Are you a gardener, looking to plant new and unique trees in your garden, or looking to impress neighbors with greenery?
Podocarpus can be a perfect addition to your small yet beautiful garden. Its leaves are arranged in a spiral and bloom candle-shaped flowers, giving a different and beautiful look to your garden. And, you can just graft one easily, as I did.
But if you’re confused about how to grow podocarpus from cuttings, continue reading.
Growing Podocarpus From Cuttings
Growing a Podocarpus is very simple, as anyone can just cut a branch, put it into the water until roots grow, and transfer it into the soil. However, you need to consider multiple aspects while planting it. Let's understand them in detail.
1. Timing
Timing is the first factor to consider, as the shrub cannot be planted in all seasons. Podocarpus is a coniferous evergreen, so it grows better from hardwood or semi-hardwood cuttings. And the best time to pot the cuttings is during the months between July and August.
However, you can plant them during the dormant season too (like in summer or spring), provided they get the right care.
2. Preparing The Equipment
You won’t need any special equipment when grafting a branch. But make sure to sterilize your tools before cutting to prevent the risk of any fungal or bacterial infection. In this regard, you can wash the knife and pruning shears using soap and hot water.
3. Selecting The Cutting
When selecting the cutting area, ensure to choose the right one to avoid any problems in the future. An ideal cutting must have lots of healthy foliage and lush, no fruits or flowers, and its thickness should be like a pencil.
Once you’ve identified the stem, use your pruning shears to cut it. The best time to do this is in the early morning, when the stems are firm and moist.
4. Potting
Before you plant the stem in the soil, make sure to place it in water until the formation of roots and then transfer them.
Firstly, clear the needles at the bottom of the stem using a utility knife and use the rooting hormone talc to remove the shredded portion. Then, remove the leftover talc by gently tapping the cutting.
Next, make a planting hole for the cutting, which must be deep enough to accommodate half of its total length. Insert the cutting into the hole, cover it using soil, and spray some water at the bottom.
Final Words
Few of the things are to be taken care of for ensuring the plant’s well-being. These include maintaining an average temperature, proper light, and moisture during the rooting process.
Furthermore, you should plant the cuttings in an area that is at least 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and receives a lot of light. And if you want to grow the plant indoors, place it near a window, which will receive an adequate amount of sunlight.