![]() Otherwise, proceed to the next section and propagate via air layering instead. With simple layering, you need to have young branches growing near the ground to make this work. Big leaf and vine are two of the common species that will do this. Many maples, though not all types, will form adventitious roots wherever a lower branch comes in contact with the soil. But if you absolutely love a tree or have a sentimental attachment to it, you probably want to propagate a clone. Seeds are unpredictable, which can be part of the fun. If you want an exact replica of an existing tree, layering is the way to go. At that point, you can treat it as any other young tree. If not, wait a few more weeks before testing again.įor cuttings propagated in the ground, a sure sign that your cutting took root is the appearance of new foliage. It typically takes a few months for new roots to form and you don’t want to dig up the plant to see if they’re forming, so just wait about six weeks and then give the cutting a gentle tug. Once roots have formed, you can transplant the new tree if you started your cutting in a container. You should also water the soil frequently enough that it feels like a well-wrung-out sponge. That means ensuring that it receives at least six hours of sun per day with some protection during the warmest part of the day. Now, you need to support the cutting as it takes root. Firm the soil up around the cutting and water well. The cutting should sit with about a third of its length below the soil and two-thirds above. Cut away all the leaves except a few at the top.ĭip the cut end in rooting hormone and place it in the hole that you made. Look for a young, pliable branch and cut a piece about 10 inches long at a 45-degree angle. Poke a hole in the soil using a pencil or your finger. Standard potting soil will work, or average garden soil with lots of well-rotted compost mixed in. You want to propagate your cuttings in loose, loamy, rich soil. Take at least twice as many cuttings as you hope to grow so you aren’t left in the lurch if some of them fail.įirst, fill a six-inch container or prepare a spot in the yard where you’re going to grow the plant. Growing maples from stem cuttings is fairly straightforward but they can be a little difficult to root. Transplant when the seedlings have at least four true leaves. Keep the seedlings in a spot that receives direct sunlight for about six hours per day. At that point, you can reduce the amount of water you provide slightly. Water well and keep the medium moist until the seedlings emerge. Seeds should be sown about half an inch deep. If you prefer, you can sow two seeds per pot and remove the weaker seedling after germination. Prep the soil by working in lots of well-rotted compost.Īlternatively, fill six-inch pots with a soilless potting mix and sow one seed per pot. You can also plant the seeds directly in the garden in the fall and let nature do the work. These generally need about three months.īecause most seeds should be planted in the spring, start your stratification work in the early winter. Many sugar, red, and silver types don’t require stratification, but some do. If you’re not sure if your species requires stratification or for how long, try reaching out to your local extension office.Ī broad rule of thumb is to stratify bigleaf seeds for about three months. The amount of time that the seeds must be kept cold varies depending on the species. ![]() If you’re planting a species that requires cold stratification, place the seeds in a moist mixture of equal parts sand and vermiculite in a resealable plastic bag or jar, and put it in the refrigerator. The seeds are ripe and ready when they either start falling off on their own, or have turned a brown color with a papery, dry texture.īreak off the wings and soak the seeds in room temperature water for 24 hours before planting. You can purchase seeds or collect your own from an existing tree. Many hybrids are sterile or won’t grow true, but most cultivars and species plants will grow well from seed. It is possible to grow some varieties from seed. Growing from seed is less common in home gardens, but totally doable if you’re patient and plan ahead. Air layering is common where people are attempting to restore populations of trees that have been decimated by fire or pests. There are lots of ways to propagate maples. There are trees that grow everywhere from USDA Hardiness Zone 2 to Zone 10. Today, the most commonly cultivated maples in North America are the red, silver, and Japanese species, but we’re starting to see a lot more options out there. ![]() ![]() Europeans use maple to build all kinds of furniture and in flooring because the wood is hard, long-lasting, and relatively straight. Of course, they also used the wood to make tools, boats, and paddles, and the leaves of larger-leafed species as temporary containers. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |