How at home is the propagation of azaleas by cuttings?

Reproduction of azalea is a troublesome business. The plant is tender and moody. The survival rate of cut cuttings is 10: 1. At best - 5: 1. Nevertheless, such reproduction is worth the effort.

If the stalk survives and survives to the stage of an adult plant, then you will get the azalea fully adapted to the conditions of your home. Such a flower will be stronger and more resilient than the mother. How to properly cut the azalea will be considered in this article.

What is cuttings?

A stalk is a part of a plant that is used for vegetative propagation. From the cuttings you can grow a full-fledged adult plant that preserves the properties of the mother.

Most flower growers love the method of cultivating a flower by cuttings., since this is the most simple and effective way.

Features of different types

Deciduous

To root deciduous varieties, green cuttings are used. They are characterized by:

1. The presence of an unripe kidney at the apex.
2. Young developing leaves are light green in color.
3. Active continued growth.

If the shoot is quite mature, it is characterized by lignification, it has decorated leaves of dark green color. This suggests that the stalk is overripe and not suitable for reproduction.

Evergreen

For propagation of the evergreen variety, lignified cuttings are used. At the same time, they must be well ripened. An escape that bends but does not break is not suitable for rooting. A suitable stalk should be:

• Healthy.
• Have a framed healthy kidney.
• To have several matured leaves (at least 5).
• Be at least 10-15 cm long.

Features of the selection of cuttings for different types of azaleas will be different. How to determine if a stalk is ready for separation:

1. It should be ripe, but not lignified.
2. It should have a ripened vegetative kidney.
3. The leaves should also be ripe, healthy (without the characteristic signs of illness or pest damage), normal size.
4. The stalk may have a flower bud.
5. The size of the shoot should be at least 10-15 cm or slightly larger.
6. The handle should break with a characteristic woody sound.

The young stalk bends, but does not break. Such an escape is not suitable for rooting.

The soil

Rhododendron breeding ground can be bought at the store. And this is the easiest option. And you can cook it yourself. This will require:

• 2 coniferous land;
• 1 part of peat;
• 1 part of sand.

It is advisable to add vermiculite to the soil for loosening. It should be light and loose. It is highly advisable to disinfect this mixture. This can be done over steam in a colander or in an oven at a temperature of 100 degrees. Before planting, the soil must be irrigated with water. It should be wet, but not wet.

In no case should you use the land from under the oak. Azalea does not tolerate this soil due to the large number of tannins and low acidity.

Pot

As a container, you can use a glass jar or a cut plastic bottle. You can use a regular flower pot with a diameter of not more than 5 cm. Around the container you need to build a wire frame on which then a plastic bag will be put on. The frame is made so that the package does not touch the leaves. So the mini-greenhouse is built. Also, a mini greenhouse can be purchased at the store.

After planting the stem, it should be covered with a plastic bag so that the bag does not touch the plant. From above, this entire structure is covered with dark fabric, since azaleas take root in absolute darkness.

So some flower growers recommend. Others advise, on the contrary, to put the plant in the brightest place and even additionally lighten up. There is room for experiment.

Step-by-step instructions on how to propagate a flower

Separation from the mother flower

1. The tool for separating the shoots must be sterile.
2. The cut should be done under the lower kidney about 1 cm below it.
3. The slice is made obliquely, the lower leaves are removed.
4. The handle is treated with a root growth stimulator. It can be Cornevin, Zircon or Heteroauxin.
5. Cuttings must be healthy, strong and must have at least 5 leaves.

The proportions of the preparation of solutions to stimulate root growth:

• Heteroauxin - 1/5 tablets should be dissolved in 0.5 l of water. Cuttings are kept in this solution for no more than 6 hours.
• Zircon - 10 drops should be dissolved in 0.5 l of water, put the cuttings there and incubated for 24 hours.
• Kornevin prepared as follows: 1 part of Kornevin powder and one part of activated carbon (crushed) should be mixed. And the resulting mixture sprinkle slices.

