adapt much faster and better to the climatic conditions of the area than specimens brought from another place.
To propagate thuja by cuttings, it is extremely important to choose the right branches of a plant that has not yet become woody and is up to 3 years old. It is optimal to choose green branches up to 0.5 m in length with a small amount of wood at the tip. It is best to do this on a cloudy day (in the morning).
Preparation of thuja cuttings
Many gardeners believe that cutting thuja and preparing planting material is a complex process that requires enormous effort, but this is not so. By correctly cutting a cutting from the right place at a certain time (mid-April), as a result, you can quickly propagate the conifer and get a seedling that will produce roots 5-7 cm long in 4-5 weeks.
When cutting cuttings, it is important to adhere to the following rules:
- It is best to trim the part of the branches that is in the middle of the tree. The branch must be over two years old and beginning to become woody. Its length, on average, should be 40 - 50 cm, and its diameter should be no more than 5 - 7 mm. As a result, you will get about 3 - 4 finished cuttings from one branch.
- It is best to use a sharp knife or pruning shears to cut the cuttings.
- To properly propagate conifers, it is better to take a cutting with a so-called “heel”: this is a separate branch of the required size (10 - 15 cm), which is torn from the plant with a sharp movement. This “heel” is the basis for subsequent root growth.
- All leaves on the lower part of the branch should be cut to 4 - 5 cm so that they do not take away the nutrients necessary for proper rooting of the cutting. The rest of the leaves may remain.
Before planting plants in the ground, experts recommend treating the planting material with a drug that stimulates root formation (Epin, Ecopin, Kornevin, etc.).The cuttings are dipped in the preparation and allowed to soak in the open air for 30 minutes.
How to save thuja cuttings before planting
Experts do not recommend delaying planting thuja after receiving cuttings, since they may lose some of their decorative qualities, and the roots of the plant may dry out. However, if it is not possible to plant conifers right away, the best option would be to wrap the cuttings with a damp cloth and place them in a cool place for a short time.
Timing for propagation of thuja by cuttings
You can propagate thuja by cuttings in any season, but it is worth considering that at different times of the year thuja is propagated by cuttings in different ways. For example, when conifers are propagated in the autumn, the plant immediately needs to be provided with optimal levels of heat and moisture for growth in winter.
Experts consider spring to be one of the most optimal seasons for propagating thuja by cuttings, because:
- After the snow thaws, the thuja gradually awakens from winter, and the tree begins the process of sap flow. At the same time, the vegetative mass of the plant has not yet been gained and you can safely take cuttings from the conifer, which, in turn, will not notice the “loss” of several of its branches.
- In the spring, during the first 1 - 1.5 months after planting (from mid-April), thuja cuttings will take root at ideal air temperatures. However, the humidity level must be maintained artificially by hand.
- It is in the spring that you can have time to transplant the rooted plants into a special school, where the thuja will continue to grow over the next 2 - 3 years. Healthy, hardened and hardy young plants will be ready for winter.
In summer, thuja is most often cut from the last ten days of June, when the second stage of growth begins.However, it is worth remembering that the rooting process will not happen immediately, and the seedlings will have to wait until next year. Cuttings are harvested in April using green annual shoots. If you propagate thuja in the summer, you can achieve the development of the most powerful root system in the seedling in the winter until the plant awakens. It is also recommended to take soil from the place where the thuja will be planted in the future: then its level of adaptation and life expectancy will increase significantly.
Propagation of thuja by cuttings in autumn has the most peculiarities. Many gardeners consider the autumn period to be the ideal time to take thuja cuttings, since then the chances of getting healthy and hardy specimens increase several times. In autumn, the process of sap flow slows down, which reduces the number of branches that die from lack of moisture. However, it is worth considering that at the time of vegetative dormancy it will take more time for rooting than during active growth. It is best to start harvesting branches in October, on one of the cloudy days, when the leaves on the trees begin to fall off intensively. It is also important to carefully approach the process of choosing a tree and branches. In order for the seedling to form the correct crown, it is better to take shoots from the top of the tree. On especially tall thujas, it is best to choose branches that are at least 3 years old.
The principle of cutting branches from a tree in the autumn remains unchanged: they should be cut off from the shoots in such a way that at the ends there is a part of the lignified bark - the “heel”, which should be as long as possible.The cut is carried out in places where the bark has already begun to come off. In addition, it is better to cut off all leaves up to 30 mm from the heel.
You should pay attention to the features of caring for cuttings in the fall during rooting:
- If thuja is propagated using cuttings taken in the fall and placed in water, all care consists of regularly changing it. This will prevent the heel from rotting. When changing water, the cuttings need to be removed and their bases wrapped with a damp cloth. Rinse the container and pour fresh water into the bottom, you can add a little potassium permanganate solution, then place the cuttings back into the container;
- If thuja is cut using a substrate, the soil should be moistened regularly. It is best to use a spray bottle for this to prevent the soil from settling. Do not allow the earthen lump to dry out too much;Attention! Don't be overzealous with watering. If there is excess moisture, the “heel” or root system of the plant may begin to rot.
