As with most other fruit trees, the easiest way to propagate the yokeberry is through cuttings or so-called planters. However, your patience is required, because it can take a few months for the first roots to form.
How can I propagate a josta berry?
To successfully propagate a jostaberry, you can use either cuttings or sinkers. For cuttings, cut off young shoots and plant them in potting soil. With lowering plants, place side shoots in a depression in the ground and let them grow.
Propagate josta berries from cuttings
Growing cuttings is a common method for propagating fruit trees. To do this, select suitable young shoots in spring, cut them off and place them either in a pot with special potting soil (€6.00 on Amazon) or directly in a prepared bed. Suitable shoots are approx. 15 to 20 centimeters long and have several eyes. Before planting, cut the cutting diagonally on the underside. This measure makes water absorption easier. The cutting is buried deep into the soil; the top eye only needs to be two centimeters above the soil surface. Fertilization is not necessary because the nutrients cannot yet be absorbed due to the lack of roots.
Propagate josta berries via reducers
Another option for propagation is lowering plants, which remain on the mother plant until the roots develop and are further supplied by it. To do this, bend suitable, longer side shoots down to the ground. The bark is cut at the point where the shoot touches the earth. Now dig a hollow and place the shoot in it. Fill the hollow with soil again, but the tip of the shoot should be sticking out of the soil. Fix the lowering tool with a stone, otherwise it can slip out of the trough again.
How to care for cuttings and sinkers
- Keep cuttings and sinkers moist at all times.
- Water them regularly with rainwater.
- Be careful not to keep the cuttings excessively wet.
- Protect cuttings from cold and frost, e.g. B. through brushwood.
Transplanting rooted cuttings
After a few weeks to months you will notice the first tender leaves on your cuttings or cuttings. As soon as buds and leaves form, the small plants have successfully taken root and can now be planted in their designated location. This should be the case the following autumn - i.e. after about six months. Dig up the cuttings and replant them at their destination. You can cut existing branches back to around four to seven eyes so that the plant develops more shoots next spring. You can separate the sinkers from the mother plant as soon as they have leaves.
Tips & Tricks
Cuttings and planters are extremely sensitive to cold and, in particular, tolerate ground frost poorly. In the first two years, the young shoots should be protected by a thick layer of brushwood.