Content
For many gardeners, cutting spruce seems to be a rather complicated and labor-intensive process that brings a lot of trouble and requires a lot of time. However, if you do this work according to agrotechnical rules, take a serious approach to the selection and preparation of material for planting, select a suitable place and organize proper care for the seedling, then this task will be significantly simplified.
If you study all the intricacies of the spruce propagation process, then its cuttings will not be particularly difficult
Is it possible to grow a spruce from a branch?
It is quite possible to grow a spruce from a branch. Moreover, even a novice gardener can cope with this task. The main thing is to study all the rules of this method of propagation and adhere to them when cuttings are performed. Spruce is an unpretentious crop; for germination it does not require special conditions or special care, just a little attention and care.
Advantages and disadvantages of the method
Spruce cuttings are the best method of propagating the crop and have virtually no disadvantages. It is effective, reliable and, compared to other methods, the simplest.
In addition to cuttings, spruce propagates by seeds and division.
Advantages:
- simplicity and high efficiency of the procedure;
- guarantee of growing a copy of the tree from which the branch was cut;
- the possibility of obtaining a large number of seedlings;
- high survival rate;
- more stable immunity.
Flaws:
- the need for daily monitoring of soil moisture.
When to take cuttings
You can propagate spruce by cuttings at home at any time of the year, but the maximum effect will be achieved. if cuttings are carried out in the spring, from the end of March to the second half of May. It is during this period of time that the tree is at the stage of active vegetation, the buds on it begin to swell, their scales move apart and form a green part.
If the preparation of planting material is started in the summer, root processes do not have time to form on it, but an influx is formed on which they will appear later. To speed up this process, some gardeners use root formers such as Kornevin. They are used to treat cut areas.
In the fall, it is also possible to propagate spruce by cuttings, but in this case the rooting process will be long. Perhaps it will drag on for 7-9 months. In addition, unlike spring cuttings, about 30% of autumn cuttings will die.
Almost all cuttings prepared in the spring take root
How to grow a spruce from a branch
Growing spruce using the cutting method does not require a lot of materials or experience. In order for the work not to be carried out in vain, you need to familiarize yourself with the full technological process in advance, study the rules for preparing cuttings, prepare planting material, containers, soil and try to root them as quickly as possible after cutting the branches. Then, with proper care, after a few months they will turn out to be good seedlings, which can be planted on the site at the right time.
Rules for preparing spruce cuttings
In order for spruce cuttings to give the best possible result, there are several rules that are recommended to be followed when carrying out this procedure. They look like this:
- The mother tree from which cuttings are taken must be four to ten years old.
- It is better to break off the material rather than cut it so that it loses less nutrients and resin.
- Prepare cuttings early in the morning, while there are drops of dew on the branches.
- Perform cuttings of spruce that was grown from seeds.
- Take horizontal branches with a piece of bark and a heel.
- Cut cuttings no less than 6 cm long and no more than 20 cm long.
- If it is necessary to transport the material, wrap it in a cloth moistened with water.
- Take cuttings from the middle part of the spruce, crown or sides.
Preparing cuttings for planting
Before planting spruce cuttings, they should first be prepared. As a starting material, it is advisable to select twigs from the top of the tree, break them off with your hands so that they are about 15 cm in length, and at the end there is a heel with last year's growth.After this, it is recommended to immerse all the prepared cuttings for a day in a glass of water, or even better, with a sugar solution (1 teaspoon of sand per 500 ml of water), then free them from the lower needles and side branches by about 5 cm.
Selection of soil and container
When choosing soil for planting spruce, preference should be given to a breathable and loose composition. It is best to carry out cuttings in a soil mixture consisting of peat, perlite, garden soil and sand, taken in equal quantities. You can also use peat moss with washed coconut fiber in a 1:1 ratio instead.
In addition to the soil, you should also take care of the container for the cuttings in advance. Ideally, to germinate a spruce from a branch, it is best to build a mini-greenhouse from a cut 5 liter plastic bottle. The cut should be made approximately 2/3 of the container; it is recommended to pierce holes around the circumference of the container for drainage. Next, you need to fill the bottle with a layer (3 cm) of dried bark and peat screenings, or expanded clay/gravel, and a soil substrate on top.
Spruce cuttings need high-quality soil and a good drainage layer
How to root a spruce branch
After all the preparatory work has been done, you can begin directly planting the branches. The work flow looks like this:
- Make small notches at the ends of the soaked cuttings.
- Treat scratches with succinic or humic acid, or rub Kornevin into them.
- Bury the branches at an angle of 45 degrees into the ground.
- Compact.
- Sprinkle a small layer of river sand on top.
- Pour warm, settled water and close with a lid (in a pot - with a bag).
Further care
Rooting of spruce cuttings will only occur if the recommended care is taken. After planting, they are placed in a dark place, but are periodically inspected during agricultural procedures.
After the material has rooted, the cover is removed and further care is continued.
Watering
Throughout the entire period of germination of branches, it is necessary to open the greenhouse daily for ventilation for 10-15 minutes. Additionally, you can spray the cuttings. After removing the cover, the procedure remains the same. If necessary, seedlings are moistened with warm and well-settled water, regularly sprayed and weeded.
Top dressing
Rooting spruce cuttings do not need fertilizing, but after they begin to produce growth, they can be fertilized once a month. To do this, it is recommended to use special compositions for coniferous plants or humates, but with a concentration halved.
It is useful to mulch rooted cuttings with peat, sawdust, and leaf humus.
Loosening and trimming
To ensure that the root system of spruce cuttings receives fresh air, do not forget to frequently loosen the soil. But this must be done carefully and shallowly.
As for pruning a young tree, there are different opinions on this matter. Some gardeners claim that there is no need for it, while others believe that removing excess parts is a kind of help to the plant, thanks to which it will be easier for it to acquire the correct shape. Pruning, in their opinion, pushes the spruce towards proportional and full growth and development.
Transfer
2-3 years after the cuttings were carried out, the seedlings begin to grow actively and become crowded. At this point, they are ready to be transplanted to a permanent place.
It is best to carry it out in the spring, when the weather is warm. For this purpose, choose a well-lit area with breathable and light soil.
You cannot plant a spruce in a place where nightshade crops previously grew.
Pest Control
Another important point in caring for spruce cuttings is maintaining their health. Young seedlings are quite often exposed to various ailments, so you need to inspect them weekly for diseases. In addition, it is important to carry out preventive soil treatments with antifungal and insecticidal agents from time to time.
Conclusion
Cutting spruce - in principle, the process is not particularly complicated, and if the gardener does everything correctly, then after 3-5 years you can get a small strong tree from a cut branch. The main thing is to act in accordance with the technology, care for the seedling and give it due attention.Spruce is an ornamental crop and is often used to decorate garden plots, landscapes and homestead areas.
