Propagation by cuttings is the easiest way to rejuvenate medlars. With good planning, you increase the chances that the cuttings will develop roots. Once this step has been taken, proper care is important.
Propagation via cuttings is quite promising
Trim cuttings
Cut off pieces of shoots from the previous year about 30 centimeters long. The branches should not yet be lignified, but should be well mature. Use germ-free pruning shears with sharp blades to create a clean cut. Cracked areas provide an entry point for pathogens. The cuttings can be taken all year round. Spring is ideal for the young plants to grow well until winter.
The cutting should have at least three pairs of leaves. Remove the excess pairs of leaves at the base and cut off buds and flowers so that evaporation is not too high. To reduce water loss, halve or roll up large leaves and secure with a rubber band. When cutting back and shaping, clippings are produced from which you can cut cuttings.
set cuttings
The cuttings are placed in a sufficiently large planter. A permeable mixture of peat and sand or perlite is suitable as potting soil. Alternatively, you can use potting soil that you mix with sand. Insert the shoot tips about three to four centimeters deep into the soil and water the soil.
To protect against evaporation, put a plastic bag over the planter and fix the bag with a rubber band. Put the jar in a shady and cool place. The soil should always be moist but not wet.
maintenance
It takes several weeks for the cuttings to root. Not every shoot roots successfully. Depending on the rooting strength, the cuttings must be transplanted so that they can spread better. When repotting, give the substrate a long-term fertilizer. Only water the young plants as needed when the top layer of soil has dried out. If you want to grow a compact plant, it is advisable to remove the central shoot early. You create a high trunk by shortening the side shoots in good time.
In the first winter:
- Place young plants in a mild place
- water regularly
- protect against evaporation