A Simple Way To Root Plants From Cuttings
Mike McGroarty Sticking Cuttings
This Really is the Most Fun You Can Have with Your Bibs On!
Mike & Ally taking a break.
Check Out My Backyard Growing System.
Mike McGroarty Sticking Cuttings
This Really is the Most Fun You Can Have with Your Bibs On!
Mike & Ally taking a break.
Check Out My Backyard Growing System.
Mike , where do I find those cheap easy to build misting trays you had mentioned ?
Carrolle, if you have my http://freeplants.com/wanted.htm you’ll find all the supply sources in the wholeslae directory that comes with my system. Or you can just go to the dollar store and buy dish pans and drill holes in the bottom.
i’m guessing you will start to see new growth, when it has rooted.
Lelene, yes, that’s one sign. But you can slide the cuttings out and check for roots. You don’t want to check them all the time, but after about three weeks you do any harm pulling a cutting out. If you feel resistence the cutting is rooting, don’t pull it out. If it is just starting to root you’ll see tiny roots, just slide the cutting back into the sand.
Will this method work with Acuba? I’ve been trying to start a cutting for years.
I want to root Blueberries and Grapes. Having trouble with the blueberry cuttings dying on me.
Mike Hughes
Mike, try this method, it works pretty good.
What method, you didn’t give one. I’m having the same problem.
Thank you for the wonerful info,very well explained.
Thank you for all the help!
But the burning bush? It is one of the most invasive plants there is…
Kickylee, I’ve been working with Burning Bush in landscapes for about 40 years and in that time I’ve run across about two chance burning bush seedlings. Around here it is one of the least invasive plants that I know of. I can name dozens of others that sprout seedlings everywhere.
I just love your information!!! thank you a bunches!!!
how you winter those plantings?
Teresa, my cuttings spend the winter outside. If they are in flats or in a raised bed I cover them with white, not clear plastic. Never use clear plastic to over winter dormant plants.
Mike,
I have more cuttings than I know what to do with in the fall, but am having a tough time overwintering them…. tried partial burial, covering with leaves, etc but many still died off… if they get covered with plastic, don’t they need water of some sort?
The ones that survive are SUPER hardy tho.
Barb, all they need for the winter is water. If it snows or rains that’s fine. But if it’s dry they need a little water. If they are rotting the growing medium is holding too much water. That’s why I root everything in coarse sand.
hi mike
is it ok to put the cuttings straight into a pot with soil after using the rooting powder,as i have seen in some videos?
Thank you.
Violeta, that can be done, especially with hardwood cuttings done in the late fall early winter. But softwood cuttings done during the summer would fail for sure because they need an extremely humid environment.
I’ve kept two Rose of Sharon cuttings alive over 2 winters now. They’re in 8″pots and each is about 11″-16″ high with 3 branches. I want to plant them outside and close together to make a larger shrub. A) Should I do this (plant close)? and B) WHEN. it’s 97F right now? Wait ’til autumn? I’m in Mass., if that matters.
The sooner you transplant things into the ground the better as far as I’m concerned as long as you are not cutting or breaking roots during the growing season. Just slide them out of the pot into the ground and they’ll be fine.
Location location location- I live in central NC, Rose of Sharon are like Kudzu down here- they grow everywhere I look.. I have several mature plants in my border in excess of 10′ tall and 3′ in diameter. They are hardy and grow little Sharons everywhere.
Thanks Mike, You are an awesome person!!!! You are an asset to the human race for all the things you do for the planet earth.
Hi Mike,
Just getting started watching your videos. Im in Montville just a few minutes from you. I was wondering how long you leave the cuttings in the bag, and when you can put them straight into pots.
Thanks for the help.
Mike B.
Mike, as soon as they are rooted you can transplant them carefully into a bed. Give them several weeks to full root before you disturb them. I’d say at least 6 to 8 weeks. Water daily or every other day for two weeks or so, the roots will be shallow and close to the surface.
you are my new best friend. thank you for sharing.
I really enjoyed watching how to root some plants video it helped me with a lot of questions I had.Thank you so much.
Mike,
I have about 6 Korean Spice Viburnum from which I would like to make cuttings and future plants. Could you tell me how to do so, PLEASE!??????
I have been a master gardener for over 30yrs and do not have any experience in making such cuttings. Korean Spice plants have been very hard to find in my area (Lansing, MI). I would appreciate your wisdom and assistance.
