How Much Water Does Aralia Cordata Need?

Aralia cordata likes moist soil. The amount of water it needs depends on how large it is and the temperature of the weather. It prefers moist, but not too much as to drown its roots.

During the summertime, make sure that you water your plant often, but not so much that it gets drowned. Water your plant no more than once a week if the top 1/3 of the soil is dry.

When watering your plants, ensure that you water them from the bottom and allow the water to go out of the drainage holes. Make sure that the leaves do not get wet because Alia cordata’s leaves will die if they get wet. 

You should make sure that the soil is not too wet or dry because if it is too wet, you should let the water drain out before you water it again. If there is still standing water after a few hours of watering, then you should drain out the excess.

When watering your plant, try to water from the bottom and make sure that you do not put too much water in the soil. The leaves will become too wet and will die. You should water your plants from the bottom and allow the water to go out of the drainage holes.

You should water your plant in the late afternoon or throughout the night because the water will not be there when it is hot outside or at night. Too much water at night will cause the soil to become waterlogged.

How Do You Propagate Aralia Cordata?

Aralia Cordata can be propagated by seed, cuttings, and division. When propagating from cutting, make sure that you first remove all the old leaves to prevent rot. If you are trying to plant them from seed, throw away all the old seeds because they will not germinate.

This plant can be propagated by taking root cuttings from the corms and putting them into a pot of water. You should leave them in water for about 2 weeks and then plant them in moist soil.

When propagating Aralia cordata, you should make sure that you do not over-water it. Sow seeds in autumn in well-drained soil. The seed may take up to two years to germinate.

Take 10-inch long cuttings during the summer months and allow them to dry for a few days before inserting them into a moist medium (such as peat moss). Place cuttings in a lightly shaded area and keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Growth may take up to one year. The following are steps to follow when propagating:

Propagation from seeds;

• Select the plant of choice and take care to remove all dead or diseased parts.
• Prepare the soil by spading and mixing it with peat moss (about 10 percent). This will help in good drainage, aeration, and adequate water holding capacity.
• For successful germination, a minimum temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) is required for all seeds and cuttings.
• Soak the seeds in a hardening solution of canning salt for 24 hours to soften their coats for easier removal.
• Plant the seeds or cuttings at a depth of 1/2 inch to 1 inch apart.
• Water them well and keep the planting area moist, but not waterlogged.
• Fertilize with a weak solution of liquid fertilizer until shoots appear and then stop feeding until flowering occurs.
• Germinate seeds in a well-lit area, such as a greenhouse, where temperatures are kept at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius).
• When seedlings emerge and the first true leaves appear, transplant them into individual pots and grow for one to two years before transplanting them into the garden.
• After planting your seeds, it is very important to water them every day to maintain high humidity levels around them (80 percent or more) until they germinate.
• The seeds will germinate when the seasonal rainfall is sufficient for the plant to grow and thrive.

Propagation from cuttings;

• Select a healthy plant and take care to remove all dead or diseased parts.
• Prepare the soil by spading and mixing it with peat moss (about 10 percent). This will help in good drainage, aeration, and adequate water holding capacity.
• For successful germination, a minimum temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) is required for all seeds and cuttings.
• Soak the cuttings in water for 24 hours before planting to soften their tissues for easier removal.
• Plant the cuttings at a depth of 1/2 inch to 1 inch.
• Water them well and keep the planting area moist, but not waterlogged.
• Fertilize with a weak solution of liquid fertilizer until shoots appear and then stop feeding until flowering occurs.
• Allow the soil to dry out between watering, so that more of the soil moisture can be absorbed by each new leaf blade and root tip after you remove an old leaf or root tip.
• In the fall or winter months, the plants will be dormant in their soil. You can simply remove the topmost foliage to expose the corm at its base and allow it to dry out.
• When the weather is warm enough for germination in spring or early summer, cut the plant back and repot it into a new container filled with fresh soil.
• Keep the plant in a warm, protected area and water it frequently until new growth appears.
• After the plant is growing normally, increase watering to keep the soil slightly moist.
• If you want to transplant your plant into a garden, allow it to flower and fruit before doing so. If your plant does not flower naturally, you can force flowering by withholding water for two to three months until flowers appear on their own (or sooner if desired).

