Bonsai propagation: Podocarpus 'maki'

The Podocarpus is an evergreen tree and belongs to one of the genus of conifers. The "Buddhist pine' is a cultural respected tree as the Ginko tree in Asia, and it is specially the symbole of Chinese penjing trees.

On the evolutionary scale, the Podocarpus is more evolved compared to other species of conifers, due to its capacity of adaptation in poor environment, by making a symbiotic relationship with a bacteria, that helps the Podocarpus fixe and use the nitrogen from the air.

This survival strategy is often seen at pioneer plants such as clovers or Elaegnus species. These nitrogen-fixing trees, in some way, prepare the suitable soil and produce 'green natural fertilizers' for other species to develop.

We can notice this symbiosis by observing the root of our Podocarpus bonsai trees, with its small root nodules, which contains bacteria.


There are many ways of reproducing the Podocarpus for bonsai.

Propagation by cuttings: Heel cuttings

Time: from November to January.


heel cuttings



Propagation base


A plastic greenhouse to keep the cuttings fresh


New root system

In this way, I propage the Podocarpus trees every year, at this period of time in my Lotus Bonsai studio.

Happy holidays,
Giang
___________________
www.lotus-bonsai.com

Hi Giangus, What season is Nov-Jan for you, it's fall-winter here.

hi,
For the conifer propagation, winter is suitable for the cutting propagation. I usally start from mid November.
Giang

Thank you, Giang. I am growing a Red-tip Podocarpus that I want to break down into smaller pieces for forest planting. They seem to take rather easily. I broke a branch last season and just stuck it in a pot of soil and it took without further assistance. This is a dwarf variety and looks more like a yew than a podocarpus, it is P. alpinus. Thank you for your very informative posts, both useful and enjoyable!

Hi,
I saw the Podocarpus alpinus last summer in Houston when I worked there. This species is native to Australia, and I couldnt bring it back to the EU and some Serissa varieties. The Podocarpus is pretty easy to propagate by cuttings, with a little heat at the base of a small greenhouse , the new root system comes a little faster. Winter is a time for conifer propagation by grafting and cuttings.

Good night,
Giang