A mulberry tree can be propagated in two ways, using either seeds or cuttings. Learn how both methods work here.
The mulberry tree is not only recommended for your balcony or garden because of its attractive appearance, but also because of its popular fruit, which can be harvested after about ten years. If you have already taken a liking to the plants and you can manage with their care, you do not have to buy expensive young progeny to keep several plants - you can also raise more offspring from your own mulberry tree or cheap seeds of the plant, your own Offer more variety at home. But how do you propagate the mulberry tree without damaging it?
Propagating mulberries - 2 methods
Once the plan to propagate the mulberry tree has been decided, you can choose between two different approaches.
- One option is to grow mulberry seeds into young plants and then plant them in the garden or in containers to keep your own mulberry tree company. This method would take a little more time and is also more risky, since the seedlings often die and are generally a bit more sensitive.
- The other way to propagate a mulberry tree is to divide it into several plants by cuttings. You don't have to wait that long for a stable plant and you don't have to buy any seeds from the plant.
Growing multiple mulberry trees with seeds
Once you have got hold of some mulberry tree seeds, it is best to plant them in May to grow seedlings and then young plants. First of all, a suitable plant pot is required, as is the right substrate. In principle, any potting soil can be used that has a proportion of sand, contains some lime and is also particularly permeable to water - soil containing peat should be avoided.
The seeds must be spread over the soil and then covered with some more soil, as they only thrive in the dark. The jar should be exposed to the sun, semi-shaded light is also fine.
Tonote that the seeds must not be stored too dry, so regular watering after the first watering is a must. However, overwatering and waterlogging should not occur, as this would cause the sensitive seedlings to mold and die.
The first mulberry tree seedlings usually appear after two to three weeks and can be selected after a further waiting period. It should be remembered that mulberry trees need a lot of space and should be transplanted regularly, even if they are kept in pots.
The young plants must be protected from the cold during the first winter in order to survive and to be transplanted into the garden after further growth. Although fully grown mulberry trees are immune to colder seasons of up to minus 20 degrees Celsius, young trees of this type cannot withstand quite such cold temperatures.
Propagating mulberries by cuttings
You can also proceed in two ways when propagating cuttings. Both ways deliver a young tree that is already stable enough to be planted in the garden after a short time.
Classic propagation by cuttings
• first a shoot of the mulberry tree is cut off• this should be about 15 to 20 centimeters long
• now all leaves are removed except for the front pair
• the bark at the cutting point and a little further above it is scraped off
• the cutting can now be placed in a container with water or loose soil
• if the cutting develops its first roots and new pairs of leaves or shoots, it has the propagation works and the young plant can be potted until it has gained sufficient strength
Soil cuttings without prior separation from the tree
• a branch of the mulberry tree is bent down and planted in the ground (with the shoot tip)• the whole thing should be secured with tent pegs
• if the bent branch forms roots or new shoots, can be separated from the tree and potted
In both approaches it is very important to water sufficiently. In addition, the cutting should always be repotted according to its size so that it can quickly gain strength and size. If the cutting is planted in the garden as a young plant, it should also be noted that it may need a support stake to be prepared for all weather conditions.
In any case, you need a sharp knife or a sharp one to propagate the cuttings Secateurs to leave the interfaces clean. Alsowith cuttings of the mulberry tree, it is true that these cannot tolerate backwater - therefore poured water should always be able to drain off well. If there is any doubt as to whether the moisture is too high, it is worth carefully lifting the cutting out of its soil in order to replace it with fresh soil.
If some of the roots do not look he althy - for example if they are affected by mold - they can be cut off with a small knife to allow the mulberry tree to continue growing he althily. Fertilizing a cutting after rooting is also worthwhile to help strengthen the trunk of the future tree early on. It will soon be better able to withstand the weather and frost. By the way, again, it's okay to use ordinary potting soil that's low in peat.