Mulberry trees are deciduous plants that bear sweet and juicy fruits. Propagating mulberry tree is an easy yet fulfilling process for plant enthusiasts. The propagation process can be done in various ways such as by using hardwood cuttings, softwood cuttings, layering, or via seed germination. In this blog post, we will discuss the different methods of propagating a mulberry tree.
Hardwood Cuttings
Propagation by hardwood cuttings is one of the most common methods used to propagate mulberry trees. It involves taking cuttings from mature wood during winter when the tree is dormant. Here’s how to do it:
1) Select healthy branches with few leaves on them.
2) Cut a 6 – 8-inch long branch at a node where the previous year’s growth stops.
3) Remove all the leaves except for two or three at the top of each cutting.
4) Dip each cutting into rooting hormone and then plant it into soil.
Softwood Cuttings
A softwood cutting should be taken during spring when new growth has already begun but hasn’t hardened off completely yet. Here’s how to do it:
1) Look for young shoots about six inches long that have not started hardening off yet.
2) Collect 4-6 cuttings from these shoots.
3) Trim away any extra leaves leaving only two or three uppermost ones intact
4) Dip each cutting in rooting hormone powder before planting it into soil.
Layering
This method involves bending over a low-growing branch towards the ground and covering its bottom part with soil without detaching it from its parent plant until roots grow out from it.. Afterward, you can sever the newly rooted shoot from its mother plant to create another independent specimen.
Seed Germination
Propagation through seed germination may take years before getting results since some seeds need stratification (a cold period), require specific environmental conditions like warmth and humidity, and may not grow true to the parent tree. Nevertheless, it’s an excellent way to propagate a variety of mulberry species that are difficult to propagate by other methods.
1) Collect ripe fruits from healthy mulberry trees.
2) Extract the seeds from the fruit pulp.
3) Clean off any debris or flesh sticking on them with water
4) Soak the seeds in room temperature water for 24 hours before sowing them into individual pots filled with well-draining soil.
5) Cover each pot with plastic wrap to maintain humidity, place them in a warm location where sunlight can reach them but doesn’t directly hit their surface until they germinate (which may take up to two months).
6) Water each plant regularly, removing its cover as soon as you notice new leaves appearing.
Conclusion
In summary, propagating a mulberry tree is an easy process that requires little effort when done correctly. Whether through hardwood cuttings, softwood cuttings, layering or seed germination- all techniques provide viable results depending on which suits your interest best. With patience and careful attention given during propagation efforts– one day you too can enjoy your very own home-grown Mulberry Tree!
