Effective propagation of thuja, or how to get the most of your favorite plants from cuttings. A very simple way to propagate thuja Rooting thuja cuttings at home

At home, propagation of thuja by cuttings is best done in the fall. This is recommended by experienced gardeners. There are several ways to root. They do not require special skills and tools. For 2-3 years, it is realistic to grow thuja seedlings for your garden.

Buying a ready-made thuja seedling is the easiest, fastest and most reliable way breeding evergreen shrub (tree). The cost of evergreens is not small, so gardeners prefer to grow seedlings for hedges, garden compositions on their own, propagating them:

  • seeds;
  • cuttings.

The first method is time consuming. The result is a full-fledged thuja seedling with seed propagation can be obtained only after 5-6 years. And although such a plant practically does not get sick when transplanted into the garden and quickly adapts, gardeners prefer to propagate by cuttings.

What are the advantages of cuttings

The main advantage of this technology obtaining a fully formed plant in 3 years. If you plant cuttings in the fall, then you can decorate the garden with conifers almost 2 times faster than when propagating by seeds. Preservation of varietal characteristics is another important advantage of the method.

Tui seedlings grown from seeds may not have a parent decorative form.

Having mastered the method of propagation by cuttings, the gardener receives two advantages:

  • retains the decorative form of the parent plant;
  • receives a thuja seedling in a short time.

Cons of cuttings

Cuttings take root for a long time. This is main disadvantage way. According to statistics, with full observance of the methodology from total number planted seedlings survive only 70%. There are other difficulties as well. Thuja obtained from a cutting is more sensitive to sudden changes in the weather and requires better care.

How to choose branches for cuttings?

It is necessary to choose healthy trees in order to propagate thuja by cuttings. Inspect the branches and trunk. External signs speak of fungal diseases of a plant:

  • browned shoots;
  • brown, dark, gray needles on shoots;
  • crumbling needles;
  • growths on the trunk.

At healthy tree(bush) pyramidal shape lateral branches are suitable for propagation; in other varieties of conifers, apical shoots are suitable for grafting.

For propagation by cuttings, conifers aged 4 to 9 years are suitable. Material taken from an old tree takes root worse.

When to cut thuja: optimal timing

Experienced gardeners prefer to engage in thuja cuttings in the fall. At this time, sap flow slows down. The survival rate of planting material is high. AT middle lane shoots are harvested in October; November is more suitable for the southern regions.

You can harvest in the spring. Deadlines are limited. Viable cuttings cut from the end of March to the end of April. If high-quality material is selected, then the cutting time (autumn, spring) has little effect on the result. The cutting must be lignified, the optimal age of the shoot is 2 years, in extreme cases, it can be 3-year-old branches.

How to cut thuja cuttings

A shoot 30-50 cm long is cut from a tree. 10 or 15 cm branches growing on it are suitable for cuttings. From one 2-3 year old branch, you can get several pieces at once. They work with their hands. Secateurs are used to shorten the heel.

The heel is a piece of last year's wood. It is formed when a branch is torn off (from top to bottom) from the main shoot. The presence of wood in the lower part of the handle is mandatory. It contains nutrients that the plant will use to form roots.

How to prepare thuja cuttings for rooting

Before planting cuttings for rooting, the following manipulations are carried out on them:

  • cut off the lower branches;
  • shorten the remaining needles;
  • the heel is tightly powdered with root.

If they want to plant the next day, then instead of dusting, the workpieces are kept for 12 hours in a stimulant solution (Kornevin, Epin).

Soil preparation

shallow container rectangular shape fill with light potting mix. For its preparation take:

  • fertile garden soil (1 part);
  • peat (1 part);
  • river sand (1 part).

Sand is boiled for at least 5 minutes before use. The finished soil mixture is shed with a 3% solution of manganese.

Direct rooting process

The soil mixture in the container is leveled. With an interval of 5 cm, holes are made 3-4 cm deep, they should not be vertical. Make them at an angle of 45 °. The prepared stalk is stuck into the soil and pressed tightly.

The earth is watered in 2 passes. After the first it settles, after the second it is well moistened. Above the container, a mini-greenhouse is created from a film to create a suitable microclimate. The container is placed on the north window. Cuttings need lighting, but direct sunlight can be harmful.

Non-standard way: rooting cuttings in potatoes

There are many nutrients in the potato tuber. They will be useful to the cuttings on initial stage formation of the root system. Healthy potatoes with dense, fresh flesh are suitable for rooting. The rooting process is carried out as follows:

  • tubers are washed;
  • all eyes are carefully cut out;
  • using a long, thick nail, make indentations about 4 cm long;
  • thuja cuttings are stuck into the holes obtained.

Potatoes are placed in a container, sprinkled with a layer of fertile substrate. Each cutting is covered with a transparent plastic bottle. The bottom is cut off, and the tire is twisted.

Can cuttings be grown in water?

Gardeners do not recommend sprouting branches in jars of water. The method is easy to implement, but the seedlings are frail. This is because there are few nutrients in the water. Rules to be followed when growing thuja cuttings in water:

  • put 1, maximum 3 branches in one container;
  • pour water so that it only covers the "heels";
  • add water, but do not change.

The needles must be dry, if moisture gets on them, they can rot and the cutting will die.

Growing cuttings in the substrate

The substrate must be fertile and loose, so that nutrients and oxygen are sufficient for the formation of roots. Low capacity required. At the bottom, it is necessary to drill holes for the outflow of excess water.

Drainage is poured in the first layer. Small pebbles, crushed stone, expanded clay are suitable for this purpose. The second layer is a fertile mixture. Prepare it a week before planting from garden soil(1 part) and peat (1 part). The soil must be disinfected with a solution of manganese.

Regularly ventilate the greenhouse with thuja cuttings. Water the soil with a spray bottle.

The ends of the cuttings (heels) are dipped into Kornevin's solution for 12 hours. They are stuck into the ground to a depth of 3-4 cm at an angle of 45 °. The soil is watered. Sprinkle the entire surface thin layer sand, it is wetted from a sprayer.

