How to propagate Potentilla?

Cinquefoil or Kuril tea is a perennial plant that can be propagated in several ways: with the help of layering, seeds, cuttings and division of rhizomes. Each option provides the ability to produce babies with the same characteristics as the mother plant. But it should be understood that each method has its own timing and distinctive features. We will dwell on this in more detail in our article.

Let's take a closer look at the features and timing of the main methods of reproduction of Potentilla.

• Rhizome division Is one of the most popular breeding methods for Kuril tea. Parts are separated from the root system of the mother plant for further planting. Cut off parts should be planted faster in the ground. Experts recommend using this method in the spring, optimally from the second half of April to the beginning of May. But it is allowed to use this method in the fall - in September.

• Propagation by cuttings - This is a difficult method that requires certain knowledge and skills, however, it cannot be called effective. Its essence lies in the fact that the green shoots of the plant are cut into cuttings, they must all be of a specific size. They are planted in a specially prepared container with soil, then they create a kind of greenhouse and wait for the formation of roots.

• Using layering, you can also propagate Potentilla. Cuts are made on the layers, and then they are sprinkled with soil. Over time, roots form on the layers. But babies can be transplanted only after one year. It is customary to produce this method from late July to early August.

• Using seeds You can quickly and easily propagate Kuril tea. Of course, the seeds of the plant are harvested after flowering in the fall. They must not only be collected, but also cleaned, dried and placed in paper bags for storage. And in the spring, the seeds can be used for sowing.

Quite often, the reproduction of white cinquefoil is carried out using cuttings. Of course, you should understand that this takes a long time, so be patient. Before planting cuttings in the ground, they should initially be prepared and rooted. Only the creation of the right care and comfortable conditions will allow the cuttings to form roots.

Usually, by the middle of summer, the shoots of the plant are characterized by elasticity, they ripen perfectly. Be sure to take into account the time of day and weather conditions during the harvesting of cuttings. If the weather is sunny and warm, then it is worth cutting the shoots from the mother bush in the early morning, even before sunrise. If the days are cloudy, then grafting can be done at any time of the day.

It is worth being very careful so that the cuttings of Potentilla do not dry out and wither. All preparatory work should be done and only after them proceed to cutting green shoots. They must be immediately carefully treated with special agents to stimulate growth and disinfect. After that, they are immersed in a container with earth.It is very important that the time interval between cutting the shoots and planting them in the soil does not exceed 48 hours.

So, before cutting the cuttings, you should correctly select the shoots on the mother bush, then the cutting process will be as effective as possible. It is worth noting that the cuttings should be the same in size as well as in appearance. Almost all the shoots of the parent bush are suitable for cutting. It is imperative to leave 3-5 cm from the base of the branch and only then cut. All leaves are removed from the cuttings. Each stalk should contain 2 to 4 knots, so they usually range in length from 8 to 12 cm.

After cutting, the cuttings should be aligned along the lower edge, and then form bundles with twine, while 25 or 50 pieces can be combined. After that, they are treated with a growth stimulating agent, which will contribute to the rapid emergence of roots. Such products are sold in specialized stores. The instructions for the tool provide a detailed description of its use. It is worth noting that some drugs are diluted in cold water, while others, on the contrary, require boiling water or an alcohol solution.

If you wish, you can make your own stimulating solution. To prepare it, you will need about 20-40 grams of sucrose or glucose, which should be diluted in 1 liter of water. You can even use edible sugar, having previously dissolved it in water. The cuttings should be dipped in such a composition for about 12-24 hours, while the temperature should not be more than +25 degrees. Potassium permanganate is used to disinfect the edges of cuttings, since it has effective disinfecting properties. For its preparation, ammonium sulfate (2 g) and manganese (50 g) are used per 1 liter of water.

The next stage is planting the cuttings in the soil mixture. Usually, a large container is used, which has drainage holes in the lower part and is filled with nutrient soil. Potentilla shoots can be planted directly into the soil, while giving preference to a place in the shade. In this case, each stalk must be protected from external factors - for this, it is covered with a glass jar or a plastic bottle. If buds appear on the cutting during rooting, then they should be cut off immediately, because then the cutting will distribute its forces to the formation of the bud and roots, while the latter will get a little, which should not be allowed.

If the stalk is lignified, then moisture enters the plant exclusively through the roots, therefore, the soil should be irrigated regularly. The best rooting can be achieved if the cuttings are sprayed regularly (3-4 times a day). Preparing the nutrient substrate should be done in advance. It should consist of lime peat, coarse sand and humus. Phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen are added to it. Usually, transplantation to a permanent place occurs after 6–8 weeks, because during this time the shoots become independent plants with a developed root system.

Before planting cuttings in open ground, they should be hardened and prepared. Hardening can be done in the following ways:

• while the cuttings are in the room, ventilation should be done by opening windows or vents;
• you can lower the temperature in the room by using artificial fog;
• cuttings can be taken out for a short time in containers outside;
• if the cuttings are in a greenhouse, then the cover should be removed.

Thanks to the above methods, cinquefoil cuttings with roots can be prepared for the effects of climatic and natural factors.This kind of hardening should be carried out 2-3 weeks before planting the cuttings in the open ground.

