Bwa-yo - Société Audubon Haiti

148 Piyon
Figure 17.4 G. sepium cuttings exhibit significant
differences in rooting and vigor at both individual
and provenance levels.
Figure 17.5 Propagation methods have a significant
effect on establishing G. sepium. Rooted cuttings
(right) is superior to seedlings sown from
seed (left) in both survival and early growth.
Propagation: Propagation by
stem and branch cuttings is the
method preferred by Haitian
farmers to establish the species.
Normally, cuttings are harvested
at the beginning of the rains and
are cut in lengths 1-2 m to facilitate
establishing a living fence.
They usually are planted as soon
as possible, because the cuttings
mold easily and begin to rot.
Smaller stock, about 20 em long,
are rooted in polythene bags to
establish clonal seed orchards.
The ends are cut parallel at a 45degree
angle to increase the rooting
surface below the soil and to
keep water from penetrating the
pith of the stem from the top.
Notable differences in rooting
and vigor have been observed
among provenances and individual
selections within provenances
(Fig. 17.4). Propagation
methods appear to have a significant
effect on the early surivival
and growth rate of outplanted
seedlings (Fig. 17.S), with rooted
cuttings being supenor to
seedlings started from seed.
The tree can be direct seeded,
though seed is scarcely available
in large enough quantities for
this method to be efficient on a
large scale. Seedlings propagated
from seed do not pose any
problems. Seed prepared for
mass propagation is immersed in
hot water and left to soak for a
couple of days prior to sowing.
About 10 weeks are required to
raise seedlings in containers such
as the Rootrainer or Winstrip,
with the initial 3 weeks under
shade and the final 4 weeks hardening
off. No major insect or dis-