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Propagating shrubs

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Oldiebutgoodie  Send Oldiebutgoodie a private message!


Posted on Monday, January 21, 2008 - 08:42 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

I'd love to hear from any of you who have successfully propagated shrubs. I've read a lot of articles and stocked up on growth hormones, but I like to get the straight goods from someone with experience.

Oldiebutgoodie - Ontario, Zone "5b"
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Growit  Send Growit a private message!



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Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 04:06 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Myrna when you say propogating are we talking from seed or any method?

Growit - Hampshire, Zone "8/9"
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Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 04:37 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Actually, I was hoping to start some from cuttings.

Oldiebutgoodie - Ontario, Zone "5b"
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Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 04:46 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Oh good! I have done a lot of propagating (spelt it right that time too!) from cuttings but not from seed as they take too long.
The easiest for me has been hardwood cuttings in the Autumn. Semi ripe and tip cuttings are prone to damping off so I always take more cuttings than I need of whatever shrub it is.
In some instances you can peel a stem away from the base of a shrub with a bit of root attached. Easy with a suckering shrub but also possible with a small multi stemmed. I am sure there is a technical name for this.
Did you have particular shrubs in mind and are you intending to start indoors?

Growit - Hampshire, Zone "8/9"
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Oldiebutgoodie  Send Oldiebutgoodie a private message!


Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 05:00 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

I am going to have a huge area to fill,
so I'm going to try to start anything I can beg, borrow or steal from family and friends. The only shrubs I currently have are euonymous and spirea, so those for certain. One of my friends has a really pretty shrub that has pale green and white and pink variagated leaves. I have no idea what it's called, but I'll definitely give it a try as well.

Oldiebutgoodie - Ontario, Zone "5b"
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Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 05:40 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Well give me a shout whenever you are ready to start. Both Spirea and Euonymous are easy. I would wait until your Spring and take several heel cuttings from nice new fresh growth and stick several in a 1 litre pot around the edge. Give some protection from frost but leave outside as much as possible. If you want to use HR powder (not necessary with a lot of shrub cuttings) just make sure it is only the tiniest dusting and just on the exposed heel.

Growit - Hampshire, Zone "8/9"
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Maggiepie  Send Maggiepie a private message!


Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 06:07 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Growit wrote on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 05:40 pm:

just make sure it is only the tiniest dusting and just on the exposed heel.


What happens when you use too much hormone powder Moira?
Perhaps that's why I haven't been too successful with some types of cuttings.

Maggiepie - New Brunswick, Zone "4b"
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Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 06:29 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Maggie Too much can form a cap which affects air and moisture reaching the root zone. This can affect the roots ability to break through when developing. Unless you are trying to get something quite difficult to strike I wouldn't bother using any. In a lot of RHS tests it has been shown to have a negligible affect.
Don't forget your powder has a shelf life of only a few months as well.

Growit - Hampshire, Zone "8/9"
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Oldiebutgoodie  Send Oldiebutgoodie a private message!


Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 06:58 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

I've had lots of problems with damp off when I've been starting veggie and flower seeds. Last year I used a product called "No Damp" and didn't lose any of my seedlings. Perhaps I'll use it on my shrub cuttings.

I've totally discarded the idea of starting shrubs from seed because of my age. I'm afraid I might never get to see the fruits of my labours!

I forgot my butterfly bush. I think I'll give it a shot as well.

Oldiebutgoodie - Ontario, Zone "5b"
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Bulliedeux  Send Bulliedeux a private message!



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Posted on Friday, January 25, 2008 - 04:39 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

holy cow, grab your hand pruner, some bags with a few wet paper towels or newspaper and start walking the 'hood. Of course if you don't already know what the shrub is if not leafed out... Good gardeners will be prune spring flowering shrubs after after blooming, so if anything catches your eye and you can see they probably shape it, ask them to give you a call when they prune. Forsythia and viburnum are two that could back you a happy camper.

The absolute easiest method of propagating bushes for me is layering. They'll do it naturally anyway, I just help. Take a low branch that can be be bent to touch the ground. Scoop a shallow little trench, lay the branch in it, cover with soil and put a rock on it or peg it to the ground. It'll root. Good way to make more roses too, especially ones that like to throw long canes like Lavendar Lassie or Zephrine Drouhin. Actually, it works nicely on David Austin's roses too since most of them are floppers anyway. :) Now a twist on this, which I use, is to layer those branches into pots instead of directly into the ground. 1/2gal nursery pot, potting soil, bend that branch so a curve lays in the pot, cover with potting soil then put a rock on it to a. hold it down, b.keep it cool, c. help preserve moisture. Don't layer in pots if someone won't be around to keep them moist though. I use this to propagate clematis too.

Bulliedeux - IL, Zone "5b"
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Maggiepie  Send Maggiepie a private message!


Posted on Friday, January 25, 2008 - 05:07 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Thanks Moira, have been wondering if the gel works better than the powder, and if it has a longer shelf life.

Maggiepie - New Brunswick, Zone "4b"
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Posted on Saturday, January 26, 2008 - 08:12 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Bulliedeux wrote on Friday, January 25, 2008 - 04:39 pm:

I use this to propagate clematis too.

I have an extra clematis as it did this itself! I didn't notice one branch lying along the ground and by the time I did it had rooted itself.

Here are some pictures of hardwood cuttings I took from my Sambucus in the Autumn...budding up nicely now.Plant Forum
Plant Forum Know anybody who wants one? I have no room for them. I don't know why I grew them. Seemed like a good idea at the time.

Growit - Hampshire, Zone "8/9"
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Posted on Saturday, January 26, 2008 - 08:22 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Sorry forgot to post.
Plant Forum This is mummy.

