Almond Tree Cuttings: [Concept, Period, Rooting and Planting]

What does it mean to plant by cuttings?

The multiplication or propagation of a vegetable through a part of it, be it a leaf, a branch or a stem, is known as the method of planting by cuttings.

Sowing by cuttings is very useful for those plants that do not produce seeds or that produce a limited number of them.

The cutting or part of the plant must be a fragment that contains buds and a good consistency, in such a way that it can be reproduced under appropriate environmental conditions.

Plants that reproduce by cuttings have the advantage that they retain all the characteristics of the original plant.With this planting method, a good number of plants can be multiplied from a single specimen: homogeneous and of good commercial quality.

The technique of planting by cuttings is widely used and recommended by horticulturists and is the favorite method of gardening enthusiasts because it is simple and easy to carry out.

What is the best time to plant almond cuttings?

The best time to plant almond tree cuttings, and because it is a woody plant species, should be done in autumn- winter.

How to get almond tree cuttings to root correctly?

Once the almond tree cuttings are prepared, they are placed in a glass cup with natural rooting agent, which can be lentils, and are left immersed for a period of 12 hours.

It is recommended to carry out this procedure before sowing the almond tree to guarantee the necessary conditions for a good rooting of the plant.

After 12 hours of soaking the almond tree cuttings in the natural rooting agent, they will be placed in a damp napkin and rolled up and then placed in a plastic bag.

The cuttings will be placed in a dark place and under surveillance so that they remain moist in the part where they are rolled up with the napkin.You will have to wait for the roots to come out before proceeding to sow them.

How should we take the almond tree cuttings to plant them?

The almond tree cuttings must be cut from the lower part of the tree or mother plant, from where a long branch of more or less 50 cm can be obtained.

The branch obtained from the tree will be cleaned of leaves and knots and then cut into several parts.Subsequently, the cuttings are prepared by cutting in such a way that they retain two or three buds, each of them.

The almond tree cuttings should be at least 10 to 15 centimeters so that they have material when they are going to be planted.It is important to take almond tree cuttings from a mother plant that is healthy and in good phytosanitary conditions.

Gardening tools for taking almond tree cuttings must be sharp, clean and disinfected.

How long should we leave almond tree cuttings in water?

Expert gardeners process almond tree cuttings with natural rooting for twelve hours and then place them in a plastic bag, wrapped in a napkin, and place them in a dark place.

Although the almond tree cuttings are not left directly in the water, the humidity must be taken care of until the new roots and some shoots emerge.

Is it convenient to use fertilizer or compost?

Although the supply of nutrients is not so important for the almond tree, at least before the new sprouting and transplantation, nitrogenous fertilizer can be added during the spring and autumn to promote flowering the following year.

The almond rooting substrates must be dense and firm enough to serve as an anchor for the cuttings.They must also have sufficient water retention capacity but with good drainage that allows gas exchange.

A mix of peat moss with perlite will be fantastic for almond trees as they have water retention qualities.Peat is a 100% natural soil improver, which has the quality of retaining water, in addition to improving the structure of the soil.

How long does it usually take for an almond tree cutting to come out?

When it comes to woody species, such as the almond tree, it may take between 3 to 4 months for an almond tree cutting to take root and some shoots.

In general terms, it can be said that almond production is very early, it could be in the 2nd year, although the first important commercial harvest is during the 3rd year.

Full production, according to studies and research, is normally reached in the 7th-8th year, and can be brought forward (6th or 7th year) in high-density and well-managed plantations.In very high-density almond plants, full production can be reached in the 5th year after planting.

Bibliography and references

Bent Ana. (2019). Great Book of Indoor Gardening. First edition. Servilibro Editions, SA Madrid-Spain. PP 43-47.
Manual of propagation of higher plants. Autonomous Metropolitan University, First Digital Edition 2017, Coyoacán. Mexico PDF.