Understanding Bonsai Propagation
Propagation is an essential aspect of Bonsai cultivation. While most Bonsai trees are propagated through cuttings, others can be propagated through seeds, grafting, air layering, and division. Propagation allows you to create bonsai trees from suitable parent plants, ensuring that your garden remains filled with your preferred species.
Bonsai Propagation through Cuttings
Bonsais propagated through cuttings are quicker to mature compared to other propagation methods. Cuttings require a healthy plant branch with active growth buds. To propagate bonsai from cuttings, trim off the lower leaves and leave two to three leaves on the top. Place the cuttings in a rooting hormone to hasten the roots’ growth, and place them in a soil-filled container. Keep the container in an environment with bright, indirect sunlight and water them regularly.
Bonsai Propagation through Seeds
Propagation through seeds is ideal if you want to create multiple bonsai trees of the same species. Bonsai trees grown from seeds take longer to mature than those propagated through cuttings. To propagate bonsai using seeds, scarify the seeds’ outer coat, then soak them overnight in water. Plant the seeds in a soil-filled container and place it in a well-lit area. Water them regularly to ensure proper growth.
Bonsai Propagation through Grafting
Grafting involves the uniting of two plant species to create a new bonsai variety with the desired traits. To propagate a Bonsai tree through grafting, select a healthy rootstock plant with suitable roots and an individual plant with desirable leaves or flowers. Cut both plants and unite them depending on the grafting technique and keep them in a moist environment. Bonsai propagation through grafting is ideal for producing unique species with distinct traits.
Bonsai Propagation through Layering
Propagation through layering involves creating roots on the branches before removing them from the main plant. To propagate a bonsai through layering, cut a branch from the parent plant, wounding it, and cover the wound with hormone rooting powder. Bury the wounded section in a soil-filled container and ensure it is regularly watered. Once roots develop, cover the roots with more soil, and continue taking care of it until ready to be separated from the parent plant.
