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Cuttings:
Cuttings are the most popular and the easiest method of propagating plants and trees of any kind in your Japanese miniature garden. A new shoot is generally cut from the stem of the parent tree. A cutting should always include the "heel," which is where the shoot bends to meet the stem. In order to prepare your cutting for the compost, make sure that all the little buds and side shoots have been nipped off well.
Cuttings of poplars and willows should be transplanted during spring, while roses and conifers should be planted in late summer. The rock plants, alpines and flowering shrubs are best planted in early autumn or late summer, while the cuttings of succulents can be planted any time in your Japanese garden.
Layering is another form of cutting where the parent plant does all the “nursing.” During springtime, the new shoot is bent towards the ground and without separating it from the parent plant, the tip of the shoot is turned upward, to form a “U.” A small hole should be dug in the soil and the bottom half of the U should be inserted, tied down and covered again with soil. The tip of the shoot will then emerge above the soil. The surrounding soil should be kept constantly moist and by autumn, the shoot is completely cut away from the parent tree and is ready for transplanting.
Divisions:
Division is another variation of cutting. The difference is that since the roots lie on the part of the plant that is separated from the adult plant, it does not generally require any kind of “nursing” and can be transplanted immediately after removal. When removing the plant from the soil, make sure that the roots are not damaged and gently shake the soil away. Then, with a small fork, you need to gently separate the selected growth from the parent plant while separating the roots at the same time. Remember to put the older plant into the soil.
Caring for Your Japanese Miniature Garden Plants
- Seeding Trays and Compost: Seeding trays and compost are required for seeds and the rootless cuttings. Porous earthenware pans and trays with drainage holes or filters at the bottom are preferable. A special mixture of seeding compost should be prepared and saturated. It should be allowed to drain and then kept moist when the seeds and cuttings are placed inside.
- Potting: The plants that have grown roots are considered ready for transplanting. Potting compost can be put in a pan or a tray but is commonly put in pots. Pots should be filled with well-prepared potting compost. The seedlings need to be taken out with utmost care, avoiding damage to the delicate roots of the fragile plants. Place the pots in semi-darkness for the first day and gradually shift them into the light.