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Propagation of pear cuttings allows you to grow your own root seedling. Material taken from a varietal tree guarantees the preservation of all characteristics: resistance to diseases, frost, taste, fruit size, keeping quality and transportability. Such pears have an advantage over grafted trees – they suffer less from the high occurrence of groundwater.
Is it possible to propagate pear cuttings
Most often, gardeners propagate varietal pears by grafting a cutting or eye. If the stock and scion are poorly compatible, seedlings with low frost resistance and poor immunity are obtained. The yield is worse, does not correspond to the declared one.
It is possible to solve the problem by growing own-rooted pear seedlings from cuttings. Advantages of own-rooted pear:
- durability;
- the tree is well restored from the root growth in case of damage to the aerial part;
- high winter hardiness;
- preservation of all varietal characteristics of the pear.
Varieties suitable for growing pear cuttings
Pear varieties are distinguished by their ability to propagate by cuttings. Rooting, in addition to varietal characteristics, is influenced by many factors:
- tree age;
- escape power;
- timing of cuttings;
- the quality of the root formation stimulator.
The percentage of rooting cuttings is higher in small-fruited pears. According to gardeners, there are no problems with varieties:
- Autumn Yakovleva;
- Lada;
- Elegant Efimova;
- Muscovite;
- The memory of Zhigalov.
You can experiment with any other variety, but the result is not guaranteed.
How to grow pear seedlings from cuttings
The result of vegetative propagation of pears by cuttings depends on their quality and the correct choice of substrate for rooting. For boxes, the best option is a 3-4 cm layer of washed river sand, sprinkled on a bed of sphagnum moss. When rooting cuttings in a greenhouse, a layer of leaves is added down.
The process of root formation in the substrates is going well:
- peat with sand in the ratio 1:1;
- peat with sand in the ratio 1:2;
- peat with perlite in proportions 1:1;
- peat with vermiculite in proportions 1:1.
Preparation of cuttings
The result of rooting pear cuttings depends on the timing of cuttings, harvesting time (morning, afternoon, evening), weather. Root formation is affected by the length and thickness of the cutting. Thin branches are not suitable, they take root worse. The length is determined based on the size of the internodes. If short, then 3-4 pieces are left on the pear handle, if long, then 2 is enough.
Pear cuttings in autumn
In autumn, annual lignified pear branches are taken for reproduction. They are harvested during the dormant period, when the leaves have already flown around. Pros of propagating pear cuttings in autumn:
- leaves are absent, there is no evaporation of moisture;
- no need to create greenhouse conditions for the rooting period.
Pear branches growing in the lower part of the crown are taken on cuttings. They root much better and faster than cuttings taken from the top of the tree. Cuttings are cut from branches from 15 to 20 cm long:
- lower cut – at an angle of 45 °, done under the kidney;
- the upper cut is straight above the kidney.
The cuts are different, so that there is no confusion about where the pear handle has the top and where the bottom is. For winter storage, take a small container, fill it with a damp, light substrate. The cuttings are tied into a bundle, a tag is hung with the name of the variety, and the lower ends of the cuttings are stuck into the ground. For wintering they are sent to a bright, cool room. In the spring they are transplanted to the school.
Propagation of pear cuttings in summer
It is important to choose the right time for breeding. The optimal period for this does not exceed 2 weeks. Green pear cuttings are recommended when the intensity of shoot growth decreases. If the spring is late and protracted, the cuttings are harvested in late June – early July. Gardeners in the central zone of the Federation propagate pear with green cuttings in June (second half).
To achieve good results, you must follow a number of rules:
- correctly cut the cuttings;
- use growth regulators (root formation);
- prepare a high-quality substrate;
- create optimal conditions in terms of temperature and humidity for rooting green pear cuttings.
With proper pear cuttings in the summer, the cuttings have 2-3 internodes, 2 leaves, smooth cuts made with a sharp garden knife. One sharp (lower) is directed towards the kidney, located directly below it. The second is made horizontally, it is made above the upper kidney.
For rooting equip a greenhouse. It should be closed with a frame with glass, polycarbonate or film. The substrate is poured with a layer of 30 cm. The cuttings are deepened, leaving only 2 eyes outside.
In summer, plant care consists in regularly moistening the soil with a spray bottle, and ventilating the greenhouse. For the winter, young seedlings are sheltered from frost with sawdust, peat or spruce branches.
