Propagation From Cuttings
But . . . you can stick a cutting in the sand just days or weeks before the sand freezes. That’s the amazing thing about this business. You can take what appears to be just a stick, or what really looks like but is not, a dead stick, and turn that into a viable, living, absolutely beautiful plant.
I call this “loading up the seats of the Ferris Wheel”. Think about that. The Ferris Wheel come around and stops, riders get on, the wheel moves, more riders get on until the Ferris Wheel is full. From then on the Ferris Wheel remains full. Riders get off, new riders get on and the Ferris Wheel remains fully loaded with a happy screaming passengers.
Making cuttings is like that. I never think about how long it will take that plant to grow into a saleable plant as I am making the cuttings. I know that I am just loading up the seats of the Ferris Wheel. Once I have my Ferris Wheel (cutting boxes) full, keeping them full is easy and the secret to a perpetual supply of plants that I can pot up and sell for real money.
I love what I do! I enjoy making the cuttings and potting up the plants. I love being outdoors! It’s the greatest job in the world. But having people happily give you money for something that you grew with your own two hands is the most wonderful feeling in the world because people know that the plant they just bought is special. It was grown by somebody they regard as their friend. It’s very different from a plant they buy at a big box store. They know the grower! They’ve been to the nursery. They take ownership of that plant differently.
I urge you to get involved with this wonderful opportunity now.
Do it at your own pace, enjoy the ride!
Start filling up the seats on your Ferris Wheel now.
Visit this page for details.
In the next few weeks I will share much more with you about how I do propagation from cuttings.
Questions or comments about making cuttings? Post them below.
Awesome! Thanks for sharing those wonderful insights! I am eager to do it!
This is great, good details thanks!
I wonder if I could do cutting of Lilacs? If so, do I follow your instructions for propagation. with the storms and winter I lost many Lilac bushes that became a tree. But in another area I have many growing that I would love to cut to cut back. Not sure if they are getting enough of sun or are being chocked out by oak shoots. should I cut them back and take the cuttings from them or the tree-I am not sure if it would work. there are many branches that do not have leaves. Please, help!
Patricia,
Lilacs can be grown from cuttings, but I’m guessing you’ll get much better results if you do them in late June using the same system that I am using now.
When is the best time to trim and propigate roses? I have an old stand Mr. Lincoln climber that i set out for my Grand mother over 30 years ago and i want to get more of the same from it. I guess i’m sentimental, but, i just can’t see losing it to stupidity. Thanks
Olin, here’s a page on propagating roses during the winter months. http://www.mikesbackyardnursery.com/2012/02/how-to-grow-roses-from-cuttings/#
Hi Mike, I have always enjoyed your blog. I am in Ontario, Canada and have a yellow magnolia that had the main trunk die and I have let the suckers grow for two years now. I would like to root the four suckers that have come from the trunk but not sure if what you are saying will work with our cold winters up here?? What would you suggest is the safest way to help these off shoots become trees?? I am very nervous and have avoided doing anything because of it.
Thanks so much.
Carrie, for the Magnolia I would suggest waiting until summer when the new growth is soft and pliable. Usually mid June. More details here http://www.freeplants.com/homemade-plant-propagation.htm
What is the best sand to use for propagating cuttings?
Thank you.
George
George, sand varies a lot from region to region and there is no standard term to describe the best sand to use. Brick layers use a very fine sand often called Mason’s sand. That will probably work, but the sand should be more coarse than that. The sand should contain small pebbles. Around here they call it sharp sand, builders sand, or concrete sand. All that really matters is that when water is poured on the sand it runs through the sand quickly and doesn’t stand on top of the sand.
How those cuttings will survive -10 or -20F
in the box outdoor?
Or you move the box to a warm location?
Thanks
Greg, great question! Believe it or not they are tougher than you think and here in Ohio it usually gets down close to zero at some point during the winter. The cuttings should do fine. The sand will freeze as hard as concrete, but plants that are hardy in your zone know what to expect and somehow they deal with it.
