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Many gardeners are convinced that pine propagation at home is possible only by seeds. However, this is absolutely not the case, the tree can also be propagated by cuttings or grafting. The article provides detailed instructions for propagating this amazing coniferous plant in all possible ways.
Features of reproduction of different types of pine
First of all, you need to decide on the type of pine that you plan to grow. Different species have their own characteristics of reproduction. So, for example, when propagated by branches, the European pine takes root best of all. However, in the climate of central Our Country, Scotch pine and Siberian cedar pine are most common.
When propagating by seeds, it should be borne in mind that the seeds of different types of pines differ in their appearance. Scotch pine seeds have small wings that allow them to move in the air. Siberian pine seeds do not have wings. They consist of a core covered with a dense woody shell.
Is it possible to grow a pine tree from a branch
Reproduction of many coniferous plants is possible with the help of a small twig. Pine can also be grown at home from cuttings. This process is not fast and rather laborious, but the final result cannot but please conifer lovers.
Pine reproduction in this way is considered asexual. This means that in the process of reproduction, new gene variations are not formed. The grown plant as a result of the genetic material is completely identical to the parent.
How to grow a pine tree from a branch
The most favorable time for propagating pine branches with twigs is the summer period, from mid-June to July. By this time, the branches are already sufficiently formed, but are still in the phase of active growth. Thanks to the long daylight hours during the summer season, the cuttings will have time to take root. In warm regions, pine propagation by cuttings is possible in spring.
Reproduction by branches in autumn or winter is not effective, because in a short daylight hours, the cuttings simply do not have time to get enough of daylight. They will take root more slowly, but artificial lighting will help speed up the process.
Selecting the right branch
Growing pine from a twig is considered a method that is great for beginner gardeners. To propagate a tree in this way, it is necessary to find a wild-growing pine tree and cut off a young branch from it that appeared this year. The stem of the selected branch should be covered with lignified or semi-lignified bark. The younger the cut branch, the faster the process of formation of the first roots will occur.
The branch must be carefully cut with a pruner so that its size does not exceed 10 cm. The branches located on its lower part are removed to free this area for future roots.
Preparing for planting
When propagating pine cuttings at home, the rate of rooting of branches largely depends on the composition of the soil. The more fertile it is, the faster the root system will form. The ideal soil is a mixture of peat and river sand, in a 1: 1 ratio. As a drainage, semi-rotted pine bark or coarse-fiber peat is added to the soil.
Since peat contains a huge number of microorganisms, some of which can have a detrimental effect on the health of a tree, the soil mixture must be disinfected. This can be done by watering it with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
Shortly before rooting, the branches are treated with a root formation stimulator. At the same time, the more lignified the branch is, the more concentrated stimulating solution is needed.
As a container for planting, you can use an ordinary small wooden frame. Cuttings are also sometimes planted in a greenhouse. Both the frame and the greenhouse, at the same time, after planting, are covered with a film.
Rooting cuttings
When growing pine by cuttings during planting, you can not immerse the branch immediately into the soil, this negatively affects the survival rate of the plant and root formation.
Algorithm for planting a pine cutting:
- fill the container with prepared and moistened soil mixture;
- using any solid object, make a small depression in the soil;
- place a branch in the recess;
- press and compact the soil layer;
- for prevention, spray with a solution of fungicide;
- cover the planting with a film to speed up the process of root formation.
Light penumbra will be comfortable for sprouting branches, so it is advisable to close them from direct sun. Watering should be moderate, as needed. Pine cuttings should receive enough moisture, but if it is more than required, the root system will gradually begin to rot.
Closer to August, pine branches planted in frames form roots. The complete rooting process takes from 1,5 to 4 months.
How to plant a pine tree from a branch in open ground
When growing pine from a branch, a year after planting, the cuttings become ready for transplanting into open ground. The more powerful and strong the roots are, the more likely and faster they will take root in the new soil and begin active growth. To check the readiness of the root system of a pine branch for transplantation, the topsoil is slightly dug up.
The place for planting a rooted cutting should be half shaded. Planting work is carried out in the spring on a cloudy, non-hot day. Sandy soil with low acidity is optimal for pine.
Algorithm for transplanting a pine branch into open ground:
- Prepare a pit for planting with a depth of 1 m. The width and length of the pit should be several centimeters larger than the size of an earthen coma.
- Lay out the bottom of the pit with a drainage layer of gravel or expanded clay about 20 cm thick.
- Fill the hole with a soil mixture of 1/3 river sand and 2/3 soddy soil.
- Place the seedling in the hole, cover with the remaining soil substrate, tamp and water.
- It is mandatory to mulch the near-stem area immediately after transplantation.
As can be seen from the description, planting pine cuttings at home is not difficult.
Reproduction of pine by layering
Reproduction of pine by layering is not performed. This method is used, as a rule, for the propagation of multi-stem, bush plants. Reproduction by layering is suitable for coniferous crops from the cypress or yew family.
Pine propagation by grafting
Pine propagation by grafting is preferred mainly by experienced gardeners, but beginners can also try their luck.
Plants are grafted during spring sap flow or in mid-summer. Spring vaccination is carried out on last year’s shoots, summer – on young branches of the current year. Pine grafting is carried out in two ways: in the butt of the core and cambium on the cambium.
Algorithm for pine propagation by the butt method with a core on the cambium:
- Cut off all the needles and lateral buds from the rootstock. The length of the cleaned part of the pine branch should be 2-3 cm longer than the length of the grafted cutting.
- A cutting 8-10 cm long is also freed from needles, leaving only 8-12 bunches near the upper bud.
- After the stock and scion are prepared, you can start grafting the pine. To do this, using a sharp blade on the handle, you need to make an incision passing through the middle of the core. It should start at the top, just below the bunch of needles, and end at the bottom of the pine branch.
- Further, using a blade, in the place of the rootstock, it is necessary to separate a strip of bark of a longitudinal shape, equal in size to the cut on the prepared cutting. It is important that the cut passes through the cambial layer.
- As a final step, the cutting is joined to the exposed cambium of the rootstock and then tied tightly.
When propagated by the butt method with cambium on cambium, the survival rate of plants reaches almost 100%. Breeding algorithm:
- Release the axial annual shoot of the stock, which has reached the age of 4-5 years, from needles, in a section 5-10 cm long.
- Trying not to damage the cambium, cut off the bark on the rootstock and scion in strips 4-6 cm long. It is important that the cuts on the rootstock and scion are of the same length and width.
- Connect the cuts, then tie tightly. The healing process usually takes 4 to 5 weeks.
- After the cuttings finally take root and begin to stretch into growth, the strapping is removed.
- With the help of a pruner, the top of the axial shoot on the rootstock is cut at the same time, as well as the ends of the shoots on the first whorl. Due to this, the growth of the scion is greatly enhanced.
- Over the next 2-3 years, all whorls should be gradually removed from the rootstock.
How to grow a pine cone
Pine cones open closer to the second year after their appearance on the branches. By this time they can be used for propagation by seeds.
The collection of pine seeds is usually done in the fall. Until the end of winter they are stored at temperatures from 0 to +5 oC. With the arrival of early spring, the seeds are ready to be planted in planting containers at home. After the snow thaws on the bayonet of a shovel, they can be immediately sown in open ground.
Conclusion
Pine propagation is a process that every gardener can do. The main thing is to follow the rules of this or that method exactly. Beginning gardeners can start their practice by propagating from seeds or cuttings. Experienced gardeners can bring out decorative forms with the help of grafting.
