How to Propagate a Chinese Mulberry Tree

Overview

Chinese mulberry is a deciduous tree that can sometimes grow to 25 feet high. However, many Chinese mulberries grow as a shorter, broader tree or bush unless pruned to grow tall. Leaves on Chinese mulberries are smaller than on other mulberries and the Chinese mulberry produces male and female flowers on separate plants. Although Chinese mulberries can be propagates from seed, propagating from softwood cuttings is common.

Step 1

Cut a 4- to 6-inch-long piece of new growth from the existing mulberry. Use a sharp knife and make the cut at a 45-degree angle to the branch. Avoid branches with flowers and take the cutting as early as possible in the morning.

Step 2

Remove the leaves from the lower third of the cutting and make vertical cuts on the bark on the lower inch or so of the cutting.

Step 3

Pour some rooting hormone into a container. Dipping the cutting into the main hormone package can contaminate the remaining hormone and adversely affect its future performance.

Step 4

Fill a peat pot with a mixture of half pearlite and half peat moss.

Step 5

Dip the bottom inch of the cutting in the rooting hormone.

Step 6

Create a 2-inch-deep hole in the potting soil mixture with your finger. Making the hole will prevent the rooting hormone from being rubbed off the cutting when inserting it.

Step 7

Place the cutting carefully in the hole. Be careful to not allow the sides of the hole to brush off the rooting hormone.

Step 8

Press the soil mixture inward until it contacts the cutting.

Step 9

Water the pot. Make sure the soil is very moist, but not soaking wet.

Step 10

Cover the pot and cutting with plastic to reduce moisture loss from evaporation.

Step 11

Keep the pot moist until it has rooted and keep the pot and cutting in indirect light. Your cutting should root in three to four weeks.