Marcotting: A Practical Guide for High-Yield Propagation

Ground Air-Layering: Rooting Without Detachment

We are directly comparing the success rates of rooted cuttings and ground air-layers by applying marcotting in our trials. For cuttings, we detach segments, treat them, and then plant them to stimulate root development. By contrast, with marcotting, you stimulate root growth in place on the parent plant. As you cover branches with soil, new rooted shoots soon emerge, which you can later harvest for transplanting.

Why Marcotting Outperforms Other Methods

As a result, marcotting consistently delivers higher success rates than cuttings, grafting, or traditional air-layering. Furthermore, this approach eliminates the need for rooting hormones.

Essential Considerations for Grafted Plants

It is crucial to note, especially for grafted plants, that you should always perform marcotting on branches above the graft union. This choice ensures that you avoid propagating rootstock, which could otherwise replicate less desirable characteristics if you use rooted suckers from below the graft.