Lesson 1:

Propagating Fruit Trees

Fruit trees are those trees which bear fruits for
the comsumption and use of humans or
animals and for the reproduction of their own
species. Most of us want to plant and grow
fruit trees in our own homes for their tasty
fruits.
It is a joy to watch the trees develop flowers
which later on become fruits; and it is even
more exciting to pick the fruits by ourselves
as they ripen.
Fruit trees may be easy to take care of when
they are already grown-up and mature, but not
all people can grow trees even if they wish to.
First, fruit trees need bigger spaces in which
to grow. Their trunks become very big and
their foliage and roots spread far and wide. To
be able to grow trees, one must have a space
in the yard wide enough for the expansive
branches and roots.
Another reason is that one has to be very
patient in waiting for the trees to bear fruits.
Some fruit trees take more than ten years to
bloom and develop fruits.
Means of Propagating Fruit Trees
For those who would like to plant fruit trees,
there are several ways by which they may be
propagated.
1. By means of their seeds.
2. By means of seedilings solf in plant
nurseries.
3. By means of rooted cuttings done through
layering.
Growing Trees from Seeds
What are some of your favorite fruits?
What do you do with the seeds of these
fruits? Do you just throw them away?
Trees grow from seeds; therefore, the seeds
that you throw away can also grow into fruit-
bearing trees if they fall into good soil,
receive nutrients, and get enough water and
sunlight.
The most important factor to consider is that
the seed must come from a high quality fruit
and that it must be adaptable to the planting
site.
Here are some examples of your favorite
fruits that grow from seeds.
 Atis
Avocado Santol Tamarind
Mango

Mangosteen Langka Camachile

Chico
These fruits grow well in a tropical place, like
our country. For the seeds to germinate, we
must plant them in containers with compost-
rich soil and keep them well-watered until
their roots sprout. Let them grow to a
sufficient size and height until they are ready
for transplanting.
Some seeds, like lemon, calamansi, or orange,
have slimy skin. It is best to wash and dry the
seeds before planting. The slime encourages
the growth of molds and bacteria that will
cause the decay of the seeds before they
germinate.
Growing Trees from Seedlings
Seedlings may be bought from plant nurseries
or plant stores. Usually they are grown in
plastic bags or in recycled cans. It is highly
recommended to choose grafted or layered
seedlings for they mature and bear fruits much
easier than those grown out of seeds.
Here are the steps in transplanting a young
seedling into the ground.
1. Dig a hole a little deeper than the root.
Make it wide and deep enough to
accommodate the longest roots without
bending them. Always use enriched soil as
your backfilling material.
2. Loosen the sides of the hole. The diameter
of its bottom parts must be larger for
easier root expansion and better anchorage.
3. Remove the container of the seedling
before planting.
4. Prune off any broken, twisted, or rotten
root before lowering the seedling into the
hole in the ground.
5. Refill the hole with fertilized soil,
thumping the soil around the roots.
6. Gently water your plants.
7. To protect the plant from stray animals,
you may put a tree guard or caging around
it. Tie the seedling to the stake to preventits
movement until such time that the roots are
deeply anchored to the soil.
Tree Guard
Growing Trees by Air Layering
Air layering is a method of propagating a new
plant from an existing one. This popular
method guarantees that the tree will bear fruits
in lesser time, and that the fruits will taste the
same as the fruits of the mother plant.
These are the steps in growing trees by air
layering.
1. You will need the following materials to
do air layering:
a. A sharp knife.
b. Thick cotton thread.
c. Clean plastic sheet.
d. Pruning shears or a pair of scissors.
e. Moss.
f. Soil
2. Select a branch that is healthy and free
from pest attcks. You do not need a very thick
branch. A branch that is about half an inch
thick will be just right for air layering.
Choose also a branch that is starting to grow
new leaves.
3. Using the knife, make two clean cuts
around the branch. See to it that the cuts are
about two inches apart.
4. Remove the bark between the two cuts.
5. Make a ball of soil mixed with moss and
wrap it around the area where the bark has
been remove.
6. Use a plastic sheet to secure the soil
around the bark.
7. Tie the ends of the plastic sheet tightly,
using the cotton thread. The upper opening
should be slightly open for watering
purposes.
8. Wait for the roots to grow and come out of
the plastic sheet.
9. Cut the part of the branch below the
rooted portion. Remove or simply tear the
plastic and carefully plant the pruned part
into the soil.
10. Water your plant regularly and watch it
grow. Maintain and take care of your plant
for it to bear fruits.
Test your knowledge about trees.
1. Give at least five trees that are known for
their fruits.
2. Give at least five trees that give good
lumber.
3. Do you know of trees that are good source
of medecine? Give at least five trees.
4. Which trees bear bright-colored flowers
that make our surroundings beautiful?
Name five.
5. Which trees have thick foliage that
provide shade? Name five.
6. Name on tree that provides us with
clothing materials.
6. Name on tree that provides us with
clothing materials.
7. Name a tree that is a source of perfume.
8. Which tree gives resin that is made into
rubber?
9. Which tree is called the “tree of life”?
10. Which tree provides us with oil?