Russ Beeman
Russ, use the method I explain in this video, then for winter make sure you protect them. They are easy enough to root, but getting them through the first winter is a bit more difficult. But that’s really only true for some of fragrant Viburnums.
Great video! I am echoing the questions of others. How long do you leave the cuttings in the plastic pan covered with white garbage bad? Additionally, I enjoyed the video your friend made about rooting rose cutting. I would like to know how long to leave them in the wet newspapers that are sealed up in plastic bags. Thank you in advance for response.
Hi,
I want to propagate the Japanese tulip magnolias. Do you have an easy method to do this?
Thanks,
Michael
Michael, Just them in here as softwood cuttings in June. http://www.freeplants.com/homemade-plant-propagation.htm
When or how do I know that the cuttings are ready to plant?
David
David, good question. Softwood cuttings are too soft when they simply limp over right after being cut. They need to be rigid enough to stand up on their own, even though some, depending on the plant might droop over then stand up later. Rule of thumb is 6 weeks after the plants first leaf out in the spring. Take your cuttings six weeks after the first sign of leaves on the trees and shrubs.
I mean, when are they ready to remove from the sand? I don’t see how to determine if they have any roots yet? If I remove them from the sand, and they haven’t rooted, what then?
I need to know when they are ready to remove from the cutting box into the soil.
David
Mike, thanks to you I have re-gained my interest in gardening. I live in the tropics and for Corpus Christi yesterday I planted some vegetables and flowering plants. It felt really good to get my hands in the dirt. Thank you Mike for all the helpful info and videos. GOD bless.
Is there a difference in the propagation trays you have places to buy them and you have instructions for building them. Is it the same thing just which ever one you want to do?
Raven, the propagation tray that you use makes no difference as long as they have good drainage through the bottom.
But why do you plant them in sand rather than compost?
Amanda, you can use compost, but it could rot the stems. With sand you have less chance of the stems rotting as they root.
Mike,
Is it ok to overwinter in greenhouse in zone 4 to keep them growing or do they need winter rest ?
Father, plants need to go complete dormant and rest for the winter. Great question.
Mike, I have a new Japanese red maple that was either attacked by a rabbit or some 2 legged critter. A whole branch was broken off. Can I root this in water and plant? Thanks
Char, I highly doubt it. Japanese maples are very difficult to root.
Mike: Instead of using pencils for support, I would use wire coat hangers. Cut to desired length and bent into a U shape. A spot of duct tape along the top edge of the container will secure the wire so that it does not move.
I’ve read that cuttings on some plants should be taken in the fall, some in the spring, due to their flowering and fruiting habits. Do you have a chart that shows when cuttings from each type of bush or tree should be taken? I am specifically interested in lilac, lavender, crepe myrtle, rosemary, wiegela, grape, raspberry, blackberry, and roses. I would like for the “mother” plant to continue to produce flowers. I appreciate your practical approach, and enjoy your videos.
Carol, my book is a great resource and there’s lots of info at http://freeplants.com
Mike – Is there any way you can put this in written instructions with pictures? I can not ever get your video’s to open up so I can watch.
Thanks,
Trish Elliott
Trish,
All of these tips are spelled out in my book, Easy Plant Propagation at http://freeplants.com. Or you can go to the library and watch the videos at http://www.mikesbackyardnursery.com/
Mike It looks like I have drounded my sago palm. The 1st bloom started and too much water has killed the bloom. What can I do to get it too bloom again? The sago is 7yrs old and about 5ft tall. Thanks Cecil
This is my second year gardening. I am 59.
One day I planted some pole bean seeds and went away for 4 days. When I came back they
were bursting forth from the soil. This is to refer to your comment today on the email you sent. I have already started looking around for cuttings to start. I started 8000 transplants for a small grower inside my house this year. It was easy and my wife could do it while she watched tv.
8,000 in your house! I love that kind of determination. Good for you and the best of success to you.
I would like to start rooting some cuttings but a few questions first,
1. I have a small green plastic covered green house-would it be ok to put cutting on the shelves in that instead of garbage bags?
2. I have a barn that is very humid but no light will the plants survive in there either for summer or to store threw the winter (not heated)?
Thank you for your time!