The container is covered with a film and placed in a room where the temperature is maintained at 18-22 °C. Lighting is provided for a long time, but not bright. In the substrate, reproduction of thuja by cuttings is carried out in winter.

Growing cuttings in sphagnum

Sphagnum is peat moss. It has a high hygroscopicity, so it is very convenient to root thuja cuttings in it. Moisture does not evaporate from it, it contains nutrients. In addition, it has bactericidal properties, stops the development of a fungal infection.

Sphagnum is soaked in water for 3 hours, then it is laid out on a cloth. The canvas is taken wide enough, the moss is laid in a strip along the entire length. It should cover ½ of the width. Prepared cuttings are laid out, the heels are immersed in moss.

The second half of the fabric is placed on top of the sphagnum. The upper part of the cuttings with needles should be on top. The fabric is rolled up. It turns out not a tight roll. It is placed in a transparent plastic bag. It is hung in a bright, moderately warm room and waiting for the roots to appear.

Care for planted thuja cuttings before planting in a permanent place

To grow rooted cuttings, a ridge is prepared. Choose for her appropriate place. At noon, it should be in openwork penumbra and always behind the wind. Peat and sand are added to the soil. The approximate ratio of the soil mixture:

  • garden soil - 2 parts;
  • river sand - 1 part;
  • peat - 1 part.

Cuttings planted in autumn have good roots by spring. In the spring, after the end of the frost, they are planted in a school. In summer, the soil is regularly watered, weeds are removed, and loosened shallowly. With the onset of cold weather, the ridge is covered with spruce branches, several layers of covering material. Remove cover in spring. Tui are transplanted into the garden after 2-3 years.

AT landscape design thuja is used to create hedges, decoration garden paths. Phytoncides, which are emitted by a coniferous plant, improve the microclimate in the garden. original form crowns (ball, cube, prism), formed by the gardener, make the landscape exquisite.

Thuja is a member of the cypress family. With the help of this evergreen plant, you can decorate any household plot, house territory, garden, make hedge or green corridor.

One of the ways to get an unusual thuja in your area is cutting the plant. This is convenient and effective, as the varietal qualities of the plant are preserved and full-fledged trees are obtained in 2-3 years. It is quite possible to propagate thuja at home.

How to grow thuja from a branch?

To carry out spring cuttings of thuja, it is necessary to choose the most beautiful branches of a plant that has not yet become stiff, which is no more than 3 years old. In the question of how to propagate thuja, you need to focus on the quality of the selected branches. It is better to cut off half a meter green with a small piece tree bark at the end. It is necessary to carry out such an event in cloudy weather in the morning by hand, tearing off the desired cutting with a sharp downward movement.

At the end of the plucked shoot, a "woody heel" should be left, which is a piece of bark as the basis for new roots. Need to know one more condition: if the cutting is removed from the tops of the axial shoots of the thuja, then a branched tree will grow, and if the cutting belongs to the side branches of the shrub, the creeping form of the plant will turn out.

It is best to carry out cuttings in the spring, based on the fact that it is during this period of the year that all processes in wildlife are carried out faster, the movement of juices is activated in the shoots of the thuja, and the cut cutting will give the first roots faster.

Propagation of thuja cuttings in the spring is held in late March or early April. If this period of the year is skipped, then in June thuja cuttings can also be done.

Cutting thuja cuttings in the spring, when the first wave of growth occurs, the germination of cuttings captures the entire cycle of plant development. However, in this case, there is a danger that the branches planted for germination will fall under spring frosts. This can be avoided by installing a box with cuttings in a home mini-greenhouse and covering it with a film.

Summer cutting of cuttings affects the second wave of growth. In this case, it is necessary sufficient watering the substrate in which the twig gives roots. You need to carefully monitor the soil moisture and the frequency of watering. Future seedlings may seriously suffer from the summer heat. At this time, the plant is periodically sprayed with a spray gun 2 times a day - in the morning and in the evening.

Tui propagation occurs using a substrate or ordinary water. This means that a plucked cutting can take root equally well both in a glass of ordinary water and in the soil prepared for it.

How to grow thuja in water?

In this case, the long tail of the “woody heel” is cut off from the newly cut cuttings of the thuja and the lower green growth of the shoot is cleaned so that about 5 cm of a clean stem remains. Then the root of the cutting must lower into the water with Kornevin powder by 2 cm. More than 3 cuttings cannot be placed in one container so that they do not suffocate.

Be sure to make sure that the branch does not start to rot. To do this, do not lower the green part of the sprout into the water. Such home germination of the cuttings in water should take place in a bright, cool, but not cold place.

You need to change the water in a timely manner. Can't let it fade. During the change of water, the stalk is taken out of the container and its root part is wrapped with a damp cloth. AT clean water you need to add a couple of crystals of manganese for disinfection.

As soon as the cutting takes root, it can be planted on the site. First you need to prepare a place for him in the ground.

Growing in a substrate

A cut stem of a thuja is also easy to grow in a substrate. This method of reproduction of thuja is considered more reliable, since in this case the sprout is saturated with useful substances. Stages of landing in the substrate:

It should be sprayed daily with water at room temperature from a spray bottle. So the water will not wash away the “woody heel” of the cutting. After two months, the thuja sprout should finally take root. If buds began to appear on the cutting, that is good sign. Do not immediately plant a sprout in open ground. First you need to harden the plant. The box should sometimes be taken out into the street so that the plant gets used to the conditions of the external environment.

During the spring breeding of thuja, already in September, a rooted sprout is planted in a temporary place, where it should spend a couple of three years. This is the so-called school for a young plant. The soil should be filled with peat and leafy humus, and the place should be in light shade. If necessary, scatter 1 bucket of peat per 1 m2 of land.

Planting a young plant and caring for it

Do not rush to plant sprouted thuja from school to the place prepared for it. It is necessary to think over all the nuances of the future existence of the plant . It must grow in place, well warmed by the sun, which the sun's rays will especially visit in the first half of the day, and in the second there will be partial shade from neighboring trees.

