Is it also possible to propagate cypress and thuja trees DIY? With these expert tips, it will be very easy.
Nurserymen in the area always teach step-by-step how to propagate plants. A fun and natural method, it allows you to propagate different types of plants without having to buy new ones. Propagating cypress and thuja isn’t difficult, although a minimum of green thumb is certainly required to accomplish the task. How do you do it? Gardeners have their say.
Cypress and thuja: what are the characteristics?
Cypress and thuja are evergreen shrubs, often and readily present in gardens as decoration. They are ideal plants for an elegant and refined hedge. This evergreen species reaches up to 60 meters in height, with an intense and slow vertical development.
Propagating the thuja cypress
In ancient times, this plant was widely used by American Indians for the construction of canoes, houses, and totem poles. The main characteristic of this wood is that it is strong and very light.
For its cultivation, it prefers fertile soil that retains moisture and limestone. Stagnant water is an enemy of the plant, although the soil should always be well-drained and enriched with pumice or sand.
Propagating cypress and thuja with ease
Cypress and thuja trees are generally propagated by seeds, or you can choose the vegetative method. Gardeners prefer propagation from cuttings in spring. This saves time for germinating individual seeds and also preserves the main characteristics of the main plant.
Experienced gardeners focus on how to do this DIY, using classic video tutorials. However, it is always advisable to seek practical advice from professionals in the field so that you can complete the propagation without any damage or errors.
Cypress propagation
It’s good to know that cuttings are harvested in spring, preferably from late March through April. After winter, the shrubs start growing again, and taking a few cuttings stimulates them and strengthens the roots.
The ropes should be about 12cm long , with a future diameter not exceeding 8mm. One-year-old shoots are much better, with natural branches that can be used as cuttings. The product should be placed in a container filled with water, until the water develops its roots. Immediately after, it should be put in the ground for its development. The development process needs some advice from nurserymen:
If the cutting is fresh, the cut should be made obliquely;
Where the cut is positioned, it is good to remove the bark by leveraging;
Leave the shoots, removing only the needles.