The optimal choice for autumn is lignified annual shoots. Cuttings from 10 to 12 cm in length are obtained from them after cutting them, then they need to be buried in the soil, while only 1–1.5 cm should remain on top. The upper bud should not be covered with earth. Until roots appear on the handle, it is necessary to create shading conditions. For example, you can "paint" the glass of the greenhouse with a lime liquid, which will create reliable protection from direct sunlight. The optimal time for transplanting is cloudy or rainy weather. With proper care, the cuttings will reach standard sizes in just 1–2 years.

It is worth collecting plant seeds at the end of August, although you need to build on the weather conditions first of all. After collecting the seeds, you can sow them immediately or dry them thoroughly for further storage.

This method is represented by the following algorithm of actions:

• the soil should be prepared - thoroughly loosened and leveled with a rake;
• the seeds must be distributed over the entire surface, then press down a little;
• cover the seeds with a small layer of nutritious soil, and then water well;
• small sprouts from seeds should appear as early as the second or third week after planting;
• a month after planting, the seedlings must be planted, while maintaining a distance between the bushes of 40 cm;
• after transplanting, the seedlings should be well watered, sprinkle the soil with needles or sawdust;
• only after 4–5 years is the plant considered an adult.

This method of reproduction of Potentilla is the most effective, since it gives the maximum number of shoots. It does not require special skills and knowledge.

If you are looking for the easiest way to propagate Kuril tea, then you should pay attention to the option with layering. It is usually used in spring or summer. Initially, it is worth choosing a mother plant, then loosen the soil and fertilize it with sand and peat. Strong shoots should be selected, already stiff, but still flexible, while they should be close to the soil. They should be cleaned of leaves and all side branches. After that, you need to make a neat incision and press the shoot to the soil, cover it with soil. To ensure the fixation of the shoot, press it with a stone or make a loop of wire.

It is recommended to direct shoots from the bush in different directions, but the distance between them should be more than 10 cm. If you cut off the tips of the branches by about 7-10 cm, then the buds will awaken faster. If you use cuttings from the buds, then you can get several shoots at once. After about 10 days, the roots should already appear. But at this time, you should not separate the baby from the mother's bush. The plant should get stronger. Separation of layering can be done in the fall, although experts recommend waiting until next year.

In the fall, it is necessary to cut off the layers from the mother bush using a pruner. Vertical shoots with their own root system and at least one shoot are suitable for transplantation. So with just one cut, you can get up to 6 seedlings. Strong plants can already be planted in the ground, but weak ones need growing. If we compare the method of propagation by layering with cuttings, then the first option is more effective. This type of vegetative propagation is often used in dry conditions or where it is not possible to water the plant regularly.

Already in the spring or warm autumn, you can deal with the division of the Potentilla bush.The plant must be at least 4 years old. Initially, it is worth removing the bush with a pitchfork, while not damaging the roots of the plant. A shovel or a hatchet is used to separate healthy roots, but weak roots should be planted back in the ground and watered. Each part should have 2 or 3 buds. For better root formation, a special agent should be used to activate their growth. If the roots are rather thick, then they must be cut into pieces of 5-7 cm in size.

If the plant has thin roots, you need to place the cuttings horizontally, and then sprinkle with soil. You should first prepare a container with nutrient soil, spread parts of the roots over the substrate, while the distance between them should be 3-5 cm. Sprinkle the roots with a 1 cm soil layer on top and watered well. A box with such seedlings in winter is stored in a cool room or in a greenhouse without heating, as an option, a basement or garage can be used. Already in the spring the plants will take root, after which they can be safely planted in the open air, but the distance between them should not exceed 40 cm. This method gives Potentilla seedlings of excellent quality.

Lateral shoots of yellow Potentilla, located both underground and above it, are called offspring. They are formed from "dormant" adventitious buds, which are presented in the zone of the root collar. They usually form near the mother plant at a distance of 0.5 to 7 meters. Such shoots usually appear in the first and second decade of summer.

In order to somehow speed up this process, young offspring are transplanted into pots with a sandy soil composition or into open ground. You should definitely use drainage, because it is he who will quickly form and strengthen the root system. The shoots should be cut from the bush at a distance of 2 cm from the trunk - this way the skeletal roots will remain unaffected. They should be dug around at a distance of 20 cm, separated from the roots of the mother plant and already transplanted to a permanent place of growth. You should not resort to an autumn transplant, as the plant may not survive the winter. It is worth transplanting offspring in the first decade of May.

Young saplings of Potentilla need extra care to strengthen and grow.

• It is necessary to create optimal conditions for growing the plant. First of all, this concerns moisturizing. If you do not adhere to regular watering, the plant may die.
• The distance between the bushes should be more than 30 cm.Lime gravel must be poured at the bottom of the hole for planting, and the rest is covered with nutrient soil, which should include the following components: sand (1 part), earth (2 parts), humus (2 parts) and mineral fertilizer (150 g).
• When planting a plant, it is important that the root collar rises above the soil. The soil requires strong moisture and compaction. Spreading straw, bark or sawdust around the plant will help prevent the soil from drying out quickly. In the summer, it is worth spraying the sprouts in the evening.
• During the growth of seedlings, weed removal, loosening and feeding of the soil should be organized, and also do not forget about watering and mulching. Top dressing should be done three times a year - in late spring, summer and early autumn.

In the next video, you will learn about a unique method of rooting cuttings in water, which can be used to propagate Potentilla.