Lisa, I greenhouse can be way too hot in the winter and the barn would be too cold during the winter. Once rooted the cuttings will be fine outside for the winter. In my system you’ll see in videos how I store my outside all winter long. http://freeplants.com/wanted.htm
Hi Mike. I’ve been reading articles & watching your videos for a week or two now, & I am super excited to get started. I recently moved & I see a gold mine at this new place. Shrubs & trees everywhere! The problem that I’m having is identifying these plants. I have been taking pictures. Do you have any resources that you can lead me to for plant identification? I will be ordering your System asap! Thanks & God bless. I appreciate the wealth of information that you are offering! Jennifer
Jennifer, you need my system before you get started. I won’t go into detail here, but there is a lot that you don’t know, which is why I make the system available.
Mike, I bought your system & you’re right, boy do I have a lot to learn! No worries mate, on to plan B! Don’t focus on the obstacles but focus on the opportunities! On a serious note, I’m very excited. Thanks Mike for what you are doing.
Mike, I would like to do cuttings of my lavender plants and Roadendum (purple flowers).
Where do I leave them after planted? What type of soil is best? Sun or shade. Thanks!
Patricia, use sand and place them in the shade.
I have forsythia cuttings that I am going to start with. The only other plant I have a lot of is hydrangea. Will forsythia root quickly. Can you help me with buyers? Do you know of buyers that will buy 500 at one time? I suppose my other option is to grow them until next spring and then sell them for $5 or so. Would you put them in a 6″ pot after they root or let them grow directly in the ground? If I decide to sell the rootings, should I wrap them in damp newspaper or plastic and ship them overnight?
Beth, if you want to grow plants for profit I urge you to get my Backyard Growing System. http://freeplants.com/wanted.htm, trying to grow for profit without my system will be an exercise in futility. I love to help people who want to garden at home, for themselves, and I really like helping people that want to grow for profit. But for that I have to charge. That’s the only way I can afford to give away the amount of information and tens and thousands of hours of my time doing so. Get the system. You’ll be glad you got start now rather than later. Plus, if you have the system now you won’t make all the mistakes that people make without it.
Mike,
I have tried to use rooting rose cuttings with your soft cutting method and it seemed to work great for the first few weeks but them I began to see black mold inside the bag and the plants seemed to begin dying after that. What did I do wrong?
Teresa, open the bag and give them some air, or apply a general fungicide. Also use sand as the rooting medium.
Mike,
Thanks for the informative video… you might speak less & give all of this information quicker with less Fluff ?
I was anxious for only the Facts .
M.E.
Yeah, me too.
Mike, I have been looking for rooting powder for a year with no success. Can you give me a source? Thanks
Marie, I’m sure you can find either powder or DipnGrow liquid on line. I’d be amazed if amazon.com doesn’t have some listed.
I got RootOne a walmart.
Thank you so much you do inspire me I just love when I hear from you and watch your videos. I just recently broke off a piece from a cherry tree and have put it in water , and am going to try to put some rooting powder powder and plant it…wish me luck!!
Mike,
What is your method for propagating roses? I would like to get some new plants in the ground this summer or fall.
Thanks for sharing your vast knowledge!
Jane, I’d do the roses in a flat of sand and stick them in a white plastic bag just like I showed in the video. Remind in the fall to show you a winter technique for doing them as well.
Mike, I enjoy reading all of your litrature,e-mails,etc! I bought a Japanese Barberry…a real pretty yellowish color? We had some really hot weather and it seemed to just dry up! I brought it inside for awhile & then planted it outside & watered it really well. I had been watering it before also of course! Is there anything else I should do to insure it’s survival?
Thank you! Oh and I found out on the internet that it gets berries on it!
Tonya, many of the yellow barberries are sensitive to intense sun. Keep it watered well and if you can plant it in a location that gets afternoon shade that would be great.
My burning bush died this year after blooming for ten years???
Elizabeth, that’s really odd. I check for mouse or rabbitt damage near the base of the plant. During the winter rabbits and mice will eat the bark off of burning bush and they can kill the plant if they completely girdle the plant. Look for missing bark down low.
Mike, I have a few friends that need their shrubs pruned, how long can I wait to plant the cuttings for rooting?
Mike, I hope you don’t mind that I told my husband I love you. He is okay with it because he sees that all the things you teach me are making me happy and helping us earn a few extra bucks.
I hope our relationship continues to grow!
I plan to order your system soon. I have already started many rooted cuttings. Love doing this!
I feel better than you have chosen to remain anonymus. I hope to have you as a member soon. Take care and enjoy your yard and garden.
i am wanting to start some honey suckle and blackberry do i need to do them the same as soft cuttings. put in sand trim bark off an inch or so and put rootin gpowder on them then put in bag like you said. I have done about a 500 plus rootings so far am going top keep thru winter in my rrot cellar and then pot and sell next year will they be ok in root cellar as long as i keep them moist. again thanks for all your knowledge and patients ur the best
David, don’t strip the bark from cuttings that you are trying to root. I’m not sure about the root cellar. In most cases it’s better to leave the plants outside where they can go completely dormant for the winter. They need that resting period.
