Content
Reproduction of Japanese quince is not particularly difficult even for a novice gardener, if you know how and when to do it. Therefore, in order to avoid serious mistakes, you should study in advance all possible ways of obtaining new shrub seedlings in order to choose the most optimal option. You should also familiarize yourself with the features of each method and the conditions for its implementation.
Japanese quince reproduces well by vegetative methods
Quince propagation methods
Chaenomeles, or Japanese quince, can be propagated by seeds, layering, root shoots and grafting. The first method makes it possible to obtain many new seedlings, but they do not retain the species qualities of the mother plant.
All other propagation methods are recommended to be used when it is necessary to preserve the variety of Japanese quince you like. In this case, the plants completely reproduce the characteristics of the mother bush.But the disadvantage of these propagation methods is that they only produce a limited number of seedlings.
Is it possible to take quince cuttings?
To obtain new planting material for Japanese quince, you can also use the cutting method. However, the survival rate of seedlings is 30-50%, which is the norm for this crop.
For some decorative grafted varieties of Japanese quince, cuttings may be the only way to obtain seedlings that fully retain their species properties.
Is it possible to divide the rhizome
Dividing the bush as a method of propagation is unacceptable for this crop, since the resulting parts do not take root after transplantation. An alternative may be to plant the basal shoots that the plant produces annually at the base.
How to propagate Japanese quince from cuttings
Propagation by cuttings of Japanese quince is possible in the summer, namely in early June. During this period, many new young shoots are formed on the bush. Cuttings should be cut in dry, cool weather.
What tools and materials will be needed
To cut Japanese quince, you need to use a sharp knife, which will ensure even, rather than torn, cuts. Before carrying out the procedure, the instrument should be disinfected with an alcohol-containing liquid or scalded with boiling water. This will eliminate the possibility of infection getting into open wounds.
You should also prepare a substrate consisting of peat and sand in a ratio of 1:3. And for planting cuttings, use wide containers 15-20 cm high. If they are rooted in water, you need to prepare tall transparent glasses.
It is not recommended to cut Japanese quince at temperatures above +20 degrees
How to take cuttings from Japanese quince
For propagation, you need to use well-developed young shoots with a diameter of 0.5-0.7 cm. They must be divided into parts, each of which must have two internodes. The bottom cut should be made obliquely 1 cm below the first pair of leaves. And the top, flat one is 1.5 cm higher than the internode.
How to root Japanese quince cuttings
To increase the percentage of rooting of cuttings, you need to soak them in a Heteroauxin solution for at least 2 hours before planting them in the substrate.
For planting, fill prepared wide containers with sand and peat substrate. Then the soil needs to be well moistened and the surface leveled. After this, plant the cuttings at an angle and slightly compact the soil at their base.
Japanese quince cuttings take root in the ground in 30-40 days
At the end of the planting procedure, cover with a transparent film and place the container in a bright place with a temperature of +23 degrees. Further care: regularly ventilate the cuttings, watering as the top layer of soil in the container dries. As soon as young leaves begin to grow, the cover can be removed, as this sign indicates the appearance of roots. You can transplant the seedlings to a permanent place in early autumn, when they are strong enough.
Japanese quince cuttings can also be rooted in water. But for the procedure to be successful, it is necessary to eliminate as much as possible the possibility of shoot rotting.
To do this you need:
- do not change, but only add water as it evaporates;
- place the cuttings in a spacious container so that they do not touch;
- provide diffused lighting, keeping the temperature within +23-25 degrees.
When roots grow in water up to 5 cm long, the cuttings need to be transplanted into pots. And they can only be moved to a permanent place in the fall or spring.
The lower cut of the cutting is made oblique to increase the rooting area
How to propagate Japanese quince by seeds
For planting, you need to use seeds collected from ripened fruits in the fall. Before carrying out the procedure, they should be separated from the pulp. Then it is necessary to rinse with water and dry slightly until characteristic flowability appears. For successful germination of quince seeds, stratification is required, which involves exposure to low temperatures.
Therefore, planting can be done in the fall directly into open ground. In this case, stratification will take place in winter. To do this, you need to dig up the area. Level the surface and plant the seeds in moist soil to a depth of 2 cm. With the arrival of spring warmth, they will germinate.
It is possible to propagate quince by seeds and at home. In this case, planting is recommended in December. To do this, you need to fill wide containers with sand and peat substrate, not filling 1 cm to the edges. After this, spread the seeds at a distance of 2 cm. And then sprinkle them on top with a layer of substrate 0.5-1 cm thick. When finished, compact the surface of the soil and moisten it from a spray bottle.
To successfully propagate Japanese quince with seeds at home, after planting, you need to cover the container with a transparent film and place it in the lower compartment of the refrigerator for two months for stratification.After the waiting period has expired, the container should be moved to a bright window sill and the temperature should be maintained within +23 degrees. When the seeds germinate and the sprouts become stronger, the film can be removed. Further care: watering as needed, transplanting into separate pots when four true leaves appear.
Seedlings grown from seeds must be kept at home for a year so that they can fully grow stronger. They can be planted in a permanent place in open ground only at the beginning of next summer.
The germination rate of quince seeds is 85%
How to propagate quince by layering
Common quince can also be propagated by layering. This is considered the easiest way to obtain new plant seedlings. To do this, it is necessary to bend the young side shoots to the ground in early spring and bury them 8 cm into the soil, leaving only the top. To prevent the branches from bending, they need to be secured with staples.
Throughout the season, it is necessary to control soil moisture. Also, the cuttings should be periodically fed with organic matter, which stimulates root growth. It is recommended to separate the young seedling from the mother bush only next spring. Then he will be able to get stronger before winter.
Seedlings obtained from layerings have a 100% survival rate
Reproduction by young root shoots
Reproduction of the Japanese quince shrub is also possible by root shoots. To do this, it is necessary to select shoots of 10-15 cm and a diameter of at least 1 cm. They must be separated with a shovel along with the roots from the mother plant and immediately planted in a permanent place.
For successful establishment, it is necessary to control the level of soil moisture, since even slight drying out of the roots during the adaptation period can lead to the death of seedlings. Throughout the season, the plant should be properly cared for. It involves loosening the soil after each moistening to maintain soil aeration. Weeds should also be removed promptly. And during hot periods, it is necessary to lay 3 cm thick straw mulch at the base of the young bush. This helps prevent excessive evaporation of moisture.
Reproduction by grafting
Many ornamental varieties of Japanese quince are propagated by grafting onto wild seedlings.
This propagation method should be used in the spring. Experienced gardeners recommend using budding, that is, grafting with the eye. Cuttings of varietal chaenomeles should be harvested in July or August during the period of active sap flow. And then store in a damp cloth in the refrigerator.
To graft, it is necessary to cut off a bud from the middle part of a varietal shoot with a sharp knife with a shield. Then make a T-shaped cut on the rootstock shoot and bend the edges of the bark. After this, push the kidney shield under it. Return the bark to its place, cover the graft with garden varnish. If everything went well, the kidney will begin to develop in a month.
All incisions during vaccination must be made with a sterile instrument.
Conclusion
Japanese quince can be propagated in different ways, and each of them allows you to obtain young seedlings if you strictly follow all the recommendations.Therefore, even a gardener who does not have many years of experience is able to cope with this task. Especially if you use layering and root shoots. But only a professional can handle cuttings and grafting of this fruit-bearing shrub.
