July 27, 2001, Newsletter Issue #36: Propagating Shrubs: Plants For Free.

Tip of the Week

When to Do It.
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Semi-ripe cuttings can be taken anywhere between July and October depending on species and locality. Sounds a bit vague? Well, the exact time to do it for your locality is when the top 6" of shoots that have grown this year are green and soft at the top graduating tostiff, but not woody at the base.

How to do it
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1. Using a very sharp knife,(not scissors as they pinch the stems), sever a 6" shoot tip beneath a leaf joint,(Normally where a pair of leaves is attached to the stem.)
2. Strip off the leaves from the lower half of the cutting.
3. Dip the base in hormone rooting powder or better still liquid.
4. Fill a 5" half pot with a 50:50 ratio of coir/sharp sand.
5. Make a hole near the edge of the pot with a pen or even a 6" nail.
6. Insert cuttings and firm in well.(N.B. Large-leaved shrubs such as Hydrangea, Lilac and Aucuba will root better if you cut the leaves in half to reduce moisture loss.
7. Label the pot and place in a shaded cold frame. A more practical soloution is to push four thin canes in the pot cover with a clear polythene bag secured to the base of the pot with a rubber band. Place in a shady sheltered corner.

What to Root.
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The following shrubs respond well to this method:
Berberis, Deutzia, Forsythia, Ribes, Aucuba, Euonymus, Escallonia, Cistus, Hebe,
Laurus, Potentilla, Cotoneaster, Skimmia, Hydrangea, Viburnum, Wiegela, Kolkwitzia, Syringia,
Chaenomeles, Ceanothus and many more.

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