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| Softwood cuttings |
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Most shrubs are best propagated from the soft young shoots formed in spring or early summer.
Softwood cuttings can be taken at most times of the year, however it is better to take them in June / July to allow them time to establish before the onset of winter as shown here;
Take cuttings, by selecting soft new shoots 75-100mm (3"-4") long ideally with two or three nodes (buds) on them.
Do not use shoots showing signs of pest or disease damage.
Make the cuts at the junction between new and old wood, cutting just below a node.
Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting to reduce moisture loss (hydration), trim the end off the cutting to just above the node and dip it into a hormone rooting powder / gel.
n.b. Pinch out the growing tip if the cutting is longer than 100mm (4”).
Fill a 125/150mm (5”/6”) pot with well drained compost and insert cuttings around the edge of each pot.
Only insert sufficient cuttings to ensure they are not touching each other.
Label the container/s and thoroughly water in the cuttings.
Place container/s in a propagator, ideally with bottom heat, alternatively place in a clear plastic bag and placing somewhere warm if a propagator is unavailable.
Check the container/s periodically ensuring the compost remains moist until the cuttings are well rooted, and remove any cuttings that may have died off.
Depending upon species / variety cuttings should root in approximately six to ten weeks.
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