What is Paulownia and how to propagate it

1. What is Paulownia?

Paulownia is a plant of the genus Paulownia in the family Scrophulariaceae. It is also called white-flowered Paulownia, Paulownia paniculata or large-fruited Paulownia. It is a common deciduous tree. Its bark is gray and gray-black, smooth when young, and has longitudinal lines when old. The leaves are opposite and ovate. It likes light and warm environment, but has poor cold resistance. Its origin is in my country, but it was introduced to Japan, Vietnam and other countries very early on, and is now distributed all over the world.

2. How to propagate Paulownia

1. Sowing and seedling raising: Sowing and seedling raising are usually carried out between February and March. Germination and disinfection are required before sowing. You can soak the seeds in warm water for about two days, and then sow them when the seeds turn white. This way the germination rate will be higher. Note that after sowing, the soil should be covered with a thin layer of soil to keep it warm and moist.

2. Root burying for seedling cultivation: Roots should be collected every year after leaf fall and before germination. Select lateral roots two to three centimeters thick from large trees with relatively strong growth. The length should be controlled at 15-20 centimeters. After cutting, dry them in the sun for two or three days, and then bury them directly or obliquely.

3. Cutting seedling cultivation: In addition to the above two methods, cutting seedling cultivation can also be used. The specific method is to cut one-year-old strong branches as cuttings, and the length should be controlled at about 20 cm. After processing, just insert it directly into the matrix, and the survival rate is relatively high.