Propagation of Goji by cuttings - questions
Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2015 9:09 amHi all
Propagation by cuttings of numerous species is well researched and described in numerous classical books and papers.
There is a question about the need to use advanced techniques in Goji propagation as it roots rather easily.
Here is a partial list of issues relevant for the Goji cuttings.
There are situations where we need fast rooting, fast growing cuttings, large root volume, and thicker roots, thus various techniques should be use to achieve such goals.
And here I specify a few issues relevant to the Goji, as it seems that its apical dominance (normally controlled by auxins) is not maintained in its growing tips.
1. The type of a cutting: there are soft cuttings, semi soft cutting, hardy cuttings and root cuttings. At the moment all use but semi soft basal cuttings.
2. Apical or basal cuttings: due to the soft apex structure - all propagators use the basal cuttings. In many plants - apical cuttings root faster due to internal high auxin levels.
In many plants but 3-4 nodes are left on each basal cuttings and this is not the case with
Goji and this practice should be but questioned.
3. The use of rooting hormones (there are many commercial formulations) speed the rooting time, root volume, root structure and hence give a better plant. Normaly certain
fungicides are mixed with the hormone carrier powder thus preventing the damping off of the cuttings.
4. Propagators cut and remove almost all leaves from the basal cuttings and the food reserves, assimilates and photosynthesis are affected as to support the development of the cutting and its fast rooting. This issue should be reviewed.
5. Foliar feeds: once leaves will be maintained on the cuttings, foliar feed should be applied as a feed - because no roots are available. Many new formulations for foliar feeds are available and such effects were proven in other species.
6. Callusing - once a cutting is prepared - it needs 10-14 days for callusing and the roots come out from the callus cells. Practicaly, it is better and more efficient to plant but similarly callused cuttings with the same callus mass when compared with the unknown root development in the unseen soil mixture.
7. The Goji is said to grow even on non fertile soils, but fast rooting cuttings and the right soil organisms are needed to speed its growth in the nursery. These organisms are unknown for the Goji at this moment but various Solanaceae types may be tried.
8. Bottom heat to speed rooting and prevent damping off diseases is essential. I may suggest to use bottom heat temps between 25 degrees celsius up to 35 celsius, altering the temps as from spring - summer and even in the winter according to the season. Winter rooting is not common in many species because of the expences and poor results, but as the Goji grows and flowers almost all the year around - it seems that bottom heated cuttings in the winter may save a season and even a year for production.
This is but a partial list of issues relevant for fast commercial Goji plants production from cuttings.
May I repeat my past warning that the spread of viruses by cuttings is 100%.
Agronomist Ariel
Propagation by cuttings of numerous species is well researched and described in numerous classical books and papers.
There is a question about the need to use advanced techniques in Goji propagation as it roots rather easily.
Here is a partial list of issues relevant for the Goji cuttings.
There are situations where we need fast rooting, fast growing cuttings, large root volume, and thicker roots, thus various techniques should be use to achieve such goals.
And here I specify a few issues relevant to the Goji, as it seems that its apical dominance (normally controlled by auxins) is not maintained in its growing tips.
1. The type of a cutting: there are soft cuttings, semi soft cutting, hardy cuttings and root cuttings. At the moment all use but semi soft basal cuttings.
2. Apical or basal cuttings: due to the soft apex structure - all propagators use the basal cuttings. In many plants - apical cuttings root faster due to internal high auxin levels.
In many plants but 3-4 nodes are left on each basal cuttings and this is not the case with
Goji and this practice should be but questioned.
3. The use of rooting hormones (there are many commercial formulations) speed the rooting time, root volume, root structure and hence give a better plant. Normaly certain
fungicides are mixed with the hormone carrier powder thus preventing the damping off of the cuttings.
4. Propagators cut and remove almost all leaves from the basal cuttings and the food reserves, assimilates and photosynthesis are affected as to support the development of the cutting and its fast rooting. This issue should be reviewed.
5. Foliar feeds: once leaves will be maintained on the cuttings, foliar feed should be applied as a feed - because no roots are available. Many new formulations for foliar feeds are available and such effects were proven in other species.
6. Callusing - once a cutting is prepared - it needs 10-14 days for callusing and the roots come out from the callus cells. Practicaly, it is better and more efficient to plant but similarly callused cuttings with the same callus mass when compared with the unknown root development in the unseen soil mixture.
7. The Goji is said to grow even on non fertile soils, but fast rooting cuttings and the right soil organisms are needed to speed its growth in the nursery. These organisms are unknown for the Goji at this moment but various Solanaceae types may be tried.
8. Bottom heat to speed rooting and prevent damping off diseases is essential. I may suggest to use bottom heat temps between 25 degrees celsius up to 35 celsius, altering the temps as from spring - summer and even in the winter according to the season. Winter rooting is not common in many species because of the expences and poor results, but as the Goji grows and flowers almost all the year around - it seems that bottom heated cuttings in the winter may save a season and even a year for production.
This is but a partial list of issues relevant for fast commercial Goji plants production from cuttings.
May I repeat my past warning that the spread of viruses by cuttings is 100%.
Agronomist Ariel