| I would like to propagate my existing boxwood shrubs (and other shrubs I have in my front yard) for use in the back yard. How do I do it? |
| Many ornamental plants root easily from cuttings. Taking cuttings at the proper time and providing a suitable environment results in newly rooted plants. I have reasonably good success with softwood cuttings. Softwood cuttings are taken during the summer months (June, July & August) when plants are still growing. They are called softwood because new growth is still flexible and non-woody. Take wood from vigorous, healthy branches, preferably from the upper part of the plant. Avoid weak, spindly growth. Make the cuttings four to six inches long. Make a slanting smooth cut with a sharp knife. Cut directly below a node to help callus the cut surface and reduce the entrance of disease organisms. Remove the leaves from the lower half to one-third of the cutting. Insert the cuttings one to two inches deep into the rooting medium. For cuttings with long internodes, be sure to insert one or two nodes into the rooting medium. Cuttings will root faster and form a better root system when treated with a commercial rooting hormone. Dust the base of the cutting with the rooting compound before it is inserted into the medium. Rooting compounds are available in powder form in small, inexpensive packages from most garden supply stores. Best wishes with your propagation project! |
