How to Propagate Pinus Radiata

Last Updated: November 5, 2020

This article explains the basics of planting pinus radiata. Pinus radiata is an evergreen tree that grows to 65 meters (213.3 ft) by 10 meters (32.8 ft), and it grows at a very fast rate. Pinus radiata is hardy to zone 8. It is in leaf all year; in the northern hemisphere it is in flower from February to March, and the seeds ripen from January to February. The flowers are monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and are pollinated by wind. This plant is not self-fertile.

Steps

1
Choose the right soil. The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. The plant prefers acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
2
Sow the seed in individual pots in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe, if this is possible. Otherwise, sow it in late winter. A short stratification of 6 weeks at 4 °C (39 °F) can improve the germination of stored seed.
3
Plant seedlings out into their permanent positions as soon as possible. Protect them for their first winter or two. Pinus radiata plants have a very sparse root system and the sooner they are planted into their permanent positions, the better they will grow.
4
Plant out. The trees should be planted into their permanent positions when they are quite small, between 30 and 90cm. It is common enough to plant them out when they are about 5–10 centimeter (2.0–3.9 in) tall. So long as they are given a very good weed-excluding mulch, they establish very well.
5
Try to avoid planting larger trees. Larger trees will check badly and hardly put on any growth for several years. This also badly affects root development and reduces their wind resistance ability.
6
Make cuttings. This method only works when taken from very young trees that are less than 10 years old. Use single leaf fascicles with the base of the short shoot. Disbudding the shoots some weeks before taking the cuttings can help. Cuttings are normally slow to grow away.

Community Q&A

Question

Can you clarify step 6 of this article related to making cuttings?

Ninox

Top Answerer

This method consists of cutting small buds on young trees, then replanting them in cutting compost.

Warnings

Leaf secretions inhibit the germination of seeds, thereby reducing the amount of plants that can grow under the trees.

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Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus.

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