Mike,
Will this method that you demonstrate in the video work with Weigela shrubs and how long would you estimate the time for roots to appear.
Bob, it will work with Wegelia and you should see roots in 3 to 5 weeks for sure.
Can you use builder’s sand to root your cuttings in like the sand for children’s sandbox sand?
Jan, sand goes by many different names depending on where you are buying it. Mason’s sand, used for brick laying is probably a little too fine. But if that’s all you can find then I’d give it a try. I prefer something that has at least really small stones in it.
Jan, I have bought some Builders sand from the Home Depot that I use for my cuttings, so far several of my Japanese Maple cuttings have rooted. Seems to be fine in my opinion.
Hi Mike
I want to order your system,but I have a few questions before I order.I live in Portland,Or and our state has alot of rules in regard to
plant nurseries. Second question if I sold online through a web site or eBay would I have trouble sending plants through the mail,or USP.
Thanks
Wayne
Wayne, all states have regulations regarding plants and shipping plants. Oregon has an incredible growing season and your state is notorious for some of the highest quality nursery stock in the country. Seriously. I buy a lot of plants from Oregon. Will you have problems shipping plants. No you won’t. Oregon, Washington and California are really fussy about what gets shipped into their states, but shipping out of those states is pretty easy. http://freeplants.com/wanted.htm
Mike, watching this video I wonder if I have to have play sand or will regular sand I have in my yard work? I have several areas in my yard that has an abundance of white sand. Sure would be cheaper for me. Thanks!!
Marian, the more coarse the sand the better, but any sand that water will run through should work.
Not for everyone but for cheap folks like me that likes to recycle, go to the goodwill or thrift stores. You would be amazed what you can find to work in your garden. Also, I always request paper bags at the grocer store. I make seed cups out of them, They work great.
Hi Mike. I love your info but I just have one question. I live north of the Canadian border. How would I winter my cuttings once they’re rooted? Would it be safe to plant them in, say, September or October, just before the snow flies. I’m in Manitoba and it CAN get very cold here even in the southern part of the province. Thanks again for the info.
Laurel, small cuttings are tougher than you think. Plant them as early in the fall as possible so they have a chance to get rooted in before winter. Watch them over the winter to make sure the frost doesn’t push them out of the ground and they’ll be fine.
Mike, The only sand I could find for sale in my city is labeled “Play Sand”. It is pure white and looks very fine. Could I mix something like perlite or some potting soil with it to root my cuttings? Thank you I love all your videos.
Mike, you enjoy what you do so much, I smile every time I get an email from you! Your’re just a sweetheart!
I love your videos and reading you replies to others. I’ve had your entire system ( I hope I
have it all)and when
I get the blahs-I get a part of your information or watch a video and start dreaming what I will do first.Our water bill is out of sight by the time I water veg garden and all my goodies. Hope to get a well dug soon., then watch out!
I remember you saying at some point a while back that you make your own potting soil. Would you share that ‘recipie’? Thanks in advance.
Here you go Sue http://freeplants.com/ingredients-for-potting-soil.htm
Im looking for juniper, blue or green, weigelia
Mike.. I am looking for the video where you cut the bottom out of a bucket, buried it, and made hardwood cuttings. Love your new stuff but free plants.com(your other site) is a little easier to find info when you can’t remember something.
Rob,
I’ll have to agree with you, but the entire world says that all websites need to be wordpress sites and old html sites like http://freeplants.com are out dated like me. But here’s what you do. When you want to find something just go to google, type in http://www.mikesbackyardnursery.com/ and whatever you’re looking for. If you’re close you’ll find what you need. But you know what, this method is much better this time of year for plant propagation. http://www.freeplants.com/homemade-plant-propagation.htm The bucket method is okay for some things, but even this I like better than the burying method. http://www.mikesbackyardnursery.com/2012/12/how-to-build-a-plant-propagation-box/
That worked.. Thanks. I will keep the bucket method in mind for a later time. I wanted to see it again because i was thinking that the whole in the bottom is letting in heat from the earth. Very interesting. I plan some softwood cuttings soon. 6-1. A park by me has some nice shrubs. Will use the other links you gave me. Ps ..the book was also a big help.