How to plant?

1. Before planting, you should lower it into a solution with a root growth stimulator.
2. Immediately before seeding the sections should be treated with a solution of potassium permanganate.
3. The shoot is planted in the prepared soil, deepening by about 2-3 cm.
4. Cover with a plastic bag so that the bag does not touch the plant.
5. Cover with a dark cloth on top (if you prefer to root the azalea in the dark).

Is it possible to root the rhododendron in water? If the cuttings are already cut, and the soil is not yet ready, then it is quite acceptable to hold them in a glass of water for some time. You can add a rooting solution to the water.

The placement of cuttings in water is an extreme measure and should only be used if necessary. Since at the same time the chances of survival of the shoots are significantly reduced.

How to root and grow?

After planting cuttings should be patient. Since rooting will last approximately 4 months. A couple of months will have to wait until the plant grows. And only then it will be possible to remove the film. The capacity in which the cuttings are planted should be in the warmest place of the apartment or house (it is desirable to heat it from below). It is possible to carry out cuttings from mid-July to mid-October.

A prerequisite is active growth in the first year after rooting. Otherwise, the plant may die even with developed roots. For this, starting in January, a young plant should be artificially illuminated. In no case should there be drafts or dry air.
There is also seed propagation. You can find out more about how to grow azalea from seeds at home here.

Difficulties and problems

Decay

Causes:

• If shoots of unsuitable quality are taken, for example, lignified or sick.
• If the soil is not suitable or it is infected with fungi and bacteria.
• If not sterile instruments and infection was introduced during cutting.
• Cold soil in a greenhouse, especially if propagating azalea in winter.
• If you irrigate the cuttings with cold water.

Knowing all these nuances, you can prevent many problems when propagating azaleas.

Lack of rooting and growth

If the stem was planted in a greenhouse three or four months ago, but young leaves do not appear, the shoot does not grow, this indicates that rooting did not occur. In most cases, such plants are doomed.

Death

There are situations when a plant has taken root and has grown. And then it simply withered and perished. For azaleas, such situations are not uncommon, since azaleas are rather capricious and painfully reacts to any changes in the environment (temperature, humidity, drafts, direct sunlight). In order for your work not to be in vain experienced, root more cuttings at a time. This increases the chances of a positive result.

Home care for rhododendron

The care is as follows:

1. To provide the plant with the most favorable conditions: air temperature - 18-22 degrees, humidity inside the greenhouse - at least 80%.
2. If rooting occurs in winter, the container should be additionally heated from below. Daily spraying and airing (at least 30-40 minutes).
3. In no case should the soil be allowed to dry.
4. The earth should not be watered; instead, it should be abundantly sprayed from the spray gun.
5. When spraying the soil once a week, you can add citric acid to the water at the rate of 2 g per liter of water.
6. Water for irrigation should be at room temperature.
7. The development of shoots should be closely monitored. If new young leaves appeared - this is a good sign, then the shoots are rooted.
8. Now they can be transplanted into a large container, as well as gradually wean from greenhouse conditions.
9. The first time the film can be removed for 2 hours so that the plants gradually get used to at room temperature and humidity. This procedure should be done within 5 days. At the same time, the airing time should be increased by 1.5 hours every day.
10. After about a week, you can start transplanting. Young azalea should be transplanted into a large container (10 cm in diameter), and expanded clay should be placed at the bottom. Land for planting can be used the same as for rooting. The transplant is made together with a lump of land.
11. All subsequent care should be carried out, as well as for an adult plant.
12. If buds appear, it is better to cut them so as not to increase the load.

Watch a video on how to care for azalea at home:

Cuttings are considered the easiest and most affordable way to propagate azaleas. Since it requires frequent pruning, and the formation of a bush, planting material will always be enough. Given the capricious nature of azaleas and the low survival rate of cuttings, this is always true.

Watch the video: How to propagate an Azalea from cuttings. (November 2024).