How to propagate Prunus mume by cuttings

Time for cuttings of elmleaf plum

Prunus armeniaca is often propagated by cuttings in late spring and early autumn, using branches grown in the current year or last year.

The substrate for cuttings of Prunus armeniaca

It is difficult to get an ideal cutting medium for home cuttings. It is recommended to use a prepared and sterilized cutting medium. Medium-coarse river sand will also work, but it must be rinsed with clean water several times before use.

Do not use sea sand or river sand from saline-alkali areas as they are not suitable for the growth of flowers and plants.

Steps of cuttings of elmleaf plum

If you choose young branches of the current year, when the plant is growing vigorously from late spring to early autumn, select thick branches of the current year as cuttings.

After cutting the branches, select the sturdy parts and cut them into 5-15 cm long sections, each with more than 3 leaf nodes.

What needs to be noted when cutting cuttings is that the upper cut should be cut flat about 1 cm above the top leaf node, and the lower cut should be cut obliquely about 0.5 cm below the bottom leaf node. Both the upper and lower cuts should be flat.

If you choose old branches from last year, after the temperature rises in early spring, select last year's strong branches as cuttings, and each cutting usually retains 3-4 nodes.

Management of Prunus armeniaca after cutting

The suitable temperature for rooting of cuttings is 20℃-30℃. If it is lower than 20℃, it is difficult for the cuttings to take root. If it is higher than 30℃, the cut ends of the cuttings are easily infected by pathogens and rot. The higher the temperature, the greater the proportion of rot.

After cuttings, the relative humidity of the air must be maintained at 75%-85%. The basic requirement for rooting cuttings is that before the cuttings take root, they must be fresh and tender and able to carry out photosynthesis to produce rooting substances.

After cuttings, 50%-80% of the sunlight must be blocked. After the roots grow out, the shading net can be gradually removed. On sunny days, remove the shading net at 4 pm every day and cover it before 9 am the next day.