? What’s in the sand box besides sand? ?fertilizer? antifungals? minerals?
Thanks!
Jeff, I don’t put anything in with the sand. Just sand. Once the cuttings are rooted next spring you can feed them then. Something light, like Miracle grow or Peter’s liquid fertilizer. But when they are rooting you don’t want to encourage any top growth.
Will cuttings of Japanese Maples root using this method in October?
Jim, probably not. Even though it is possible to get some Japanese maples to root from a cutting is is not easy and it’s not something I won’t even attempt. Some are grown from seed, but most of the really desired varieties are grafted. Here’s info on growing from seed. http://japanesemaplelovers.com/growing-japanese-maples-from-seed/
Can I root the cuttings from Chinese Mahonia the same way? I am located in Tallahassee, FL.
Jim, not familiar with the plant but more than likely you can. You can also use this in the summer http://www.freeplants.com/homemade-plant-propagation.htm
Will you replace the plastic on the probagation box?
Charles, I already did. Once the plants are dormant the plastic isn’t that important. But until they go dormant it helps a lot. Especially if you use this in the summer months. Then it’s critical and should be shaded as well.
Mike, Can you do cuttings of roses like this?
Ann, here’s a video on rose propagation http://www.mikesbackyardnursery.com/2012/02/how-to-grow-roses-from-cuttings/#
On one site a lady was dipping her cuttings in honey.
Charles, people do all kinds of crazy things. I do what professional propagators do. I know that they have already tested everything that can be tested.
Thanks, we just build what we hope is going to be a great greenhouse for growing plants and veggies this winter here in Tennessee, your instructions will help a bunch with the plants we are wanting to try and replant
I plan on trying this hardwood cuttings on my forthisias, but does this also work on boxwood? how about lilacs?
Denise, yes on the boxwoods for sure. You can try the Lilacs but they would respond better if done in June when the wood is soft and pliable.
I don’t think you can kill a forsythia. I’ve tried. LOL. In late winter I cut them and force the blooms inside. They always start rooting. They can take over a place if you’re not careful.
LThanks Mike, U r the best.
Just what I needed to know. I bought the rooting stuff for these kinds of plant stems but did not know what to do next. Thank you so much! You are a jewel!
DDo you need to worry about them freezing? Thanks for all you do!
Donna, freezing won’t hurt them. Mine will likely freeze solid this winter.
Mike, I’m interested in Creapr Myrtle trees. Can you do cutiing on those now and use the same process.
Hardwood propagation: Take 8 inch long and 1/2 inch diameter cuttings in November – December. Stick several cuttings in a container filled with a potting soil or well-drained garden soil. About an inch of the cutting should protrude above the soil line. That’s right 7 inches below the dirt. Leave outdoors, but protect from a severe freeze.In the Spring, when new growth appears, place in a sunny location and keep watered until you can plant in the summer.
This is so easy, I have had success the last couple of years.
Donnie, you can try doing Crape Myrtle now and if they don’t work do them next summer. They’ll do fine then.
Hi Mike,
I have a hibiscus that I would like to make cuttings from, but every time I try, the leaves shrivel and the small plants die. I live in the NE corner of Wisconsin so I bring in the mother plant, and trim it down after it is done blooming. The branches of the cuttings have an area where the bark is still green, and then goes to the regular brown/gray bark. Should I use the rooting solution on the green are or the regular bark? Or does it make a difference? You said in the video that the sand/soil in damp but not soggy. Is sand the best soil for cuttings if I keep them in separate pots?
Any advice you could lend would be much appreciated.
Tom, this time of year do the Hibiscus outside just like I did. You can wait for them to go dormant, then make hardwood cuttings. I need to do another video about hardwood cuttings in the next week or two. You can also do them in the summer using this http://www.freeplants.com/homemade-plant-propagation.htm which is really very similar to what I am doing now.
