Vinegar trees are hardy plants that spread rapidly in the garden. If a targeted propagation is desired, this can be done in two ways.
Propagation via cuttings is very promising
Suitable for propagation:
- cuttings
- root cuttings
cuttings
The biennial shoots of the vinegar tree are ideal for the propagation of cuttings. Cut off the shoots in winter and remove the shoot tip. Then divide the shoot into cuttings that are about 15 centimeters long. The number of leaf nodes is important. Each cutting needs at least two nodes so that it can sprout later. The more knots the better.
Cut the bottom of the cuttings at an angle. Trim the top of the cuttings with a straight cut. The cuttings are placed in a plant pot that has been filled with a mixture of sandy soil and coconut fiber. The cutting should be halfway in the substrate. It needs a light and cool place to grow and sprout. The optimal temperature is six to twelve degrees Celsius. The substrate must be kept constantly moist.
By spring the cuttings will have developed roots. In summer you can plant the young plants in the desired location. Cultivation in a bucket is ideal, as the vinegar tree spreads uncontrollably outdoors. Vinegar trees love a sunny location, but also thrive in semi-shade.
root cuttings
On a frost-free winter day you can cut off small parts of the root suckers. Roots one centimeter thick are ideal. Divide the sections into two to four inch sections. Cut off just enough to leave the mother plant with two-thirds of its roots.
Like the cuttings, the root pieces are cut straight at the top and diagonally at the bottom. Each cutting is individually placed in a pot so that it is completely surrounded by the substrate. The same mixture that is used for the propagation of cuttings is suitable as a plant substrate.
Cover the substrate with a thin layer of gravel. Place the plant pot in a cool place and water the cuttings sparingly. In the spring, they move to the open ground. Cuttings can be planted out in late summer and autumn. Compared to the substrate, the trees are undemanding.