White mulberry plant (cutting) online

White mulberry is a species of mulberry plant. Red and white mulberries are two important species (varieties) of genus Morus.

Cultivation practice of mulberry: Method of propagation

Common name	Mulberry
Scientific name	Morus alba (white)
Family	Moraceae

Mulberry also known as sahtoot (शहतूत) in Hindi is a temperate fruit crops. It is cultivated as a fruit crop as well as a fodder crop for rearing mulberry silk worm. Although it is a fodder plant of silk worm, some varieties are very sweet to eat. Both red and white fruits are very sweet, tasty and juicy. Red fruits are common while white fruits are very attractive. Maysore is famous for its cultivation.

Trees are small to medium growing up to hight of 5-19 m. A normal tree bears fruits after 3-4 years. Flowering starts in February-March. Black and white fruits set as a bunch during May-June. Fruits look like a black or white caterpillar. Fruits contain sugar, iron, vitamin A, etc. A single plant may produce 5-10 kg fruits. Fodder trees produce 40-50 q. leaves/ha.

Fruits start rotting very soon. Fruits are used for preparing jam, juice, wine etc. The taste of fruit is sweet and sour. Fruits are appetizer, coolant, laxative, and blood booster.

Climate

• It can be grown in any type of climate. Plants can resist drought and frost. Cultivation is easy in any condition.
• Altitude: 800 m MSL.
• Optimum temperature: 55.5° F to 98° F. This temperature is ideal for the optimum growth and good sprouting of the buds.
• Wilting is common when the relative humidity goes below 65%.
• Direct sunlight is very harmful for 1 month old cuttings.
• Low rainfall checks the growth of plants.

Soil

It is suitable for all types of soils.
Soil pH: Optimum soil pH is 6.2 to 6.8. Saline soil is not suitable. Slightly acidic soil is good for growth of plants. 

Varieties: Choose local varieties which is suitable for all type of climates.

Irrigation

• Plants require a lower number of irrigation.
• Irrigation is very important during the initial 1-2 months for the plants which have been raised by cutting.
• Regular irrigation is necessary until the establishment of plants.

Manures and fertilizers

The quantity of manures and fertilizers is not fixed. Although regular application of N fertilizer is beneficial.

First year

• FYM: 20 kg per plant
• N: 200 g plant

Next five year

• FYM: 50 kg
• N: 50 g per year

Apply P and K as per phalsa.

Propagation method of Mulberry

The method of propagation of mulberry are two types:

• Seed
• Cutting

Propagation by cutting is very easy. Hardwood cutting is used in mulberry for vegetative propagation.

Steps in propagation by cutting

Materials: Secateur, root powder, plant tray or polybags.

Method

Step 01: Selection of shoots

• Select hard shoots for the preparation of cuttings.
• Mother plant should be at least one year old.
• Semi-hardwood cutting is adopted in preparation of cuttings.
• The diameter of an individual shoot should be similar to a pencil or double of it.
• Each shoot should have at least 3 knots.
• It should be free form insect-pests and diseases.

Step 02: Using secateur

Use new secateur or sterilize the old one before use. You can sterilize it with formaline.

Step 03: Preparation of cutting

• Start cutting the shoots after the selection of shoots and sterilization of secateur.
• The length of each cutting should be 15-20 cm.
• The cut on the base end should have a 45° angle while the cut on the top of the cutting should have a flat cut.

Step 04: Preparation of soil bed

• Soil bed can be prepared before the preparation of cuttings.
• Mix garden soil and FYM in 50:50 ratio for the preparation of soil bed.
• Always make raised bed.
• The height of the bed should be 12-15 cm while the length and width can be adjusted.

Step 05:

• Insert 3/4 parts of the base end of cutting in soil media.
• Make sure that each cutting should have been planted at 45° angle.

Plantation

One year old rooted cutting are ready for transplanting in the main field.
Planting distance for fruit-plant is 7-8 m. It should be 1.5-2.5 m for leaf producing plants.

Size of pits: Make 0.75 × 0.75 × 0.75 m pit for each plant. Fill the pits with 10 kg of FYM, 1/2 kg of MOP, and 1/2 kg of superphosphate.

Best time for plantion: It is rainy season. Spring season is also best for plantation.

Training and pruning

The best time for pruning is December and January. Training is very important in newly sprouted cuttings. These are very soft and may be broken by the strong wind.

Methods of pruning

There are three methods of pruning

• Bottom pruning 
• Middle pruning 
• Kolar or Strip system 

Bottom pruning

• Cut the plant at ground level leaving 10-15 cm stump above the ground. 
• Do it once in a year.

Middle pruning 

• Cut the branches at 40-60 cm above the ground level. 
• Make subsequent cuts at 45-50 cm height after bottom pruning

Kolar or Strip system 

• Apply this method of pruning in closely planted trees.
• Cut the branches at ground level. 
• Do five prunings in a year. 
• It is severe pruning.
• You need to do heavy fertilization and irrigation.

Harvesting of leaves

Harvesting is done during morning hours. There are three methods of harvesting of mulberry leaves.

• Leaf picking
• Branch cutting
• Whole shoot harvest

Leaf picking

• Harvest individual leaves.
• You can harvest leaves with or without petiole. 
• Start picking leaves 10 weeks after bottom pruning.
• Do subsequent pickings at an interval of 1.5-2 months.

Branch cutting

Cut the entire branches to feed worms.  Before that perform topping to ensure uniform maturity of the lower leaves.
           
Whole shoot harvest

• Cut the branches at ground level.
• Follow bottom pruning. 
• Harvest the shoots at an interval of 2.5-3 months.
• Harvest 5 to 6 times in a year.

Harvesting of fruits

Along with sprouting, fruiting also starts. Juicy fruits are harvest at fully ripe stage.

Care in preparation of cuttings

• Make a sharp clean cut at both the ends of cuttings.
• Don’t split the bark of shoot-cutting.
• You can use stem cutting machine for quick cutting of shoots.

Frequently asked questions