In the hole for the thuja, you need to put a mixture of manure, compost and garden soil. The roots of the plant should not be broken, and the root collar should be above the ground. After transplanting, water the plant abundantly and put sawdust or sawdust on top. pine bark. This will protect the root system. It is necessary to ensure that the mulch does not cover the lower branches of the arborvitae and her fragile trunk - they can forbid.

Young shoots should:

Propagation of thuja by cuttings is a very interesting and reverent process. A splendidly growing tree will be a reward for all the efforts made during the entire period of growing the cutting. This plant will fit perfectly into any landscape design..

Foreword

If you have a thuja growing in your garden, the propagation of which, at first glance, seems to be a difficult process, then you probably asked yourself the question: how does thuja reproduce. For experienced gardeners, propagating this plant with cuttings is not difficult, but will it be so easy for beginners to handle?

Reproduction features

Thuja is an unpretentious and frost-resistant plant. Often used for landscaping garden plots or country houses. However, thuja is an expensive pleasure, so it is easier to breed them yourself. Moreover, following simple recommendations, thuja can be grown even without being an experienced gardener.

This plant can be propagated in two ways:

  • With the help of seeds;
  • With the help of twigs or cuttings.

The first method, which includes seeds, is very painstaking and long. It will take two to six years. In addition, it is generally accepted that thuja grown from cuttings are more hardy. If you have decorative look thuja, also do not propagate it by seeds. It is best to choose propagation by branches.

Propagation of thuja cuttings

For those who want to grow a similar plant for themselves, there is a very simple and affordable option- breeding thuja cuttings. Reproduction of thuja in this way should occur in the fall. When preparing to breed a plant, you have probably read many articles on the topic of how to propagate thuja from cuttings, and you know that the shoot must be healthy and strong. Do not choose too young or too old branches. Pay attention to those that grow in the middle of the tree.

Such shoots are usually already strong enough, but not yet stiffened for reproduction. Tear off several shoots 50 cm long. A little tree bark should remain at the end of the shoot.

Experienced gardeners who know how to grow thuja from cuttings gave given plant the name "heel". The longer the "heel", the better the shoot will be rooted. In order to pluck a branch with such a “heel”, they usually use a knife or simply pluck the branch with a sharp downward movement. We remove all unnecessary twigs and leaves. It is necessary to prepare a pot with peat and leafy soil in advance (in a ratio of 1 to 1). We deepen the cutting itself two centimeters into the ground at an angle of 60 degrees. The area around the planted cutting should be sprinkled with sand and lightly pressed with your finger.

It is necessary to ensure that the remaining leaves do not touch the peat. We water and make a greenhouse from a film or a simple can on top of the cutting. The higher the transparency of the bank, the better. After that, you should set aside the pot with the shoot in a bright and warm place. Humidity should be no higher than 70% at an air temperature of 23 degrees, otherwise the cutting may rot. It is better to spray the cutting itself with water, and not to water it under the root.

As soon as new shoots began to appear on the cutting, this means that it is fully rooted.

However, it is too early to plant such a thuja in the garden. Start to open the greenhouse more often and let the thuja “breathe the air”. Increase ventilation time by minimizing greenhouse time. As soon as the thuja gets used to the coolness, you can safely plant it in the garden.

How to grow thuja from a branch?

When deciding how to breed thuja, you can find several alternative methods. On the Internet you can find a lot of information on the question that sounds like this: “How to grow thuja from a branch?”. The "instructions" are based on the same actions as when transplanting with the help of cuttings. However, as elsewhere, there are nuances. If you are interested in how to grow a thuja from a branch, then the cut of the branch itself must first be treated with a root stimulator. This will help the root system develop and take root in the new soil.

The pallet with sand should be treated with a three percent solution of potassium permanganate. The branches themselves should be placed in pre-made holes at an angle of 45 degrees. In one pallet, you can grow several branches at once. To do this, the distance between them should be from 3 to 5 cm.

When transplanting with branches, make sure that direct sunlight does not fall on the pallet with shoots.

You can moisten using the same technology as when propagating by cuttings. It will be necessary to plant rooted branches in the spring or you can keep them in greenhouse conditions until the summer. This will give a greater likelihood that your thuja will quickly get used to the new conditions and will survive the first winter more calmly.


Of the numerous coniferous trees the cypress family, in particular, thuja is most in demand among gardeners and summer residents - this unpretentious, evergreen tree pleases the eye in winter and summer, serves as a wonderful decoration for any site. Thujas are planted along fences, paths, they decorate corners for relaxation, as thujas smell pleasant and fresh, and trees purify the air around them with phytoncides.

Thuja is also interesting for site owners in that it can be propagated and grown at home without spending too much effort and money on it: purchasing seedlings in stores is not cheap.

Growing thuja seeds This is what thuja seeds look like

If you can't provide for yourself the right amount cuttings, they resort to propagating the tree by seed.

This process is painstaking, lengthy (from 3-5 years), but it allows you to grow a sufficient number of planting material to realize all your ideas, and the remaining copies can be presented to relatives or friends.

It is necessary to start with harvesting fresh seeds, they will ensure good germination.

The period of seed harvesting falls on the end of summer - the beginning of autumn. Cones with seeds must have time to collect before they begin to open, and spread them out in a dry room until completely dry.

The seeds will be ready in 2-3 days, they will easily begin to spill out of the cones, small, brown or reddish.

After receiving the seeds, it is best to sow them as soon as possible, with long-term storage in warm rooms, they lose their germination percentage.

Autumn (winter) sowing We make grooves at a distance of 5-6 cm from each other

With this method of propagation, crops will undergo a natural stratification, which will provide more strong seedlings, its active growth. This will require:

  1. Suitable wooden box fill with prepared soil, consisting of 1 part sod land, 2 parts peat, 0.5 parts fine sand.
  2. Level and compact the soil.
  3. in-depth make grooves at a distance of 5-6 cm, slightly expanding them for ease of sowing.
  4. Distribute the seeds evenly in rows, sprinkle with a layer of soil 1 cm thick.
  5. Pour carefully with a spray bottle, being careful not to wash the seeds.

