As part of the vegetative propagation of maple trees, home gardeners complain about the stubborn rooting and high failure rate of seedlings. This guide explains how to skilfully navigate these horticultural cliffs. How to pull maple offshoots correctly.

Maple scions are best pruned in early summer

Cut and prepare offshoots - this is how you do it right

Early summer is the best time to propagate a maple by cuttings. Take a pair of sharp, disinfected scissors and cut off as many shoot tips as possible that are 10 to 15 cm long. Make the cut just below a leaf knot. How to properly prepare the cuttings:

  • Defoliate each cutting in the lower half
  • Make a 2 cm wound cut at the end of the shoot opposite the leaf knot
  • Dip cuttings in rooting powder (e.g. Clonex) and leave to rest for 10 minutes

Prepare a separate seed pot for each cutting. Commercial growing soil, coconut hum or a mix of sand and potting soil are suitable as a substrate. As a special motivation for rapid rooting, fill in a thin layer of compost beforehand. An offshoot is simply stuck into the poor soil so that the roots strive to get to the nutrient buffet at the bottom of the pot.

Tensed air promotes rooting - this is how it works

After the preparation, another measure comes into focus to inspire stubborn maple offshoots for root growth. A microclimate of tense air allows the roots to sprout. That is how it goes:

  • Put a plastic bag over each growing pot
  • Two to three wooden sticks act as spacers
  • Important: No contact between plastic and offshoot
  • Tie bags together to create a warm, humid climate

It is more convenient and more promising to create tense air in a greenhouse or in a large bowl with a transparent lid. It is important to note that you air the cover daily so that neither mold nor rot can form. On this occasion, please check the moisture content of the substrate in order to water when the surface has dried.

tips

Seedlings of Asian maple species feel better off in slightly acidic soil. In contrast to their European counterparts, slotted maple and Japanese maple prefer a pH value of 5.0 to 6.5. Therefore, add a little rhododendron or azalea soil to the substrate when growing and planting.

Category:

Trees