Learn how to grow a jamun tree from cuttings. A Jamun tree (Syzygium cumini, Java plum, Indian blackberry, black plum, Malabar plum) grown from seed will bear fruit after 8 to 10 years of planting, while a jamun tree propagated from cuttings or grafting may produce fruit earlier. The Java plum tree grown from seed may bear fruit of the different quality than the parent tree, where as the one propagated from the cuttings will have the same fruit quality as their parents.
Growing Jamun Tree From Cuttings
 |
| Jamun Tree with Fruit |
You can grow Jamun tree from seeds, but by following a few simple steps, you can successfully grow it from cuttings and enjoy the benefits of this delicious fruit in a shorter timeframe. In this article, I will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to propagate jamun from cuttings. how to grow plum tree from cuttings
When to Take Cuttings for Propagation
The best time to take jamun cuttings is from spring to early summer. Before taking cuttings, you should disinfect the cutter with alcohol or bleach solution.
Selecting the Right Cutting
First select a correct stem and take cuttings. What type of jamun stems are suitable for rooting?
The first step for growing a jamun tree from cuttings is to take correct stem cuttings.
Select a healthy semi-hardwood stem from a disease-free branch on an established jamun tree. A semi-hardwood cutting bends easily and breaks. But the cuttings that does not bend (too hard), or bends but does not break (too soft) are not good for propagation.
 |
| Taking Jamun Cuttings for propagation |
Cut a pencil thick stem using a sharp and clean cutter. Wrap the jamun cuttings in a damp newspaper while you take them to your home or prepare for other things.
Preparing The Jamun Cuttings
Cut 6 to 8 inch long about 3 to 5mm thick cuttings from the stem. Cut the lower leaves, you may leave one or two top leaves, which you can cut into halves. Each cutting should have a leaf node at its lower side. The node is a bump where a new leaf or stem is about to emerge.
 |
| Prepare Jamun Cuttings for Propagation |
Propagate Jamun Tree in Water
Can jamun cuttings be rooted in water? Placing jamun cuttings directly into water is not a good method of jamun propagation as it grows a weak root system that does not adapt well to the soil. However, you can dip the cuttings in water till you prepare for other things for their propagation in soil.
Growing Jamun Tree from Cuttings in Soil
To root jamun cuttings in soil, take a small pot having many drainage holes to drain excess water. Fill this pot with rooting medium.
The rooting medium should be free-draining. You can use coarse river sand or a mixture of river sand and potting mix. No manure or fertilizer is needed as there are not roots on the cuttings.
Water the pot and move the soil to ensure that soil is wet at all the points. keep the pot aside in shade for an hour to drain excess water.
Planting the Jamun Cuttings
- Slightly scrap 1 inch of the outer bark of the cutting and apply rooting hormone. You can use a commercial chemical rooting hormone or use aloe Vera gel instead.
- Make a hole in the soil and insert the cutting in the hole, ensuring that at least two nodes are below the surface, firm the soil around the base of the cutting.
- Similarly you can plant 3-4 cuttings in the same pot.
- Do not water again, the soil is already moist.
- Enclose the pot in a polythene bag and place at a warm place away from direct sun light, protect it from wind.
- Open the bag every week and mist the cuttings or add a few drops of water on the soil if it looks dry. Close the bag again.
- New growth will emerge in 2 to 8 weeks depending on the temperature. Check for root development after a few weeks by gently tugging on the cutting. If you feel resistance, it indicates the roots have formed. The jamun cuttings will feel resistive by slight pull if roots have developed. You can even see roots coming out from bottom holes of the pot.
- Leave the pot with rooted jamun cuttings in partial shade for 3-4 weeks.
- You can transplant the cuttings in containers or garden bed in a sunny location.
 |
| Jamun Cuttings Planted. Enclose in a Polythene bag to create a mini-greenhouse. |
Transplanting the Rooted Cuttings
- After a few months, when the cutting has developed a healthy root system, it is ready for transplanting.
- Choose a sunny location in your garden with well-draining soil.
- Dig a hole and place the cutting in the hole, and backfill the hole with soil, firming it gently around the base of the cutting.
- Water the newly transplanted cutting thoroughly and continue to provide regular watering as it establishes itself.
 |
| Jamun Cuttings Propagated, New Growth |
How much time it takes to grow jamun tree from cuttings?
While the jamun trees grown from seed start bearing fruit after about 8 years of planting, and grafted trees bear after 6 years, but the jamun tree propagated from a cutting nay bear fruit in a couple of years.
How to grow Jamun tree from cuttings