Install the box in a convenient place on the street, best of all under a sprawling tree, so that the sun dries out the earth less in the box. And in the spring, the branches of the tree will protect the seedlings from direct sunlight. Moderate watering is required as the soil dries out; seeds cannot be poured, otherwise they will begin to rot.

Podzimny sowing can be carried out directly into the ground by preparing a small bed in partial shade, because the bright direct sun for young seedlings will be fatal. Care should be taken that pets do not enter the garden by fencing it or covering it with non-woven material.

spring sowing

If the sowing of thuja seeds was planned for the spring period, they must be subjected to hardening (stratification) so that the seedlings are strong and fully developed. Would need:

  1. Before the onset of cold weather, the seeds wrapped in a cloth are buried shallowly in the ground, covered with a layer of fallen leaves.
  2. To prevent freezing of seeds, make sure that they are covered with snow, or additionally insulated.
  3. With the onset of spring, after the snow melts, remove the seeds from the ground, transfer them to a suitable container, sprinkle with wet sand, and place in the refrigerator until sowing.

By the end of March - the beginning of April, when the earth warms up, you can plan to sow the seeds in the ground. Sowing is done shallow, the distance between rows is 10-15 cm. The sown seeds are sprinkled with a very thin layer of earth and gently watered.

Further care consists in regularly moistening the soil, destroying weeds, and shading the seedlings from the sun.

You can plant each seed in a separate pot so that future sprouts grow and develop individually for a whole year, until the next transplant:

  1. Purchase special soil in advance for coniferous plants.
  2. Prepare pots or cups, pour a layer of drainage on the bottom, soil on top, compact it, spill it with a solution of potassium permanganate.
  3. Soaked the day before sowing and hatched seeds, place in pots, pour warm water on top.
  4. Put the cups in a warm place, cover with foil on top.
  5. After the appearance of sprouts, take the cups to a bright, cool place. If the pubescent roots are on the surface, they must be sprinkled with sand and moistened with a spray bottle.

For the summer-autumn period, pots with young sprouts can be taken out into the street, placed under a tree.

Care of seedlings in boxes

  • In the first year, seedlings grow only 7 cm., special care it is not required for it, the main requirements are watering, spraying, sprinkling the earth, top dressing.
  • The following year, in the spring, they start picking seedlings into separate pots or cups with soil for coniferous plants. After the seedlings take root, it can be placed on the street, finding a shaded place, watering regularly and inspecting the seedlings in order to identify diseased specimens in time. In winter, the cups are carried away to the shelter.
  • In the third year, the seedlings again need to be transplanted into pots. bigger size , from May they can be safely taken out into the street, and in the fall they can be landed on a prepared permanent place leaving the root collar at ground level.

Propagation of thuja cuttings

Tui cuttings need to be torn off with a heel

For cuttings, you can use the end of April, until the buds are completely swollen, or the middle - the end of June, when the growth of the shoots ends. Lignified branches 30–40 cm long are taken from young healthy thujas, 2–3 years old. It is necessary to tear off the cuttings so that a piece of bark (“heel”) leaves the mother tree with them.

Remove the needles from the lower edges of the broken branches by 8-10 cm, soak in one of the root formation stimulators (act according to the instructions).

During this time, prepare a bed with suitable soil:

  • peat;
  • river sand;
  • sod land.

The components are taken in the same amount, mixed. The soil is brought into the garden, mixed with garden soil, spilled with a solution of potassium permanganate. Cuttings are deepened by 2-3 cm, watered to compact the ground around the cutting. Further watering is replaced by spraying, so the required humidity is created.

Growing thuja from a branch

This method of propagation is almost no different from planting cuttings. Branches 25–35 cm high are cut from the healthy tree you like with its middle part with sharp scissors, the larger the branch, the better it will take root. The cut is processed by "Kornevin" or "Heteroauxin", all lower leaves are removed.

  1. A hole is being prepared in a secluded, semi-shaded, damp place, the soil is well loosened, organic fertilizer is added, and water is spilled.
  2. After the soil is saturated with water, a thuja branch is stuck, the earth around it is slightly compacted.
  3. The planted twig is covered with a jar or transparent plastic bottle, the edges are sprinkled with earth, once again a little water is poured from a watering can.

The jar or bottle will need to be periodically removed for ventilation, but not earlier than 2 weeks after planting.

Rules for caring for thuja sprouts from cuttings and twigs

After rooting cuttings and twigs, they need regular watering (but not waterlogging), regular spraying of needles, fertilizing with complex fertilizers 2-3 times, constant weed removal, and frequent surface loosening of the soil.

Before the onset of cold weather, warm the ground around the trunks with bark, dry leaves, sawdust or spruce branches, and wrap the upper part of young trees with foil.

September next year is the time to transplant grown trees to a permanent place.

It is important not to bury the trees, leave the root neck at the level of the soil, a deeper planting will lead to the death of the plant.

Tips for growing thuja and caring for it Tui is afraid of direct sunlight and drafts

Conical, pyramidal, egg-shaped, spherical - thuja will be a wonderful decoration for any garden, if you provide them with the right care.

A landing site must be chosen such that:

  • direct sunlight fell on the trees in the mornings or evenings, exposure to the daytime sun will dehydrate the needles, the plant will lose its beauty;
  • thuja does not tolerate strong winds and drafts, if planted in such a place, it will be difficult for her to endure winters;
  • a thick shadow will affect the density of the crown, it will be rare and unattractive;
  • Tui love moist soil, but prolonged late spring flooding will kill them.
  • only a year after planting, when the tree gets stronger and takes root well, you can start feeding it.

To maintain the correct shape, the trees need a decorative haircut: from the age of two, the plants are cut with sharp secateurs, branches that go beyond the shape of the design idea. Experienced gardeners believe that it is better to prune small, but frequent.

Popular coniferous crops in nature are more often propagated by seeds or vegetatively. But in nurseries and in the circle of gardeners, reproduction of thuja by cuttings in spring is more common, allowing:

  • save time and effort on germinating the seed and bringing it to the state of a strong, viable seedling;
  • to preserve all the varietal characteristics of the parent plant, which would be necessarily lost with the seed method.