How to root a pear cutting at home
You will need a container with a height of at least 35 cm. The first layer can be filled with black soil mixed with humus and mineral fertilizers. Its thickness is 20 cm. The second layer is well-washed river sand (coarse-grained, medium-grained). Its thickness is 5 cm.
Both layers are very moisturizing. The lower tips are dipped into the Kornevin solution, then buried 2 cm into the substrate. Plants create greenhouse conditions. Tighten the container tightly with foil. Care for cuttings growing at home:
- airing (1 time per week);
- spray irrigation.
The film is removed after 2 weeks. By the 30th day, the rudiments of roots are formed in the seedlings.
Landing in open ground
By autumn, the seedlings are ready for transplanting into a greenhouse. It is held in the second half of September. They are taken out of the box along with a clod of earth. Transplanted into prepared pits, try not to damage the roots.
The substrate is moistened, mulched with a layer of humus, sawdust or peat. For the winter, young seedlings are covered with spruce branches and 2-3 layers of lutrasil. In a greenhouse, they are grown for 2-3 years, after which they are transplanted into the garden to a permanent place.
Propagation of pear by air layering
Experienced gardeners advise beginners to learn a simple way to propagate pears by layering. Young 3-4 year old trees are suitable for this method. It takes 2 years to grow a seedling. It is better to root pear layers in a plastic box.
Inside it is lined with a black film so that moisture does not evaporate. Fill the container with fertile soil (garden soil, humus, peat). A healthy 2-year-old branch is found on a tree, a box filled with earth is placed under it.
The branch is bent to the box. For rooting, it must be immersed in the ground. Before doing this, the bark is notched on the cutting (2-3 notches). The injured area is powdered with Kornevin. They sink into the ground. Pinned with a staple of thick wire. Sprinkle with soil.
The procedure is carried out in the spring. By autumn, roots will appear, but a seedling ready for transplanting will form only after a year. The list of mandatory measures for the care of layering:
- regular monitoring of soil moisture;
- mulching with compost;
- in the heat – the construction of a shelter from the sun;
- in the fall – warming the box with covering material or spruce branches;
- in winter – snowing.
At the age of 2 years, the seedling is separated from the mother tree, using a lopper or garden saw. Rooted cuttings are taken out of the box, keeping a clod of earth on the roots, planted in a previously prepared hole.
Branches growing high are difficult to bend down. They get out of the situation simply – rooted in a plastic bottle. To do this, cut off the bottom and top parts. Make a longitudinal incision along the entire length. Prepare a mixture of fertile soil with sand (2: 1).
An incision is made on the shoot, stepping back from the top by 2-3 internodes. To the place where the roots will form:
- put on the bottle so that the incision is exactly in the middle;
- fill it with a mixture;
- wrap with cling film;
- fixed with tape.
Propagation of pear seeds
Rootstocks are grown using seeds. To do this, choose zoned, frost-resistant varieties. Take fully ripened seeds:
- They are placed in a gauze bag, subjected to bubbling for 2-3 days, inhibitors that slow down germination are washed out.
- A wet mixture of sawdust and peat is poured into the bag, seeds are sent there.
- Until the appearance of sprouts, the package is kept in the refrigerator at t + 3 … + 5 ° C.
- After hatching, reduce the temperature to 0 °C.
In early spring, germinated seeds are sown in a greenhouse. Planting scheme – 8 (10) x 8 (10) cm. Sprinkle with a layer of soil of 3-4 cm. Summer care for seedlings comes down to watering, removing weeds.
How to propagate a columnar pear
Seed propagation of columnar pears is rarely used in practice. Gardeners prefer to plant cuttings on stock. In the middle lane and in the Urals, a wild forest pear is used, the Ussuri Dichka is used in the Far East.
Engaged in the cultivation of own-rooted columnar seedlings from green shoots. Practicing autumn pear cuttings. Columnar varieties on the stock from Dichka begin to bear fruit only in the 5th year. Their crown must be thinned out annually, remove thin side shoots.
Conclusion
Propagation of pear cuttings allows you to grow high-quality root seedlings. Trees grown from them give the first harvest in 3-4 years. The cutting rules are simple. It’s pretty easy to follow them. Expert advice will help you master them.