- If you propagate thuja in the autumn, then caring for the cuttings in film will be the most trouble-free. Due to the fact that the film and moss retain moisture well, plants practically do not need moisture. You can determine whether the conifer has enough moisture by looking at the bag with cuttings: if there is no condensation on its inside, the humidity level inside is optimal. If condensation does appear, it means the moisture level should be increased slightly.
Propagating thuja by cuttings in winter at home is not particularly difficult; moreover, it is during this season that you have the most time to do gardening. However, it is important to take into account: it is the winter period that is characterized by high plant mortality, so it is necessary to cut thuja with the utmost caution.
You can find out more information about the features of thuja cuttings in winter at home from the video:
How to propagate thuja at home from cuttings
Growing thuja from cuttings at home can be done in several ways, each of which has its own characteristics and nuances:
An easy and quick way to propagate thuja in water
Propagation of thuja by cuttings in a jar of water is considered one of the most unpretentious options for propagating a plant, which does not require much effort. A sufficient amount of water is collected in a jar or large enough container and the shoots are placed in it so that the “heels” of the plant are submerged 3–4 cm. It is very important to ensure that there are no leaves in the water, otherwise the process of rotting may begin.
Depending on the size of the shoot and the jar, you can cut from 1 to 5 branches in one container. It is highly not recommended to propagate more plants in one jar, since then they will not be provided with sufficient nutrients in the water.
As the water becomes dirty and evaporates, it needs to be replaced with fresh water. In order to prevent the decay process, several small crystals of potassium permanganate should be added to the water. When propagating thuja by cuttings in a jar, you should also remember that the shoots tend to dry out quickly on dry land, which is why they need to be wrapped in a damp cloth before being placed back in the container.
The jar with cuttings should be placed in a cool place with diffused light. Depending on the speed of root growth, the cuttings should be planted in a container with soil. In the absence of bright lighting, the development of the root system will occur much faster.Root growth often lasts for several months, after which the plants are ready for planting. Propagating thuja from cuttings in a jar will allow you to get healthy shoots for planting without much hassle and effort in a fairly short period.
How to propagate thuja in soil at home
You don’t need a lot of knowledge and skills to propagate thuja from cuttings in the ground at home. The main task is to properly prepare the containers. To do this, you can use a tray with river sand treated with a solution of potassium permanganate or a separate container with a volume of 0.5 liters. Cuttings in a tray should be placed according to a 3x5 cm pattern with a rooting depth of 2–3 cm; when using a container, they are planted in 3–5 pieces. To create a substrate, sand and peat are mixed in a 1:1 ratio.
When thuja is cut into a substrate, constantly monitoring the soil moisture level. Plastic film, as well as daily spraying, will help maintain optimal soil moisture.
Propagation of thuja by cuttings at home using moss
Cutting thuja into tissue is one of the easiest to care for and effective methods for propagating a plant. At the same time, the risk of rotting of the root system of the future conifer is significantly reduced. In order to propagate conifers, prepare a plastic bag, a small piece of fabric, moss (sphagnum), and any growth stimulant.
The moss should be soaked in cool boiled water for 2 – 3 hours. After this, it is placed in the middle of the fabric, and cuttings are placed on top at a sufficient distance from each other.Next, the fabric should be folded so that the green part of the plants is hidden inside. Then the material is pulled using a rope or elastic band. The bundle with cuttings should be placed in a bag and placed in a well-lit space (in an apartment, a window would be ideal).
Rooting thuja cuttings at home using a wick
Cutting thuja using a wick will require more time and effort, but this method can ensure maximum survival of the cuttings at the planting site. The main feature of this method of propagating crops is the ability to root cuttings of trees and shrubs.
The process of rooting thuja using a wick consists of several stages:
- Prepare a plastic cup (200 g) and make a small hole in its bottom.
- Thread a string or piece of twine through the hole.
- Place drainage at the bottom and nutrient substrate on top.
- Place the glass on a jar of water and dip the end of the cord or twine into the water.
- Plant pre-prepared cuttings (no more than 5 copies per container).
- Cover the top with another plastic cup to ensure optimal moisture levels.
You can see the first roots after 3 - 4 weeks, and in the fall the plants will be ready for transplanting into the school.
Step-by-step instructions on how to cut thuja in potatoes
It is best to propagate thuja using this method in the spring, when active growth of conifers begins. The sequence of actions is as follows:
- The prepared cuttings should be placed in Kornevin’s solution for one night.
- Take a potato and carefully remove all the “eyes” from the vegetable.
- Using a nail, use a nail to pierce holes 3–4 cm deep.
- Place the prepared cutting into the hole in the potato.The deeper it is placed, the better.
- Then it is important to prepare the planting site: dig small holes and add a little humus or fertile black soil to them.
- Bury the cuttings placed in the potatoes in the ground and cover the top with a bottle with a screw cap and water well through the stopper.
Cutting a plant in this way is quite simple and effective, because the potatoes will retain moisture perfectly, which will allow you to quickly obtain healthy thuja specimens ready for planting.
How to grow thuja from cuttings at home
In order to propagate thuja at home, it does not require much effort. But proper care of seedlings can preserve and improve the decorative qualities of the plant, as well as extend its life. There are several simple rules for caring for cuttings, following which you can grow a healthy coniferous tree.
How long does it take for a thuja cutting to root?
The first roots of thuja cuttings begin to appear after two months. During this period, the risk of the root system drying out also decreases, so you can worry less about maintaining moisture levels.
Immediately after the first roots appear on the thuja cuttings, the plants are moved to a shkolka (special bed), where they will ripen for the next 2 to 3 years, until they are transplanted to a permanent place. Branches harvested in the fall should be replanted next year, and branches harvested in the spring - in September. To do this you need:
- Select the area on which the school will be formed. The ideal place would be a semi-shaded area.
- Dig up the ground and add a small amount of peat (1 bucket per 1 sq. m).
- Then you should water the containers with already rooted thuja cuttings: then the plants can be removed without damaging the root system.
- Place the seedlings in the ground at a distance of 20 - 25 cm from each other.
- Water the soil well.
After this, it is important to follow fairly simple rules: regularly water the soil and remove weeds from the site. After 2 - 3 years, the young seedlings will get stronger, grow larger and be ready for transplanting to a permanent place. Then thuja can be used to create alleys, hedges and other landscape compositions.
After transplanting into the ground, the thuja begins to grow actively. To obtain a lush multi-trunked tree, it is better to begin its formation during this period. For this purpose, next year you need to trim the central “channel” with last year’s wood. After such pruning, the thuja will stop growing for some time, and in the axil areas on the lower part, new branches will begin to grow, which will subsequently form a multi-stemmed system, and then the conifer will become much more magnificent.
Possible problems during rooting
Rooting thuja at home is quite simple, but even in such a simple process difficulties can arise. Before you start propagating conifers, it is important to familiarize yourself with possible problems and ways to eliminate them.
The appearance of white mold on thuja cuttings
The development of white mold on thuja cuttings is often encountered even by experienced gardeners when they are cutting conifers. There may be several reasons for its appearance on young shoots:
- The seedling was infected with a fungal disease during the growing season: most often, such an infection is oidium.
- Poor treatment with special fungicides or low quality preparations.
- Thuja cuttings were propagated without treatment with products that prevent the appearance of white mold.
- The place where cuttings are stored has a high level of air humidity or the temperature exceeds the permissible norm.
- The cause of mold can also be waterlogging of the soil.
If you find white mold on thuja cuttings, you should not rush to throw them away. First, the seedlings must be thoroughly washed with clean water, and then in a light pink solution of potassium permanganate. After washing off the mold, the cuttings should be placed for some time in a solution of iron sulfate in a ratio of 500 g per 10 liters of water. Iron sulfate can also be replaced with Fundazol or Quinozol: plants need to be placed in them for 2 - 3 hours at the concentration of the solution, according to the instructions for use. After processing the cuttings, they need to be dried well and left for further storage.
You can prevent the next occurrence of mold by using sand, but it is best to store plants in special plastic bags that have holes for air to enter. When placing a small number of cuttings in a plastic bag, they should first be tied into bundles and wrapped in a damp cloth or paper. Storing thuja cuttings in plastic allows you to check the safety of the plant at any time and provide additional ventilation if necessary.
What to do if thuja cuttings dry out
Drying out of thuja cuttings often occurs in the spring, when the air begins to actively warm up. It is necessary to immediately move the cuttings to the most shaded place and treat them with special stimulants: 2 times using the drug HB-101 or 3 - 4 times using Epin or Zircon in combination with Cytovit, with intervals of 7 - 14 days. Plants should also be sprayed with Fitosporin to prevent the development of fungal infections.
Another reason for the drying out of thuja cuttings may be the lack of space between the sprouts, when the seedlings do not receive the proper amount of nutrients. That is why it is extremely important to monitor the distance between plants and, if necessary, move the cuttings to a larger container.
Conclusion
Thuja cuttings are one of the most common methods of plant propagation at home, which also has many advantages over other methods. To cut thuja in a relatively short period, there are many methods and techniques, from which it is easy to choose the most suitable method for yourself. However, before propagating plants, it is important to familiarize yourself with the features of each cutting method, possible problems and rules for further care of seedlings.
