Vegetative Propagation of Pyrus Communis, Common Pear

Vegetative propagation of Pyrus communis, Common pear

*Ideally, vegetative propagation of Pyrus is done by budding and grafting, or by micropropagation. But asexual reproduction of this plant is possible by traditional cutting and rooting (under ideal conditions).

By Bruce McLean – NC Cooperative Extension – Bladen County

• Take a firm, terminal branch cutting (of 4-6” in length) from the desired tree – collected late July into August
• Remove all of the foliage, except for the last 3 leaves.
• Gently scrape the cambium layer (bark) on the lower (cut end) 1” of the cutting. Do not scrape hard enough to remove the entire cambium layer, just enough to change the fleshy color (of the cambium) to a fresh green color.
• Immediately dip the cutting into water (to moisten the freshly scraped area at the lower end of the cutting)
• Once it has dripped dry, stick cutting into rooting compound (Hormodin 8,000 ppm IBA rooting powder, etc.), about 1 ½” deep (enough to completely coat the wound made from scraping
• Have a mixture of equal parts finely ground pine bark and builders’ sand prepared and placed into a container(s) (containers can be small individual pots, cell packs or rooting flats). Moisten mix thoroughly.
• Sprig cuttings immediately, to a depth of approximately 2”.
• Place flats (or pots) under misters. Keep potting mix moist; do not allow it to get too wet or too dry (either condition can cause failure to root). The surface of the potting mix should be just moist to the touch. Misters on a timer work best for this situation. Normally, misting a couple of times a day, for 2-5 mins, works well. Adjust timer as needed.
• Place cuttings in a shady environment; too much sunlight could cause the cuttings to deteriorate, and dry-out rapidly.
• Do not apply any type of fertilizer or lime at this time. This will not need to be applied until substantial roots have formed.
• If small individual pots were use to sprig the cuttings, a bag can be placed over the top rim of the pot (creating a tent or bubble over the cuttings). This will maintain moisture at a higher percentage and hasten rooting of the cuttings.
• Maintain the cuttings, until you notice new growth at the tip of the cutting. At this time, it may need to be necessary to sacrafice a couple of cuttings, in order to check root development. If good root development has occurred, you can replant it individually, into a larger pot. Allow it to grow some and then fertilize it –(lightly at first, and later increasing it to a normal fertilization regiment). Also during this time, decrease water application to the plant, from a twice-daily mist to an (as needed) overhead watering. By doing this, this will allow the plant to harden-off and become stronger.