How to propagate holly

Seed propagation of holly

Harvest mature holly berries in autumn, rub off the peel and wash with clean water. The seeds need to be germinated, so they can be stratified with wet sand at low temperature and sown before March of the following spring. The growth is slow during the seedling stage, so attention should be paid to maintenance and management. If holly seeds are not treated for germination, they often take another year to germinate.

Cutting propagation of holly

Holly cuttings can be carried out in all seasons, and are suitable for late spring to early summer and late summer to early autumn. Generally, softwood cuttings are chosen to be carried out in the rainy season. The cuttings are 6 to 8 cm long. The lower leaves are removed, and 1-2 leaves are retained and cut short. The cuttings are inserted 1/2 deep. Sand is used as the substrate. After insertion, a shed is built to provide shade. Water is sprayed frequently to keep the soil moist. The cuttings will take root in about a month.

Precautions for the reproduction of holly

After the seedlings have been cultivated in the nursery for 2 or 3 years, they can be transplanted and planted. It is best to choose spring for transplantation. Be careful when digging the seedlings to avoid damaging the roots and transplanting with soil. When first planting, do a good job of tillage and weeding, water appropriately, and strengthen management. In addition, holly is susceptible to damage by white wax borer and sooty mold, so pay attention to timely prevention and control.