PROPOGATION

Air-layering :

Air layering is carried out in the month of May/June. In this method a 1-2 year old, healthy, vigorous, mature shoot of 45-60 cm in length and pencil thickness is selected. A circular strip of bark about 3 cm wide just below a bud is completely removed from the selected shoot. Rooting hormones like IBA & NAA 50mg each in Lanoline paste are applied over this portion. Moist sphagnum moss is packed around this portion and tied with polyethylene sheet to prevent the loss of moisture. Application of such hormones promotes early rooting. Light brown roots are visible through the polythene wrap in the month of July-August. The rooted shoot is slowly detached by giving 2-3 successive cuts over a period of week before finally detaching from the parent plant. The polythene sheet is removed before planting them in pots. They are planted in pots and kept in nursery under shade. Top of the shoot is cut back to maintain a proper ratio of leaves:roots. The grafts can be transplanted in the field in the month of September/October.