If a self-cultivation the summer resident is engaged in seedlings for the first time, it is important for him to know how the thuja reproduces.

Preparation of thuja cuttings for propagation in spring

The preparation of cuttings from conifers, their adaptation and planting have significant differences from the well-known technology for working with deciduous species.

The optimal time for harvesting planting material is the end of March and the whole of April. Shrubs awakened from winter dormancy begin to grow, so pieces of shoots cut from them receive a natural stimulus to growth and root formation.

In the spring, for propagation of thuja by cuttings from strong, well-developed shrubs, the tops are cut off at least 10–12 cm long. The diameter of the future seedling should not be less than 5–8 mm. Taken as cuttings, one-year-old shoots of lateral branches form roots much faster and more readily than those cut from the top.

How to proceed? How to propagate thuja cuttings at home? planting material many deciduous crops in such a case, it is enough to immerse in a container of water. After some time, roots form at the cutting, with which it will go into the ground for further growth. In coniferous plants, the process of root formation is somewhat difficult, so the cutting needs a little help:

  1. Fresh cuttings at the base are cut obliquely.
  2. Close to the cut, gently pry off and remove the bark.
  3. Above the shoot, several thin longitudinal incisions are made.
  4. The needles are removed, leaving only at the ends of the shoots.

These operations must be performed fairly quickly so that the cuttings do not fade.

Thanks to the incisions made, it will be easier for future roots to overcome the bark, and removing the needles will help to avoid decay after planting.

In this form, pieces of shoots are placed in a solution of a root formation stimulator. In a jar of water, thuja propagation cuttings should stay from 12 to 24 hours. During this time, the roots are awakened, which increases the likelihood and accelerates rooting.

Rooting and planting thuja cuttings for propagation

While the planting material is waiting for its turn, containers and soil are prepared for planting. Containers should have drainage holes to drain excess moisture. As a substrate for propagation of thuja by cuttings, it is convenient to take washed and disinfected sand mixed with peat. You can neutralize harmful microflora and insect larvae using:

  • abundant watering with a solution of potassium permanganate or phytosporin;
  • boiling water poured abundantly on a layer of soil;
  • calcination in the oven.

Cuttings are planted at a distance of at least three centimeters from each other. With multi-row planting, 8–10 cm are left between rows. The same distance should be to the edge of the container or pot.

Crowding is dangerous for seedlings, whose roots are at risk of intertwining and breaking off during transplantation into open ground.

Shallow, up to 15 mm holes are made at an inclination of 45 degrees. When all the thuja cuttings for its propagation in the spring have found their place, the soil around them is slightly compacted, and then the plantings are watered.

Care for thuja seedlings during vegetative propagation

Until strong roots form on the thuja cuttings, they need protection from the weather:

  • direct sunlight;
  • wind;
  • rain;
  • probable spring frosts.

The best shelter for the first two months will be small greenhouse or a greenhouse. At this time, the seedlings are provided with daily watering, which is essential in dry, sunny, warm weather.

On particularly hot days, it is useful to spray rooted cuttings for thuja propagation with warm water, using the finest sprinkling. The film on the greenhouse is changed to a thin fabric or non-woven material.

Over the summer, properly planted and well-cared for plants develop their own roots. Therefore, young arborvitae can be safely transferred to a place where shrubs are fully formed in 2-3 years, or into separate pots for growing in a container.

The roots of decorative conifers are quite fragile. You need to work with them carefully, trying not to damage them. It is more convenient if, during transplantation, the seedling retains a small earthen ball, which will protect the rhizomes and accelerate acclimatization.

A video about propagating thuja with cuttings at home will help beginners understand the intricacies of the process and avoid mistakes that will delay the appearance of new evergreen shrubs on the site for a year. After transplanting into the ground, thujas receive the same care as their adult counterparts. But you need to be especially careful to monitor the cleanliness of the soil under the plants, otherwise the weeds can “suffocate” small shrubs.

Wick rooting of thuja cuttings - video

Or, as people call it, « life tree» evergreen plant from the cypress family. Tui are unpretentious to the soil and climate, so they easily get along in major cities. They are widely used not only for landscaping megacities, but also in gardening. It is good to mark the territory with shrubs and plant living corridors from them. Cultivation of the plant is often done by cuttings. We will tell in this article how to root thuja from a branch.

How to prepare cuttings

Right choice cuttings and harvesting them - the most milestone. Most of evergreens are propagated by cuttings, and thuja is no exception. The best time for harvesting cuttings - autumn, it is during this period that the movement of juice through the plant slows down. The likelihood that the bush will take root increases. You need to choose branches closer to the crown or on it itself.


It is advisable to stop on a shrub whose age is 2 - 3 years. Branches should be torn off with a sharp movement, so that a kind of “heel”, the remnant of last year's bark, remains at the end. And the longer this remainder, the better. Another important point: you need to cut off the bark, which has begun to flake off. The lower part of the branch must be cleared of needles by about 3 cm. Leaves of needles should be healthy 15-20 cm long (no more than 50 cm).

Methods for rooting cuttings

There are several ways to grow thuja from a branch. The most common methods are: the method with ordinary water, the preparation of a special substrate or the cultivation of roots in a film. Each of the methods requires a certain approach, time and resources.

How to root autumn cuttings in water

The easiest way. To do this, you need a container for water and the branches themselves. It is necessary to pour water into the prepared vessel, put the cuttings in it, immersing only the heel. The leaves should never touch the water. This can lead to rotting of the needles, and the stalk will deteriorate. No more than three branches can be immersed in one container of water. Put the cuttings in a cool but sunny place.


It is not recommended to change the water during rooting. It is best to add fresh water little by little. With a complete replacement of the liquid, the drink of the roots may be disturbed, and the stalk will slow down or completely stop growth. There are not so many nutrients in ordinary water, so the cuttings often weaken and subsequently do not take root well in the ground.

