Effects of Cutting Size and Cutting Season on Propagation Efficiency of Double Petaled Red Camellia (Camellia Japonica L.)

ABSTRACT: The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of cutting season and cutting size on shoot growth and rooting ability of double-petaled red camellia (Camellia japonica L.) propagated by cuttings. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with three cutting diameter classes (15 - 20 mm, 25 - 30 mm, and 35 - 40 mm) and four cutting seasons (spring, summer, autumn, and winter). The results showed that both factors significantly affected survival rate, bud sprouting, shoot growth, and rooting ability (P < 0.05). Cuttings propagated in spring and autumn exhibited higher survival rates (80,0 – 89,0%) and bud sprouting rates (77,1 – 86,0%) compared with summer and winter. Among cutting sizes, the 25 - 30 mm diameter cuttings showed superior performance, achieving the highest rooting percentage (81,5 – 85,8%), number of roots (3,4 – 3,6 roots per cutting), and root length (4,1- 4,4 cm). Smaller cuttings showed limited rooting capacity, while larger cuttings were less stable across seasons. It is therefore recommended that double-petaled red camellia should be propagated by cuttings in spring or autumn using cuttings with diameters of 25 - 30 mm to obtain high propagation efficiency.