Propagation from division;

• You can divide any time after the plant has been growing for about two years. However, you should wait slightly longer if the plant is flowering or fruiting.
• Remove the plant from its pot and gently shake it upside down to remove all of its soil and roots.
• With a sharp knife, divide it into several new plants by cutting at the base of each old root and pulling apart several small sections as they are cut into separate corms (small bulbs).
• Clean the corms with a brush and pot the new clones into fresh peat moss.
• Plant the corms or divide them and place them in moist soil in a warm, protected area, ideally at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius).
• Water the plants during the new growth period. This will give them a strong start when transplanting.
• After the plant has been growing for about two years, it will be ready to be planted in the garden, where you can keep it under cover through winter to retain more moisture and nutrients.
• Fertilize the corms with a light solution of diluted liquid fertilizer and keep them out of direct sunlight until they have fully formed new shoots.
• Plant the corms in moist, but well-drained soil with good aeration.
• Protect the young shoots from extreme cold and winds until they are established.
• The new plants should flower in two to three years after being planted out into the garden.

How Fast Does Aralia Cordata Grow?

Aralia cordata grows slowly when planted in the nursery. In the natural environment, this tree grows relatively fast, especially when it is young.

The tree will usually grow 1 to 2 feet in a good year. When growing from seed, it will take 2-3 years for the seedling to be ready to be transplanted into the garden.

You should also prepare the soil in the garden by adding organic compost or peat moss. It grows best in full sunlight but will tolerate some shade in an urban environment.

It can be grown as a house plant when kept indoors during cold weather. You should water minimally in winter but water it more during the growing season.

Water it deeply and then let the soil dry out before watering again. When propagating, it is best to use bottom heat. Using a general-purpose liquid fertilizer every two weeks is also a good idea.

Propagating Aralia Cordata from seed can be very slow. If a gardener wants to start with one or two new plants, it is better to propagate them by root cuttings or by cuttings that are taken from the tips of its branches.

You should transplant the new plants directly into the garden. When growing Aralia Cordata in pots, you should use well-draining soil with good aeration. It is best to keep it away from drafts so that the plant does not feel cold. When propagating Aralia Cordata, it is best to use bottom heat. This plant prefers warm temperatures to grow well. The humidity has to be very high.

Aralia Cordata is not frosted tolerant, so you should protect it from the cold during wintertime. When growing it in the garden, you can place a mulch around the base of each plant to retain soil moisture.

Before planting in the garden you should remove all insects and diseases that might affect your plant. Also to increase the root growth, you should cut back some of its old leaves. You can also use a bowl waxed with French polish to keep the soil free of weeds and pests.

How Do I Repot Aralia Cordata?

Aralia Cordata should be repotted every two to three years in late spring or early summer before new growth begins. New plants should be repotted when they are three to five years old. You can start repotting Aralia Cordata when you see roots growing out of the pot’s bottom. 

You should also be repotting a plant if it is root bound, or if the soil around its roots is starting to become dry. You should not repot a plant at the wrong time. If you do, it may die before it gets enough new soil to be able to grow.  The following are the repotting processes;

• Before you repot an Aralia Cordata into a larger container, you should remove it from its existing container, if possible.
• Fill your pot with new sphagnum peat moss or planting mix (not cactus mix), but not so much that the roots are completely covered by the top few inches of soil. Keep the soil aerated by adding holes for air to flow through, which you can make by dipping the bottom of the pot in water and then gently tapping it on a hard surface.
• Mix in a little pure organic fertilizer, such as blood meal and fish emulsion, to help feed your Aralia Cordata.
• Position your plant so that its new roots are a little deeper than the previous root system and that its leaves sit flat against its new container wall, rather than upright.
• Water your plant and put it in a warm, sunny place to continue growing (though keep it away from direct sunlight for a few days if you live in a very hot climate).
• Once your Aralia Cordata has put out new leaves and started to grow again, you should begin watering it regularly and supplying it with a general-purpose liquid fertilizer.