Rooting cuttings in film

Breeding thuja with a film will be a little more difficult than the water method. To do this, you need a film, a small piece of cloth and peat moss or, as it is also called, sphagnum. First, we dilute any growth stimulator in water and lower the prepared branches there for about 10 hours. Pour the moss with warm boiled water, leave it to soak with water for several hours.

After that, you can start rooting the cuttings of the thuja. We spread a wide flap of fabric and mentally divide it in half. We lay wet moss on the entire section of the upper length, and lower part leave free, she will need to cover the cuttings themselves. We spread the branches of thuja not far from each other. Carefully cover the broken cuttings with sphagnum. We take the lower part, cover the cuttings and, leaving the needles free, we fold everything into a neat roll. What happened, we wrap it in a plastic bag and hang it in a bright place, but away from direct exposure to the sun.


The film with which the branches are covered will serve as a certain moisture meter. If the polyethylene is covered with strong condensate, you need to slightly raise it, thereby ensuring a good air flow. And if the film is dry, you should moisten the fabric with a sprayer. This method is good because the moss will long time keep moisture, nourishing the cuttings and having bactericidal properties, thereby saving the roots from decay.

How to prepare a substrate for rooting

And the most The best way root thuja from a branch - using a substrate. The substrate is a nutrient medium for plants, and it is not so difficult to prepare it. We mix in equal proportions peat, deciduous humus and sand. We put the mixture in the oven and properly calcine at the maximum temperature.

We breed saturated solution potassium permanganate and pour over the resulting mixture. As in the case of the film, you need to place the cuttings for 10 hours in a solution that stimulates growth. Containers for rooting thuja cuttings in the fall should be picked up with several holes from the bottom for better saturation oxygen. We lay out drainage at the bottom - fine gravel. We fill the containers with the substrate and make small indentations for the branches. We place the cuttings themselves by about 2 cm and sprinkle them with sand, which would also do well to pre-ignite.


Lightly tamping the sand, cover with plastic wrap and put in a bright place, but keep out of direct sunlight. If condensation appears on the film, slightly lift it on one side to fresh air. One of the important points of such cuttings is watering. It is best to carry it out with a spray gun.

Did you know?If new needles began to appear in the thuja, then the plant is well rooted.

Rules for caring for cuttings

After you have rooted the thuja cuttings in the fall, they need care before planting in open ground.

When growing twigs in water, there is only one important factor. This is water care. There are two ways to look after cuttings. In one case, you can completely replace the water. To do this, remove the cuttings and wrap them in a pre-moistened rag. Rinse the container well, pour fresh water on the bottom and immerse the cuttings back.

You can add a little weak solution of potassium permanganate. The second method is considered more reliable for growth. It consists in adding water as the cuttings absorb moisture. Thus, without disturbing the impregnation of the roots, the cuttings are more likely to germinate on the site.


The easiest care for cuttings that germinate in the film. Sphagnum and fabric very well maintain the desired level of moisture. Pre-moistened moss can retain moisture for a very long time. To understand what the cuttings need now, check the cellophane with which you covered the branches. If the film is dry, you need to moisten the cloth a little. The best way to do this is with a spray bottle. And if excessive condensation has accumulated on the film, lift it slightly and ventilate the sprouts.

cuttings in the substrate

Caring for cuttings in the substrate must be approached with all seriousness and responsibility. The most important task is to control the amount of moisture. In no case should you water the cuttings from a watering can. A copious amount of water can slightly lower the soil, exposing the heel. This will lead to decay of the process or its roots. You need to use, as in the case of the film, a spray bottle.


You should not allow the soil to dry out too much, but you should not overdo it with watering. In case of early cooling or late rooting, you need to fill the container with cuttings with foliage. And if the temperature drops below 5 degrees, it is recommended to cover them with a film, slightly opening them from time to time, giving a stream of fresh air.

Important!If you decide to plant a thuja as a green fence, then you need to take care of the timely cutting of the plant. After two years of slow growth, the thuja is actively striving up. You do not need to allow the height of the plant to be higher than 1.5 meters, otherwise it will be inconvenient for you to cut it.

What to do after rooting

After you have prepared the cuttings in one of the ways, the question arises: what, how and when to do next. With the autumn rooting of thuja branches, they can be planted in a special front garden only the next year. For planting, beds are formed, which are called shkolka. For the garden, choose a place with an average shade. After the land on the site is dug up, you can fertilize it a little with ordinary peat.

Thuya enjoys special love among summer residents. Living thuja fences decorate the site very much. But for such work, dozens of seedlings are needed. Therefore, the question of how to propagate thuja is very relevant for summer residents and owners of suburban areas. Unpretentious frost-resistant thuja is often used to decorate summer cottages, house adjoining territories. The reproduction of this conifer involves three methods: seed, cuttings, grown trees (ready-made seedlings). Let's consider all three.

The option with seeds is very long, labor-intensive, since at least 5 years will pass by the time the bush is planted in the ground. In addition, thuja may lose its varietal characteristics during development, and the only advantage of such a situation will be the adaptation of the plant to the local climate. However, if you are interested in the process itself, then you will need a soil mixture (sand, coniferous, deciduous land), high-quality seeds. It is important that the seed material has previously been stratified - overwintered under a layer of snow.

With the advent of spring, thuja seeds are placed in containers with nutrient soil, covered with earth mixed with sawdust of coniferous crops. Propagation of thuja seeds at home entails traditional concerns: protecting seedlings from scorching rays sun, timely watering, getting rid of weeds, top dressing. After 5 or even 6 years, young thuja can be planted on the site.

Cutting propagation is the most convenient, effective way. A big plus of this method is the preservation of the varietal qualities of the tree, as well as the ability to get full-fledged small trees in two or three years. Of the minuses, it is worth noting the reduced endurance and a small percentage of survival of the bushes. For this situation, this is normal, if you do everything according to the rules, then positive result will not keep you waiting.

Consider the propagation of thuja at home by cuttings. What season to choose for this - spring or autumn?

Propagation of thuja cuttings in spring

Most often, novice gardeners are concerned about the question - reproduction of thuja in the spring, how best to do it. With spring rooting, all processes are faster, as the movement of juices in the shoots is activated. Harvesting planting material is practically no different from the above method. For the selection of cuttings, healthy branches from the top of the thuja are also used, which are no more than 3 years old.

