In one year, with the help of propagation of berry bushes by layering, you can get 5-10 healthy strong shoots. Young seedlings retain all varietal characteristics, quickly begin to bear fruit, easily tolerate frost and adverse weather conditions. At the same time, there are no special requirements for the composition of the soil, feeding or care. Following the recommendations, even a novice gardener will be able to get planting material.
Selection of the withdrawal option
A layer is a rooted young shoot of a berry bush. You can get it in 3 ways:
- Horizontal arrangement – one or more branches are tilted and placed on the ground, fixing with clamps or hooks. Shoots take root, young shoots appear from each bud. At the same time, the mother bush continues to grow and bear fruit.
- Arc-shaped removal is the least traumatic method for the mother bush, which allows you to get 1 shoot from each layer. The branches are bent to the ground in an arc, fixing in 1-2 places with hairpins to fix the place of rooting. The growth continues to develop, does not break.
- A vertical branch is suitable when you need to get rid of the old mother bush and replace it with young seedlings. To obtain sprouts, all branches are cut by 2/3, then half is sprinkled with soil. As it grows, it is turned over and pinched. The method is chosen depending on the number of shoots to be obtained.
Boarding time
Taps are made in autumn or spring. The first option is better for shrubs that do not tolerate winter well (gooseberries).
In the spring, you need to bend the shoots before the shoots open, but after the risk of reverse frost has passed. The temperature at night should not fall below +5 degrees.
Bush rejuvenation
You can get strong growth only from young branches. The old bush, which is used for propagation, is pre-renovated. For this, 1-2 years before the removal:
- Very old branches are cut.
- Damaged, twisted processes are removed to the ground level.
- The bush is intensively fed, watering is carefully monitored, the tops are pinched for the appearance of young shoots.
Strong one-year branches are used for diversion.
Protection against diseases
Only healthy berry bushes should be propagated by layering. Pests, fungal or viral infections can infect young shoots.
If the mother plant is affected by powdery mildew, rot or another disease, the year should be devoted to recovery and pest control, growth of healthy branches, strengthening of the root system and prevention of diseases.
Correct flipping
Before fixing layers, the soil is not loosened or dug up.
- The first loosening is carried out after the growth of the shoots to 18-20 cm. The growth is covered by half with a fertile substrate consisting of peat, humus, earth and sand in equal parts.
- After 1-1.5 weeks, the lifting is repeated, falling asleep the branches at 15 cm from the soil level. Bushes are pre-watered.
- Further sprinkling is carried out as the stems grow, 2-3 times per season. The height of the furrow should not exceed 25 cm to avoid rotting of young shoots.
Timely separation of the mother bush
After 1-2 years (depending on the culture and variety), the shoots are separated from the mother plant. The procedure is carried out in autumn:
- The old branch is cut off with secateurs, the cut is disinfected.
- Carefully remove the poured substrate.
- They dig, trying not to damage the roots.
- With horizontal separation, the seedling is divided into separate shoots.
Strong branches are immediately planted in a permanent place, weak ones are grown.
If the mother bush is cut off too early, the young shoot may not survive the winter and may weaken. Later, the separation threatens the adult plant with rotting of the roots, a decrease in immunity and resistance to diseases and pests, and the cessation of fruiting.
In order to obtain high-quality planting material that preserves the varietal advantages of the original shrub, it is important to determine a good time for reproduction, rejuvenate and improve the health of the old plant, and choose strong one- or two-year branches. Following the recommendations will help you get several healthy plants effortlessly.