Growit - Hampshire, Zone "8/9"
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Oldiebutgoodie  Send Oldiebutgoodie a private message!


Posted on Sunday, January 27, 2008 - 10:40 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Thanks for your advice, Blaine. It had never occurred to me to use a layering technique, despite the fact that I do this with a lot of my houseplants. I really love forsythia. I'll have to get a few of them started.

I'm afraid I've never been successful with roses, though, so I'll stick with the stuff that grows well for me.

Oldiebutgoodie - Ontario, Zone "5b"
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Posted on Monday, February 04, 2008 - 01:41 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Growit wrote on Saturday, January 26, 2008 - 08:22 pm:

This is mummy.



Is that Sutherland's Gold? I like (have) that one. When I start pruning in the spring, I have a nasty habit of poking cuttings in the mud here and there and more or less for get them. I've had a couple Sambucas root and surprise me (and the eventual recipients of the extras). One way or another, I'm finally breaking down this spring and getting one of those 'Tiger Eyes' sambucas. Multi-season interest, that one PLUS it stays more compact.

Bulliedeux - IL, Zone "5b"
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Posted on Monday, February 04, 2008 - 01:58 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Bulliedeux wrote on Monday, February 04, 2008 - 01:41 pm:

Is that Sutherland's Gold?

Yes it is. I know it is large but it does look quite exotic and also hides my ugly shed!
Bulliedeux wrote on Monday, February 04, 2008 - 01:41 pm:

'Tiger Eyes' sambucas.

Is there one? Are you sure you don't mean Rhus? (Sumach) Can be inclined to sucker, whch is good if you want to propagate, not so good if you want a compact shrub!
Nice to see you posting again Blaine. Does that mean you have finished the house?

Growit - Hampshire, Zone "8/9"
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Posted on Tuesday, February 05, 2008 - 01:01 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

aw rats!! I'm under the influence of sawdust, nail guns, patching compound and mitre joints. Yeah, yeah, that's what it is. I'm developing carpel tunnel syndrome in my mitre joints and my butt joint ain't as tight as it used to be.

no :) me not done playing handy man yet :(

Tiger Eyes Rhus/sumac - Exactamundo!! my bad

Sutherland's Gold - Sambuca and yes, I love that plant. It was going to be too big for where I put the original. Transplanted one of the cuttings and then whacked the original to a stump, dug it out and stomped it in a hole out back with the intentions of letting it be all it can be. well... it be pouting a bit, mostly. :) It survived and finally sent up a couple of new sprouts but isn't near as vigorous without the ready and steady supply of water. It's sure pretty though and last year I had my first flowers and berries. awwwww ;)
(Still gonna get one of those Tiger Eyes though!! I ripped out my original Sumac which I started from some suckers snatched out of a local ditch patch. :) )

Bulliedeux - IL, Zone "5b"
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Posted on Tuesday, February 05, 2008 - 03:29 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Bulliedeux wrote on Tuesday, February 05, 2008 - 01:01 pm:

aw rats!! I'm under the influence of sawdust, nail guns, patching compound and mitre joints. Yeah, yeah, that's what it is. I'm developing carpel tunnel syndrome in my mitre joints and my butt joint ain't as tight as it used to be.

ROFLMAO!!! Too much information!!!
Bulliedeux wrote on Tuesday, February 05, 2008 - 01:01 pm:

me not done playing handy man yet :(

She is obviously letting you out to do the odd post then. Can't wait for your pics of DIY Blaine as opposed to GARDENER Blaine.

Growit - Hampshire, Zone "8/9"
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Greth  Send Greth a private message!




Posted on Sunday, February 10, 2008 - 06:02 am EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

I do heaps of shrubs all the time. I don't usually use propagating hormones, have done the comparison for myself in university horticulture and it really doesn't seem to make much of a difference.
Have heard that an infusion of wormwood can be used to prevent damping off and fungal problems. Not normally an issue here, in semiarid country!
Take lots of cuttings, even if you can't use them all yourself the extra plants make handy gifts you can swap with other gardeners. And on your big block you can happily throw them in as hedges or simply fill up an area until you find something you want more. I've used lots of daisies and scented geraniums as temporary fillers for beds. Im currently playing with conifer cuttings, which tend to take ages and have a lowish success rate. Some will go into the garden, others will be chosen for a bonsai lifestyle!
Here is my propagating area in the shadehouse. The cuttings go into the plastic planter troughs at the right on the shelf. This way I can do lots at a time, and the planters hold enough moisture that there is little risk of them drying out.
Plant Forum
I also do some Artemesias (wormwoods) I think I have about 8 different varieties, they are tough and easy to grow, and not palatable to most of my pests. The kangaroos did eat my true wormwood to the ground once, but never again, and the plant simply thought of it as a strong pruning.

Greth - South Australia, Zone "?"
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Oldiebutgoodie  Send Oldiebutgoodie a private message!


Posted on Monday, February 11, 2008 - 07:56 pm EST :   Last Buddysize PhotosCopy highlighted text to new message Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Thanks for the tips, Greth. Right now I'm envying your shade house. We are in the midst of a cold snap following a two-day storm that amounted to a blizzard at times. The snow bank beside my patio doors is about 3 metres high. It was created when my neighbour hired a Bobcat (mini front end loader) to clear his driveway. He has a very narrow lot immediately west of my much wider one. Even if his lot could have accommodated all the snow, the prevailing westerly winds would have filled his driveway in almost immediately, so there is no alternative to pushing it onto my property. It's really depressing, though.

I'm hoping to build a tiny greenhouse when we are settled in at our farm - just big enough to start a few plants early. I'm too careful with my money to even think about heating it all winer.

Oldiebutgoodie - Ontario, Zone "5b"