Apple tree propagation methods at home by cuttings in summer, plant care

Many summer residents have a desire to increase the number of fruitful trees or renew old plants. In order not to spend extra money on purchasing new seedlings, it is enough to know how to propagate an apple tree and get new trees. In order for the new apple trees to take root and bear fruit, it is important to observe a number of nuances of cuttings and create suitable environmental conditions.

Pros and cons of breeding apple trees from your garden

In practice, gardeners meet with a number of both positive and negative aspects of apple propagation. Among the advantages are the following:

1. The ability to propagate trees at home and outdoors in several ways.
2. Increased apple harvest at no additional cost.
3. No need to use specialized equipment.
4. Reproduction of any variety of apple trees, including columnar.

Growing technology with air layers

To breed apple trees without using the grafting procedure, you can use an alternative method. The use of air layers makes it possible to form new roots in the area of ​​tree damage.

The part of a branch capable of fruiting is considered to be a layering. The principle of reproduction is to artificially stimulate root growth. To propagate a tree through an air layer, you need to follow a simple instruction:

• choose a branch with a diameter of 1.5-2 cm with a young green growth;
• wrap the free space on the branch with electrical tape to create a greenhouse effect;
• at the beginning of the summer period, make cuts on the branch and build a container with a stimulating solution around;
• leave the container for a couple of days, then drain the liquid and fill the free container with a moistened substrate;
• at the end of August, cut off a branch with a pruner and transplant into open soil.

Sprouting an apple tree from seeds

The easiest way to propagate apple trees is to germinate from seeds. To do this, in the fall, seeds are extracted from fresh fruits and thoroughly washed in water. Having dug holes 2 cm deep, the seeds are laid out at a distance of 20 cm from each other. From above, the seed is covered with a layer of soil and mulch, so that the seeds lie in the ground until spring.

Throughout the next season, the seedlings require regular supervision. Sprouts with small leaves and weak stems are sifted out.A year later, the growing seedlings are dug up and planted in a permanent place. During transplanting, you need to pinch the root so that the tree does not grow too tall and begins to bear fruit faster.

It will take several years to grow a seed-planted tree, which is a major drawback. However, apple trees grown from scratch have a longer lifespan and yield higher yields.

Instructions for propagating a tree by cuttings

The process of grafting apple trees is carried out without grafting trees. Cuttings can be prepared at any time of the year, with the exception of winter. Cuttings harvested at the beginning of summer form roots faster, since they do not have time to completely lignify. For grafting, you should select the growths that have appeared on the tree in the current year.

Cuttings are cut in the early morning, when the maximum amount of moisture accumulates inside. The length of the separated parts should be 15-20 cm. Taking into account the likelihood of damage to the seedlings, it is recommended to cut several pieces. The propagation process by cuttings is carried out according to the following instructions:

1. The stalk is disinfected and kept in water in a lighted place until the roots grow 5-8 cm long.
2. The seedlings are transferred to the ground and fertilized to stimulate growth.
3. The plant is regularly looked after, watered and loosened the soil so that the twigs take root.
4. The area around the trunk of the growing tree is covered with a thin layer of mulch to retain moisture.
5. By the beginning of autumn, seedlings are formed from the cuttings, which are planted in a permanent place.

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Features of removing an apple tree from green cuttings

Another method of propagation by cuttings involves the use of green branches. To do this, it is enough to cut a green stalk and place it in water for the development of the root system. It is important to prevent the sprouts from rotting at the base, therefore, when aging in water, the following points must be considered:

• when rooting a branch, it is better not to change the water, but periodically add as it evaporates;
• the liquid should be heated to room temperature;
• in one container, only one sprout is rooted at the same time;
• for the accelerated development of the root system, stimulating preparations can be added to the water with cuttings.

After the roots have grown back, the seedlings should be transplanted into a nutrient potting soil mixture for growing. Not earlier than after 2 years of growth, the apple tree is transplanted to a permanent place.

The main advantage of propagation by green cuttings is that seedlings can be obtained over a long period of time, since green shoots appear on apple trees during the spring and summer period. Planting cuttings allows you to renew productive tree varieties and significantly increase yields.

Breeding technique from a broken branch

If the reproduction of the apple tree by cuttings did not bring the desired result, you should resort to the breeding method from broken branches. The method consists in artificial stimulation for the formation of a root system.

For reproduction, it is necessary to find a shoot in winter and break it in such a way that the bark does not burst. Then the branch is fixed in a bent position by winding the fracture with the reverse side of the electrical tape to the wire. In mid-March, the tape must be removed and the branch cut off at the fracture. On the lower base, it is enough to leave 4 lateral buds and make a cut at the top of the shoot.

In order for the branch to begin to form roots, you should put it in a container with a solution of 2 tablets of activated carbon and melt water. The container should be on the windowsill to expose the branch to natural light.Within 3 weeks, a callus influx forms at the base of the branch, protecting the sprout from bacteria, after which the roots gradually grow.

You can transplant a seedling into open soil when the roots reach a length of 6 cm.

The method of growing a new apple tree from a broken branch differs from others in the increased likelihood of sprout survival. From a rooted sprout in the ground, it is possible to grow a full-fledged seedling, ready for transplanting to a permanent location.

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Removing the apple tree with eyes (budding)

Reproduction of apple trees by budding involves grafting with a single bud - an eye. Since tree grafts are sensitive to the penetration of bacteria and dirt into the cuts, the instructions for making budding should be followed exactly. To grow new apple trees through budding, you must:

1. Select a stock on the tree and make a T-cut on its surface with a sharp blade.
2. Bend the ends of the bark to the sides to partially remove the top layer of wood. Insert a part of the cutting with the bud and bark into the hole.
3. Tightly fix the free part of the bark on the edges of the kidney attached to the incision. Tie the bud and wood gently to the trunk surface. It is important to keep the growth bud free while fixing the cortex.
4. After a week, check how well the created eyes are taking root. In the positive case, the peephole acquires a greenish color.

To achieve a successful result, budding should be performed in the early morning or evening when the heat subsides. It should also be borne in mind that the survival rate of the eyes depends on the season, and it is more likely to be observed in the autumn period.

The main advantage of budding is the ability to get fruits from one apple tree that have different taste characteristics and other properties. The disadvantages include the impossibility of budding in rainy and dry weather, as well as the inexpediency of breeding new trees in spring.

Basic tips for growing an apple orchard

Regardless of the chosen method of breeding apple trees, you should adhere to some recommendations that will help achieve the best result. To increase the number of fruitful trees and get a high-quality harvest, you should pay attention to the following tips:

1. Cultivation of apple trees by cuttings is not performed in the spring, since the cuttings begin to grow actively and draw out nutritious juices from themselves. As a result, the sprouts dry up and do not take root in the ground.
2. It is better to prepare cuttings for propagation in summer, when they are filled with useful trace elements from fertilizers.
3. On trees growing for more than 5 years, it is allowed to do several grafts at once. It is recommended to fix the scion at a distance from the trunk.
4. Apple trees with grafts must be constantly looked after, fed, watered and pests removed. For proper tissue adhesion, stable moisture is required even with occasional rains.

Following simple rules will help get rid of problems when breeding trees. Minor nuances of tree propagation can significantly increase the number of fruits ripening per season.