Muscle cypresses are ideal potted plants that are also very suitable for bordering beds or growing as bonsai. However, it is not easy to propagate this species of false cypress yourself to obtain several plants. This is how the propagation of the mussel cypress works.
How can I propagate a mussel cypress?
Muscle cypresses can be propagated by cuttings or grafting. In spring or late summer, cut 15 cm long cuttings at an angle, remove the lower leaves and coat them with rooting aid. Place them in lean substrate and keep them moist.
Methods to propagate mussel cypress trees
There are two methods to propagate a mussel cypress: propagation via cuttings or by grafting. Both options require some specialist knowledge.
Growing new mussel cypress trees from cuttings is a little easier. However, refining false cypresses is usually only possible for professionals.
Even with proper husbandry and care, you have to expect that at most some of the shoots will sprout. To be on the safe side, cut more cuttings than you actually need.
Propagation of a mussel cypress by cuttings
- Cut 15 cm long sections diagonally
- remove all bottom leaves
- Coat interface with root aid
- Place cuttings in lean substrate
- place brightly without direct sun
- keep moist but not too wet
The best time to take mussel cypress cuttings is early spring. You can also harvest cuttings again in late summer. However, these must be kept frost-free over the winter.
If the cuttings produce new leaves and shoots, the propagation has worked. This can take several months.
Transplant the new mussel cypresses in good time to the desired location outdoors or in a container.
Refining mussel cypresses
To propagate a mussel cypress by grafting, you need a rootstock. A wild cypress is usually used for this. There must also be a cutting of the mussel cypress.
- Short wild cypress 10 cm above the root
- Cut cuttings of the same size
- Cut underlay
- Treat cutting with root powder
- put into the base
- Wrap the finishing area with raffia
Rootware and cuttings are kept in a bright, not too sunny place. Here too, the propagation has worked if the cutting sprouts again. It can also take quite a long time to see whether the mussel cypress has been successfully propagated.
Tip
Most mussel cypresses available commercially are grafted trees. You need to be particularly careful when cutting back. If you cut the false cypress below the grafting point, only the base will sprout again.