Reproduction of thuja in the spring is best done in April, with the manual separation of the branch, the “heel” should be preserved. If for some reason you missed April, then you can have time to "catch" the second period of shoot growth - this is June. It should be borne in mind that the June cuttings will "sleep" the summer, autumn, winter, and take root only by spring.

The best way for spring propagation is the substrate method and active moisturizing. Water or the diaper method will not work here due to insufficient moisture during the activation of the root system. The process itself is very similar to autumn cuttings, but sometimes the soil mixture is replaced with clean sand.

Thuja - propagation by cuttings in spring, stages:

  1. We put the selected shoots in water with Kornevin for 24 hours.
  2. We take boxes or other containers with large quantity holes at the bottom, lay a layer of medium-sized rubble.
  3. Pour clean sand on top, which can be calcined or doused with boiling water. You can also use the soil mixture mentioned above.
  4. Spill the sand with a solution of potassium permanganate, it should be pink, but not too dark.
  5. When the sand or substrate has cooled, we immerse the thuja branches there to a depth of 1-1.5 cm, lightly trample it with our hands.
  6. Since it is still cool in spring, containers with cuttings should be placed where conditions are similar to greenhouse conditions. At the same time, the air temperature should not be lower than +17ºС, higher than +23ºС.

This place should be shaded, seedlings should be irrigated daily from a spray bottle. If the spring turned out to be hot, then spraying should be done twice a day. At the same time, make sure that moisture does not get on the green leaf plates - the process of decay may begin. After two months, it will become clear which cuttings have taken root, by which time the risk of drying out of the planting material is significantly reduced.

Thuja - propagation by cuttings in autumn

But there is also an opinion that it is the autumn harvesting of twigs for planting that is more appropriate, since in autumn the sap flow slows down, respectively, the number of seedlings dying from lack of moisture decreases. Keep in mind that the rooting process will take longer. Slightly consider the reproduction of thuja in the spring

To collect twigs, it is better to choose a non-sunny day in October, when the leaves have already fallen from the trees (in the Kuban, this may be the beginning of November). It is best to pinch off shoots from the top, it is best to choose those branches that are already 3 or 4 years old.

Select only lignified branches, not exceeding 50 cm in length. The "correct" shoot at the end should have a woody "heel" - part of the bark, thanks to which new roots will develop. The longer this “heel” is, the better the rooting process will go. Remove about 3-4cm sheet plates from the end of the escape and proceed to the next step.

Reproduction of thuja cuttings in a jar of water

Water is the lightest accessible way activation of thuja roots. To do this, take a small container, fill it with water, set the branches so that the water covers the ends by about 2 cm. Do not place more than 3 or 5 cuttings. Make sure that the green parts of the shoots do not come into contact with water - this contributes to the further decay of the planting material. After that, choose a bright, slightly cool place for the container.

Seedling care is a timely replacement of water (when it becomes cloudy). At this time, the cuttings are removed from the jar, the roots are wrapped with a clean, damp cloth. new water must be disinfected with a pair of potassium permanganate crystals.

Rooting cuttings of thuja in the substrate, sphagnum

Propagation of thuja by cuttings in autumn is possible in different ways, for example, using a substrate. This method is more advantageous than the option with water, which does not contain any nutrients, but with the substrate, the rooting process will be much more productive.

To make seedlings healthier, hardier, prepare:

  1. Boxes or other forms with holes (for soil aeration). Lay fine gravel (drainage) on the bottom, mix equal parts of leafy humus, sand, peat.
  2. Ignite the resulting soil mixture in the oven. If you have potassium permanganate at home, then make a dark solution and additionally spill the soil for reliability.
  3. Place the cuttings for 10-12 hours in water with a pre-diluted biostimulating preparation "Kornevin".
  4. Fill the containers with the substrate, make recesses for the cuttings. Deepen the seedlings themselves by 1.5-2 cm, sprinkle sand on top (which can also be pre-calcined), lightly tamp.
  5. Next, the box should be covered with plastic wrap, put in a bright place, while the air temperature should be +18..22ºС. When condensation appears on the walls of the mini-greenhouse, slightly open the film on one side (for ventilation).

With substrate rooting, it is important not to overdo it with watering and prevent the soil from drying out. Moisturizing is best done by spraying with a spray gun, since the weight of water can crush the soil, expose the “heel”.

There is one more interesting way, in which the autumn reproduction of thuja is carried out using sphagnum (peat moss). This method implies, as it were, swaddling the shoots with a kind of cocoon, this method so it is called - rooting of thuja cuttings in diapers.

In addition to sphagnum, you will need polyethylene film, clean tissue, as well as the drug "Kornevin".

  1. As described above, we place the thuja shoots in water with a rooting stimulator (for 10-12 hours).
  2. Pour sphagnum boiled water for about 3 hours, so that it swells, saturated with moisture.
  3. We lay out a wide strip of fabric on the table, visually divide its width in half, evenly spread wet sphagnum along the entire length of the upper strip. The lower free part of the width of the diaper will be needed in order to cover the cuttings and moss, and then we carefully roll this strip into a roll.
  4. At a short distance from each other, we lay thuja branches, surrounding the “heels” with sphagnum.
  5. We cover the cuttings with the lower part of the strip, so that the green tops are free, we turn the roll.
  6. The resulting sack is placed inside a plastic bag, hung in a well-lit place (but not in direct sunlight).

Such propagation of thuja by cuttings is considered the easiest, thanks to moss, the required moisture level is maintained for a long time. The lack of moisture can be determined by the absence of condensation on the inner walls of the bag - if it is dry, then the diaper should be moistened with a spray bottle.

Growing thuja

cuttings of spring or autumn harvest require growing. For this, special beds are formed, which is called shkolka. They will stay there for 2 or 3 years, after which they will be transplanted to a permanent place of residence. autumn cuttings planted in school next year, and spring ones already in September of this year.

