Osmanthus is a deciduous, evergreen tree known for its elegant, green branches and leaves. When in bloom, it emits a sweet, fragrant aroma that makes it highly desirable. The flowers are not only beautiful but also edible and can be used in various culinary and cosmetic applications. In China, Osmanthus is considered an important ornamental and economically valuable tree species. Due to its rarity and difficulty in grafting, cuttings are the most commonly used propagation method. Using tender shoots for cutting propagation offers advantages such as easy material collection, simple operation, and high survival rates. Below are the key techniques involved in this process:
**Cutting Time**
The best time to take cuttings is from mid-May to mid-July and again from mid-September to mid-October. During these periods, the shoots have stopped growing, and the branches are rich in nutrients. This increases the chances of successful rooting, as the temperature is also suitable for root development.
**Nursery Preparation**
It's recommended to use well-drained, loamy soil from rice fields as the nursery site. Prepare the beds by deep tilling, ensuring a bed width of 120 cm, a height of 25 cm, and a ditch width of 40 cm. The soil should be finely broken up, the bed surface kept flat, and the ditches clear. Cover the bed with a 50 cm high plastic film and a 180 cm high shade house with about 35% light transmission to create a controlled environment.
**Cutting Selection**
Choose healthy, vigorous mother plants free from pests and diseases. Select semi-woody shoots from the upper part of the crown that are one year old. Cut the scions into small bundles at the base and bring them back to the nursery using wet toilet paper to keep them moist.
**Cutting Treatment**
Cut each shoot into 8–10 cm sections, leaving two leaves, which are then halved. The top cut should be straight, while the bottom should be slanted. Soak the base in a 105 ppm naphthalene acetic acid solution for 1 minute, followed by a 1-hour soak in 10–4 ABT rooting powder. Afterward, remove the cuttings and prepare them for planting.
**Cutting Process**
Sort the cuttings by diameter and insert them into the bed with a 5 cm spacing between rows and 10 cm between plants. Use a wooden stick to make the hole, then insert the lower two-thirds of the cutting into the soil and gently compact the surrounding area. Finally, spray the bed with a 0.01% carbendazim solution to disinfect and maintain moisture.
**Post-Cutting Care**
**Watering and Shading**
Keep the bed moist when the soil or beads inside the shed become dry. Provide shade in the early morning, maintaining a humidity level above 85% and a temperature between 18°C and 30°C. Adjust the cover or increase misting if conditions become too hot or dry, and reduce misting or close the shed if it’s too cool or humid.
**Spraying and Soil Aeration**
Combine watering with spraying every seven days, applying a 10–4 carbendazim solution once to prevent bacterial infections. Regularly loosen the soil to ensure good aeration and avoid root rot due to poor oxygen supply.
**Pruning and Fertilizing**
Remove any new growth at the base of the cuttings promptly to conserve energy. Every 10 days, apply a 0.2% urea or potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution during watering to promote root and shoot development.
**Removal and Transplanting**
In summer, remove the shade houses in October and transplant the seedlings to the main nursery. In autumn, remove the covers in early spring and transplant them in the following summer. Cuttings grown in the bed during summer and autumn can reach heights of 30–50 cm by winter, making them ready for planting in the nursery or garden.
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