Propagation of plum rootstocks by hardwood cuttings
2004
Szecskó, V. | Hrotkó, K.
Plum rootstocks in Hungary are usually propagated by seeds, and if clonal rootstocks are to be used a cheap vegetative propagation method is needed. Hardwood cuttings taken in the middle of winter, as is usual for easily-rooting ornamentals, did not root well under our climatic conditions. The success of hardwood cuttings is determined by many factors. The time of cutting collection seems to be very important. According to the literature, the beginning and the end of the dormant season is optimal for collecting cuttings. Finding the optimal collection time for the Hungarian selection Fehér besztercei, St. Julien GF 655/2 and Marianna GF 8-1 was the aim of our trials. Three rootstock cultivars were selected for the experiment: St. Julien GF 655/2; Fehér besztercei, a Hungarian selection; and Marianna GF 8-1, a clonal stock that roots easily. Hardwood cuttings were collected throughout the dormant rest period, at 3-4 week intervals, for three years. After cold storage, they were planted into field conditions. The optimal collection time, i.e. when rooting percentages were highest, showed some variation among the years. In general, we can assume that the optimal time for Fehér besztercei is the middle of December. However, in some years, acceptable results are also obtained in the second half of February. For St. Julien GF 655/2, the ideal time is October. For Marianna GF 8-1, the favourable period is longer, from October to December, and in some years, February as well.
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