Whether for yourself or as a gift, anyone who wants to propagate a strawberry tree has two options. We explain how both work.
Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) in the garden? Then you are among the lucky ones who can enjoy this unusual plant. You will surely get admiring looks and will be asked from time to time how long strawberries have been growing on trees. Propagating the plants is a very special challenge. If you succeed, you will be able to give away true gardening happiness or enjoy several specimens yourself.
The fairly high prices for strawberry trees available in specialist shops also speak in favor of considering propagating the ornamental plants. We would now like to tell you how the strawberry tree can be propagated and how you can grow he althy and strong young plants.
How to propagate the strawberry tree?
Strawberry trees can be propagated by cuttings or by seed. The propagation of cuttings is quite uncomplicated. Patience and gardening skill will be required for propagation from seed.
Propagate strawberry tree by cuttings
In order to be able to propagate the strawberry tree from cuttings, you must already have a well-developed plant. Then it is quite easy and uncomplicated to obtain cuttings and grow them into new plants.
» Propagation of cuttings step by step
- Cutting
- Prepare the cuttings
- Put the cuttings in the planter
- Place cuttings bright and warm
Late summer is the best time to take the cuttings. Pruning is done on older branches that are already half woody. The cutting should be about 15 centimeters long. Make sure there are enough leaves. The cutting should have at least four pairs of leaves. Only the top two leaves are left on the shoot. Each cutting gets its own planter. Use potting soil that can be enriched with compost.
To promote rooting, the planter is provided with a plastic hood. The cutting should get a bright window seat, but not inface the blazing sun. The temperature should be around 18 degrees. Propagation appears successful when new shoots appear on the cuttings. This is the guarantee for successful root formation. Now watch the cutting. When the roots grow out of the bottom of the pot, it's high time to place the young plant in a larger planter.
Propagate Strawberry Tree by Seeds
If you collect your seeds yourself, you can put them back into the ground almost immediately. Commercially available seeds should first be soaked in warm water for about a week. This has a simple background. Since the seeds are used to different seasons, they must first be exposed to a cold stimulus. This gives them the signal for the start of the new season and therefore for germination. Anyone who fails to do so will have little luck and will probably wait in vain for the hoped-for germination.
There are also a few things to consider when sowing. The seeds are light germinators. So they must not be covered with soil. The planter should not be placed in full sun. A shady location on the north window or in the greenhouse is ideal.
➔ Tip: Be careful not to let the soil dry out.
Growing from seeds step by step
- Sow fresh seeds immediately
- Water purchased seeds beforehand
- Do not cover seeds with soil
- Place planter in the shade
- Rearing at about 20 degrees
- Do not let potting soil dry out
» What happens after germination?
First, the seedlings are left in the planter and continue to be watered regularly. The planter can now move to a semi-shady place. The seedlings must still be protected from direct sunlight. If other pairs of leaves have formed in addition to the cotyledons, the young plants should be placed in larger plant pots. When the plants have developed well, they are placed in the planter, where they will spend the next few years, because the strawberry tree does not tolerate being transplanted several times.
What should be considered when repotting?
Strawberry trees tend to grow slowly. In the first few years, repotting will be unavoidable. Older plants, on the other hand, do not want to move and should be allowed to remain in the tub or outdoors.
The best time for repotting is early spring. Choose the new plant pot a lot larger than its predecessor so that the plant has enough space and does not grow every yearhave to repot. The planter should have sufficient drainage holes so that the irrigation water does not accumulate in the plant pot and waterlogging occurs. An effective protection against waterlogging is drainage. To do this, place coarse sand, gravel or shards of pottery on the bottom of the vessel. Carefully place the strawberry tree in the new planter, fill with fresh soil and water the plant well.
If perennial strawberry trees are to be moved outdoors, place the planter in the desired location a few weeks before planting. In this way, the plant can acclimate well and will tolerate the unwanted move better.
➔ Tip: Transplanting is extremely stressful for the plant and should be avoided if possible. Older plants are no longer transplanted.
The advantages and disadvantages of the propagation methods
| Propagation method | Advantages | Disadvantages / heyday |
|---|---|---|
| Cuttings | ✔ simple and uncomplicated ✔ good growth guarantee ✔ you quickly get full-fledged plants | ✘ good developed plant must be present ✘ Cuts on the plant possible |
| Sowing | ✔ several plants can be grown ✔ inexpensive | ✘ tedious ✘ time-consuming |