How to root Araucaria

Araucaria root cuttings: selection of root spikes

Healthy mother plants for root spikes will ensure that the root spikes grow well and are not prone to disease, so the mother plants for root spikes must be strictly selected. Generally, trees that are 5-10 years old and suitable for greening seedlings are used. The mother plants must also be strong, free of pests and diseases, with dark green leaves and dense branches and leaves.

Araucaria root cuttings: collecting root spikes

April and May every year are the best time for cuttings, and you should take this opportunity to collect root spikes.

Collect the remaining roots after the seedlings are dug up, or dig some roots of the Araucaria foreignofolia that are shallower than the soil surface as material for cuttings.

Araucaria root cuttings: preparation before root cuttings

Root spike processing plays a very critical role in the growth of the plant, so the root spikes must be processed in time after being collected.

Choose roots with a cross-section of 0.8-1.2 cm, cut off about 10 cm, and place them in a cool and ventilated place to encourage the roots to evaporate excess water and prevent root rot. Generally, they can be dried in the sun for about a week.

The substrate and environment for root cuttings must meet certain standards. It is best to choose pure river sand with a sieved particle size of 0.5-1.0 mm as the cutting substrate, which has the advantages of good air permeability and drainage.

Before grafting, use bricks to build a cutting bed, and determine the size of the cutting bed according to the specific number of cuttings.

Place the substrate in the cutting bed and level and compact it.

Araucaria root cuttings: method

The best method for cuttings is row planting. Keep the plant spacing at 4 cm and the row spacing at 6 cm. It is best to measure with tools to avoid too dense cuttings that would hinder plant growth.

Use a small shovel to dig an oblique trench in the soil with a depth of about 7 cm. Insert the root spikes about two-thirds into the sand bed, and then place the root spikes neatly in the trench at equal distances of 4 cm, with their heads facing up. Then cover them with soil and compact them.

Araucaria root cuttings: post-rooting management

Just after the roots are planted, they need to be watered thoroughly, and the surrounding temperature should be maintained at 15℃-25℃, the relative humidity of the air at 70%-80%, and sufficient light and slight shade should be guaranteed. If the cuttings are maintained in such an environment, it is easy to form adventitious roots and adventitious buds, and the survival rate will be greatly improved.