The whitebeam is very popular, not least because of its blaze of colour. The easy-care plant can be propagated in various ways.
A whitebeam (Sorbus) can become an eye-catcher in the home garden. The plants, which grow as trees or shrubs, bear reddish apple fruits and present themselves in colorful autumn colours. The plants are easy to care for and not very demanding in terms of location and substrate. There are various ways of propagating the whitebeam, which will now be presented in more detail.
The whitebeam can be propagated using the following methods:
- Roots
- Cuttings
- Sticks
- Seeds
❍ Propagation by root suckers
Beams can be propagated quickly and easily with the help of root suckers. The prerequisite for this, however, is to have an already well-developed plant. Because whitebeams grow slowly, it takes some time for a stable root system to develop. Older plants form root suckers, which can be dug up and used for propagation.
With the help of this propagation method, you can obtain a full-fledged plant in just a few simple steps. To do this, you must first dig up the root sucker and then separate it from the mother plant. You must insert the severed root shoot immediately at the desired location
. Be careful not to dig the root runner deeper than it did at its old location. The root pieces can be neatly separated with a spade or knife.» Tip: Use sharp tools. Straight cut edges heal faster and damage the plant less.
Short and sweet: step by step
- Dig up root suckers
- Remove root suckers
- Replant root suckers
❍ Propagation by cuttings
A whitebeam plant is also required for the propagation of cuttings. Obtaining cuttings can be combined with a topiary, which should be done in early summer.
❶ The cuttings should be cut from strong, non-flowering branches. A cutting should be left between 10 and 15 centimeters long.
❷ Leaves should be removed from the lower part of the cutting, which will later be below the surface of the earth.
❸ The cuttings are then placed in a planter filled with potting soil and watered regularly from now on. To speed up rooting, the cuttings should be covered with a plastic hood. This creates a microclimate around the plant, which has a beneficial effect on plant growth.
» Tip: Covers for cuttings can be made from empty mineral water bottles by cutting the bottle in the middle. The lower area can now be slipped over the cutting.
❹ The planter is placed in a warm and partially shaded place. To prevent the cuttings from growing mold in the airtight mini greenhouse, the cover should be briefly aired every day.
❺ As soon as the cutting sprouts again, this is a sign of successful rooting. The young plant can already be outdoors in the bucket over the summer and is usually strong enough to be planted in the desired location in autumn.
Short and sweet: step by step
- Cutting
- Prepare the cuttings
- Plant cutting and water
- Cover cutting
- Wait for budding
❍ Propagation by cuttings
Hobby gardeners usually prefer propagation by cuttings. After all, there is something to do in the garden even in winter. While the cutting has leaves and should not be completely lignified, a stick is a lignified part of the branch, which is taken from the middle of the branch.
❶ A frost-free day should be chosen for cutting the sticks. The months of November to February are favorable. They should have multiple nodes and be cut from the center of a he althy branch. The cut should be made directly above a knot.
❷ The stick is placed in a peat-sand mixture.
❸The ambient temperature should be around ten degrees.
» Tip: On mild winter days, the sticks can also be planted directly in the ground outdoors. A layer of foliage protects against the cold and keeps moisture in the soil.
❹Watering should be done sparingly.
❺Expels the stick, isthe propagation was successful and the plant can be placed outdoors.
Short and sweet: step by step
- Cutting sticks
- Put sticks in potting soil
- Set up the sticks in a cool, partially shaded place
- Water the sticks from time to time
- Wait for budding
❍ Propagation by seeds
Anyone who does not yet own a whitebeam will have to limit themselves to propagation by seeds. This usually succeeds without great gardening knowledge, but is more time-consuming.
❶ The seeds of the whitebeam cannot simply be planted in the ground. They need to be stratified. For this purpose, the seeds are placed in the refrigerator for a few days.
❷ Then soak the seeds in lukewarm water for a day.
❸ Sowing can be done in potting soil or in coconut fibers. The seeds are only lightly covered with soil.
❹ The substrate should be kept evenly moist, but not too wet.
❺ To speed up the germination process, you can cover the planter with foil or glass. Germination occurs after a few weeks in a bright but not full sun location.
Short and sweet: step by step
- Place the seeds in the fridge
- Pre-soak seeds
- Put seeds in potting soil
- Keep seeds slightly moist
- Wait for germination
Propagation methods with their advantages and disadvantages
| Propagation method | Advantages | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Roots | ✔ fast ✔ uncomplicated ✔ easy | ✘ Plant must be present ✘ Root can be damaged |
| Cuttings | ✔ Cuttings occur when pruning ✔ easy ✔ uncomplicated ✔ good guarantee of success | ✘ Plant must be available ✘ It will take some time for the cutting to sprout |
| Sticks | ✔ easy ✔ good chance of success | ✘ Plant must be present ✘ Pruning is done in winter and can easily be missed |
| Seeds | ✔ Multiple plants can be grown ✔ Seeds can be obtained from an existing plant | ✘ Patience required ✘ not every seed will germinate |