Senin, 02 Maret 2009

How to Propagate Shrub by Cuttings

By Michael Hills

Once the cuttings have rooted they should be hardened off in the autumn by removing the glass and left in the frame for the winter. Woody plants that throw out shoots from the roots may be propagated by root cuttings. This is a fairly simple method, which may be carried out during the dormant period when the gardener has the most time.

Such plants as Hippophae rhamnoides, Chaenomeles lagenaria, Rims typhina, Rubus sp . or Campsis radicans can be propagated in this way. It is best to take the cuttings in December before the soil freezes.

Summer or softwood cuttings are an even more effective means of propagation, used with shrubs that do not multiply well from winter cuttings, e.g. Cytisus, Viburnum, Spiraea, Staphylea, Rhamnus. Summer cuttings must be inserted in a greenhouse, frame, or box covered with glass because they wilt easily and require a moister atmosphere. Summer cuttings are taken from June to the end of August according to the nature and maturity of the shoots. Cuttings from evergreens are usually taken as late as August.

Summer cuttings are taken from spring shoots when they begin to turn woody at the base. They are shorter than winter cuttings, from 4 to 10 cm in length. The bottom cut is again made just below the bud, where new tissue is produced more readily. All leaves are removed from the bottom part of the cutting that is to be inserted into the rooting medium. If the remaining leaves are more than 8-10 cm long, it is best to shorten them by at least half to limit transpiration. 'The best rooting medium for cuttings is a mixture of one part gritty river sand and one part peat, on top of which is added a 1-1.5 cm layer of river sand. This is then well watered and lightly tamped down.

The cuttings should be inserted to about 1/3rd of their length in holes made with a dibber slightly thicker than the cuttings and lightly firmed in. The bed or pot should then be well watered and covered with glass.

The first buds appear in about four to five weeks, at which time the boxes are exposed to the light so that the shoots will be short and sturdy. The ensuing care is the same as with plants from stern cuttings.

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