Wonderful Barberries. Reproduction

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Bright bushes of barberry Thunberg at first glance attract attention, amaze with variegated foliage of various shades. Having planted one bush on my site, I want to replenish the collection with beautiful specimens every year, to propagate existing varieties

Reproduction methods

There are several ways to increase the amount of planting material for Thunberg barberry:

• vegetative (cuttings, layering);

• seed.

The latter option will give a slight splitting across parent forms. Thanks to this method, breeders select the best specimens, creating new hybrids.

Green cuttings

In mid-June, fresh growths are cut with the capture of a hard piece of bark 10-15 cm long at an angle of 45 degrees. The lower leaves are removed completely, half of the upper ones are left.

Then they proceed in two ways:

• grow roots in a stimulant solution;

• treated with root powder just before planting.

Seedling beds are prepared. Humus, sand are introduced, mixed with garden soil. The upper layer is covered with clean river sand 4-5 cm high. In a loose substrate, the roots more easily overcome the resistance of the soil, branch more actively.

Rows are cut every 20 cm. They are spilled with water, holes are pierced with a sharp stick, setting a distance of 10-15 cm between plants. At an angle, cuttings are inserted into the ground into the prepared "holes". Squeeze the soil around the stem from all sides. They put labels with the name of the variety.

Water containers are distributed around the seedlings. Cover the greenhouse with foil through the arcs. On hot days, plantings are shaded with non-woven material or the cuttings are placed in partial shade. Water it 1-2 times a week with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

After 1-1.5 months, new shoots appear with successful rooting. The yield of planting material, subject to agrotechnical conditions, is 90-95%. Plants are fully consistent with the parent variety.

Bushes are kept in the beds for 1-2 years. For the winter, young people are covered with non-woven material through boxes or covered with leaf litter. Cuttings will begin to bear fruit at 3 years of age.

Reproduction by layering

A more laborious method, with a smaller yield of planting material. Next to the adult bushes, a groove is digged with a depth of 10-15 cm. Moisten with water. Annual branches located closer to the ground are neatly bent down. Pre-scratch the bark from the bottom side, sprinkle with root powder. They are laid in a trench, pinned to the ground with a wire. The top is taken out, tied to a peg.

Top covered with a loose mixture of sand, peat or humus. A piece of black nonwoven fabric or film is applied. The abduction site is located in the shade. The soil is kept moist throughout the summer.

By the fall, good roots grow on the shoot. Separate the young from the mother plant with a sharp pruner. They are planted in a permanent place or on a seedling bed until spring.

Seed reproduction

In mid-October, the largest ripe berries are harvested. Separate the seeds from the skin and pulp. Disinfect in a solution of potassium permanganate.

When sowing in autumn, a garden bed is prepared by mixing humus, sand, garden soil, bringing it to a loose state. Cut grooves 1-1.5 cm deep. Spill with water. After 1, 5-2 cm, the seeds are laid out in a row. Fall asleep with soil, compact by hand.

In the spring, cover with a film through the arcs. Containers with water are installed inside to increase humidity, increase seed germination.

When 3-4 leaves appear, the seedlings are thinned out, leaving the strongest, most beautiful specimens or excess plants dive to another place, setting distances in a row of 8-10 cm.

Care as for adult bushes. Timely watering, feeding, removing weeds, loosening the soil. At the end of August, the film is gradually removed. Fall asleep with foliage before frost.

Within 2 years, seedlings are grown in the beds. Then transferred to a permanent place. Bushes bloom for 3-4 years.

When sowing in spring, long-term stratification of the seeds is required. They are placed in wet sand. Store in a refrigerator or cellar at a temperature of 3-4 degrees for 2-4 months. The hatched seeds are planted in the beds or in separate cups in the greenhouse. At the end of summer, they are carefully planted from containers in open ground for growing.

Any novice gardener can handle the reproduction of Thunberg barberry. With minimal labor costs, in 2 years you will receive a sufficient number of seedlings that can decorate the garden. You will be able to make a gift to relatives and friends.