The place for young thuja should be green, the soil should be peat (you can add 1 bucket per 1 m²), the cuttings are planted at a distance of 25-30 cm from each other, watered. At this stage, the seedlings will already gain strength, you just have to take care of them properly - water and destroy weeds in a timely manner.

Tui reproduction is an interesting, productive process, since you can get dozens of "kids" from one tree. After 2-3 years, these will be full-fledged small trees, with the help of which you can plant trees on your site, give it individuality.

Thuja is unpretentious evergreens cypress family. Exist indoor views and those that grow in open field and are widely used in garden decoration.

Growing thuja at home is possible from a cutting. This method has several advantages over growing with seeds. Thuja, grown from a cutting, retains varietal qualities, and the plant becomes a full-fledged plant in the second or third year of life. The disadvantage is that 70-80% of plants survive from all harvested cuttings.

Growing from cuttings

How to grow thuja from a sprig at home? Thuja is unpretentious, and both the warm climate and the conditions of the Urals and Siberia suit it. Next, we will consider how the process of breeding thuja with a cutting takes place.

Selecting the season for planting

Thuja can be propagated in autumn or spring. Both periods have their pros and cons.

Benefits of autumn breeding:

The disadvantage is that it will take more time to root, since autumn is a dormant period.

The spring breeding season is mid-spring (March and April). The advantage of spring cuttings is that the shrubs begin their growth again, and the cut shoots are most prepared for the formation of roots and further growth. The disadvantage is the need for cuttings in in large numbers water due to active growth. For this reason, even a short time absence of moisture jeopardizes the appearance of the root.

Selection of planting material

Young branches are selected as planting material. The plant from which branches should be cut should not be more than three years old. Shanks must match the following parameters: length - no more than half a meter, have a piece of bark at the end, diameter - 5-8 mm.

How to prepare a cutting

Autumn harvesting of cuttings falls on mid-autumn - October. For harvesting branches, choose a cloudy day. Shoots are best picked from the top of the plant. If the plant is tall, then the choice should be made in favor of branches that are 3-4 years old. It is worth choosing cuttings covered with wood, no more than half a meter long. The branch should be torn off the tree with a sharp movement so that a piece of bark remains at the end.

Tui cuttings

Root formation in coniferous plants is difficult; to facilitate this process, certain rules should be followed.

Rules to be followed after picking a thuja branch:

  • the base of the planting material is cut obliquely;
  • the bark near the cut is removed;
  • cuts are made along the shoot;
  • the needles are removed along the entire shoot, except for the tip;
  • the whole process is completed within short span time so that the stalk does not have time to wither.

How to root thuja cuttings

There are several ways to root thuja. For autumn and spring periods they differ.

In autumn, the following methods are preferred:

  • in water;
  • in the substrate;
  • in fabric.

Rooting cuttings in water is the easiest method. To do this, you need to pour water into the container and place the branches there, so that the green part is above the surface of the liquid. Do not put more than three cuttings in the container. Planting material is placed in a cool place with natural light.

Note! Ordinary water does not contain nutrients, so the cuttings this method roots have a low survival rate.

The next rooting method is with the help of a substrate. The cuttings are placed in water for 12 hours. For them, containers are prepared with many holes for ventilation. Drainage is placed at the bottom (expanded clay or gravel). The soil is a mixture of peat, leafy soil and sand. The mixture is calcined and poured with a solution of manganese. Next, you should fill the containers with the prepared substrate and make indentations of about 15 millimeters. The branches fall into the pits at an angle of 60 degrees. From above, the substrate is sprinkled with sand and compacted.

The method of rooting in tissue is the most effective and easy to care for. The risk of root rot is reduced. For this method, a plastic bag, moss (sphagnum), a piece of cloth, growth stimulants are taken.

Moss is soaked in boiled cool water for 2-3 hours. Soaked moss should be placed in the middle of the fabric, cuttings are placed on top of it, observing the distance between them. The fabric is folded so that the green part does not protrude. The fabric is pulled with a rope or elastic band. The bundle should be placed in a bag and hung at home in a well-lit place (on the window).

Note! Do not hang a bag of cuttings on a side that is too lit by the sun.

In the spring it is better to grow cuttings in the ground. To do this, place the branches in a solution with growth stimulants for a day. In a container with a large number holes to place drainage and sand. The sand is saturated with boiling water, and then poured with a solution of manganese. Cuttings should be planted in a cooled substrate to a depth of 15 millimeters. After planting, the containers are placed in a greenhouse or greenhouse. Temperature regime suitable for seedlings: minimum 17 degrees, maximum - 23. Caring for cuttings consists in daily spraying, in hot weather - watering twice a day.

Important! The green part must not be wetted, as there is a risk of decay.

After two months, roots will begin to appear.

Preparations to improve root formation

After cutting the cuttings and preparing them for further rooting, the shoots are placed in a solution of a root formation stimulator. In a jar with the drug, the shoots are from 12 to 24 hours. To stimulate the appearance of roots, the drug Kornevin or Kornerost is used.

Rules for planting cuttings in open ground

Cuttings harvested in both autumn and spring need to be grown. Thuja should be grown in schools. This is the name of the special beds where the seedlings will grow for 2-3 years. Spring cuttings can be planted on the street as early as September, and autumn cuttings - only the next year.

Planting a cutting

Thuja growing conditions in open ground:

  1. transplanting seedlings into shkolki:
  • the site for the school is selected in partial shade;
  • the soil is dug up, and peat is added to it;
  • cutting pots are watered to ensure easy extraction;
  • cuttings are planted in a school, the distance between seedlings is 25 centimeters;
  • watering.
  1. after 2-3 years transplant to a permanent place.

How to care for a young plant

A young tree requires watering every day, and also needs top dressing. The first fertilizers are applied immediately after planting in a new place. Growth stimulants are used as top dressing, they are necessary for successful rooting and increased immunity. The soil under the seedling should be loosened regularly. Care involves removing weeds and mulching. For the winter, young plants are covered with polyethylene, foliage is placed under the roots on the ground. In the spring, when it gets warmer, the shelter is removed.

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