One mahonia is not enough for you? We will show you ways and instructions on how you can multiply mahonia in a targeted manner.
Mahonies are easy-care small shrubs that can be used in many ways. Whether planted in a bed, in a bucket or as a hedge, the shrub is an eye-catcher with its golden-yellow flowers and pretty foliage in autumn and winter. If you want to multiply your mahonia (mahonia), you will find all the necessary information about the methods of propagation and the necessary procedure here.
What methods of propagation are common?
- Cuttings
- Division
- foothills
- Sowing
❶ Mahonia multiply with runners
Mahonia (Mahonia aquifolium) tend to reproduce themselves and thus relieve the hobby gardener of some of the work. The plants form underground runners. If these push themselves to the surface, new plants will form. If you carefully separate the small plants and plant them in the desired location, you can grow as many new plants as you like.
In return, however, you are required if you do not want to multiply the plant. To ensure that the mahonia retains its growth form and that the numerous runners that remain in the ground do not create a disorderly undergrowth, runners that are not needed must be removed regularly. If the plants are still small, this can be done by hand.
Propagation by stolons in keywords:
- Plant forms suckers by itself
- Remove foothills carefully
- Plant the young plant at the desired location
❷ Propagating mahonia by division
Anyone who already has a well-developed mahonia can propagate the plant by dividing it. To do this, the mahonia must first be completely removed from the ground. Shake off the soil and look at the roots. This type of propagation is a good opportunity to remove diseased or dried out root segments. If the root ball appears firm and compact, this speaks for the he alth of the plant and you can start propagating immediately. The root ball is divided for this.
» Tip: Usea sharp spade, such as the Amazon bestseller, to create smooth cutting edges and not unnecessarily injure the plant.
Divide the root ball into two roughly equal parts. If the plants are remarkably large, three or four sections can also be obtained. In any case, make sure that there is enough root material on each section so that the plant can root well. The individual sections are now immediately planted again. The new location should already be prepared accordingly so that the plant does not dry out.
Propagation by division in keywords:
- Dig up plant
- Expose Roots
- Examine root ball
- Share plant
- Immediately transplant sections separately
❸ Propagation by cuttings
The propagation of cuttings is quite easy with this robust plant, because the cuttings do not have to be grown indoors, but can be planted outdoors in the ground. Cuttings are preferably cut in September. At the same time, the pruning can be used to obtain cuttings.
The cuttings should be 15 to 20 centimeters long. Cuttings are obtained from one-year-old wood and should not be completely lignified. The cuttings are freed from leaves and buds in the lower area. If leaves and buds are left on the cuttings, this could trigger rotting processes in the soil. The cutting is put into the ground outdoors. A partially shaded location is ideal. The cuttings should be watered evenly. The soil must not dry out. However, the soil must not be too moist either, otherwise rot will also occur.
» Tip: If the first shoots appear on the cuttings, it can be assumed that the propagation was successful and the roots have started to form.
Propagation by cuttings in keywords:
- Cutting
- Prepare the cuttings
- Put the cuttings in the ground
- Keep cuttings evenly moist
- Wait for budding
❹ Propagation by seeds
If you don't have a mahonia yourself yet, you can easily grow this small shrub from seeds. Here it is an advantage to know a mahonia owner and to ask him to give up some seeds. This makes cultivation easier for the hobby gardener.
» Tip: If the seeds are harvested before they are fully mature, they can be sown immediately.
People who buy seeds will have to pay attention to a few things. Fully mature seeds that have been stored for a longer period develop into cold germs, which means they inhibit germination. In order to break this, the seeds must be stratified.
Put the seeds in moist sand and place in a shallow planting bowl, which is covered and placed in the refrigerator. You can also use a bag. This must also be closed. The seeds should now be stored in the refrigerator for two to four weeks.
The seeds are then placed in seed soil and covered thinly with soil. The planter is provided with a cover made of glass or foil. The warm, humid climate favors germination. However, mold formation is also promoted in this environment. Therefore, it should not be forgotten to air the planter briefly every day to enable air exchange. The planter is placed bright and warm. The first seedlings appear after about three months.
Propagation by seeds in keywords:
- Win Seeds
- Sow fresh, immature seeds immediately
- keep older seeds in the fridge for a few weeks
- Place seeds bright and warm
- Water seeds regularly
- Air cover to avoid mold
- Wait for germination
Types of mahonia propagation with advantages and disadvantages
| Propagation method | Advantages | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| foothills | ✔ The plant takes over this type of propagation independently. ✔ The small plants can be separated from the mother plant and planted immediately and cultivated as an independent plant. | ✘ If propagation is not desired, the runners should be removed regularly. ✘ If the small plants are left in the ground, unattractive wild growth will result. |
| Division | ✔ The division can be done quickly and easily. ✔ A full-fledged plant can be obtained immediately. | ✘ The roots may be injured when dividing. ✘ The plant must be sufficiently developed to be able to divide. |
| Cuttings | ✔ Cuttings are obtained during pruning of the plant. ✔ The cuttings can be grown outdoors. | ✘ A plant must be present to produce cuttings. ✘ Not every cutting will root. ✘ Moisture in the soil often leads to mold growth. |
| Seeds | ✔ Seeds can be taken from existing plantseasily won. ✔ Several plants can be cultivated. | ✘ Only fresh and not yet fully mature seeds can be planted directly in the ground. ✘ The germination time is about three months. |
If you have decided to propagate by seed, you will need to be patient. You may be surprised at the result. Mahonies propagated by seed are not of a single variety. With the other propagation methods described, you get a plant with the same characteristics as the mother plant. Plants propagated from seeds can differ from the mother plant, have differently shaped leaves or develop a different growth habit. So propagation by seeds remains exciting.