I’d like to propagate my roses in my back yard. I have 4 varietal and want to know how to spread them around the yard. I am not interested in this with roses to sell. I know that’s not allowed.
How do your cuttings in the prop box do over winter? Here in Utah it gets fairly cold.
Scott, many roses you are free to propagate. Patented plants cannot be propagated for any purpose. Here’s a video on roses http://www.mikesbackyardnursery.com/2012/02/how-to-grow-roses-from-cuttings/#. My cuttings in the propagation box do fine over the winter and it does get really cold here as well. They are tougher than you think.
Yes, I am wondering too what chemical hides behind ‘rooting compound’. Or, do you do it naturally and extract the hormone by boling Willow Bark?
Chistopher, I buy over the counter rooting compounds like Wood’s or Dip n Grow. You’d have to read the label. I’ve read it but don’t remember for sure so I won’t guess.
Mike, How about azaleas in SC.
Harry, I’d try some now and again in June of next year.
Your poison ivy video was helpful. Next spring when the ivy puts on new leaves spraying it with vinagar with a little dish soap in it will kill its roots. Good, cheap, and no chemicals.
Hi Mike, Thanks for sharing. I am having the hardest time trying to propogate my Honeysuckle. What is the best method and medium to do so? Thanks!
Tammy, you can try some cuttings now, or in June do some in here: http://www.freeplants.com/homemade-plant-propagation.htm
How often , and how do you mist that Box..
You used just course sand?
Buddy, I just water it with a water can and close the lid. When there are no droplets of water on the inside of the plastic I make sure to water again.
Please do a video next spring/summer showing the next steps. thanks.
Jim, remind me to do that.
I live in Mn. Can I leave these cuttings outside over the winter and do I need to prepare them some way for the extreme cold?
Mary, they should be fine, just treat them like I did in the video. I’m zone 5 northern Ohio and it gets plenty cold here as well.
Mike, DO I need A HEAT LAMP TO HELP PROPOGATE?
Vic, no, you don’t need a heat lamp. You really want the top of the cutting to go dormant and stay dormant.
iS THIS A GOOD TIME TO TAKE CUTTINGS FOR ROSE OF SHARON OR WAIT UNTIL WINTER? THE PLANTINGS ARE 2YEARS OLD AND ARE THEY READY TO TAKE CUTTINGS?…THX
Vic, waiting for them to go dormant is less stressful on the cutting, but you can do them now if you cover them as I have with these boxes.
Mike, does it matter if the sand growing box is in the shade or sun through the winter? Were you taking only ”tip of the branch” cuttings with the hardwood cuttings or through the whole branch? Thanks much.
Ivy, I positioned my boxes in a shaded area so during the warm months they don’t over heat. This time of year I do take more than one cutting from each branch. When doing softwood cuttings in the summer you typically one take tip cuttings.
What is your rooting medium made of?
Mary, I use Wood’s rooting compound or Dip n Grow.
Mike enjoy your simanars on-line. Maybe you can cover Can you make cuttings of Hydrangeas and Rhodem.
Did you say the bottom of the sand box was open? If so, how do you keep the sand in? Hardware cloth, screen wire, what?
Love your presentations. Keep it up. And thanks.
Tal
Tal, the bottom of the box is open and I have nothing in the bottom. Once the sand is damp it stays put. Keep it simple, no bottom at all.
What about the rose of Sharon can I do that in October I havre a sugar tip and it doesn’t produce any seed pods but I want more of them?
Helen, rose of sharon will root using this method. I have some I need to do yet this year.
Thanks!
Sand has no nutrients, so how does a cutting root and grow with no nutrients?
These are repeats of other questions. I just need the answers. Do you replace and/or poke holes in plastic? How do cuttings root in sand?
Full sun, or patial shade for the box?
Gardening keeps me sane and I love the ride.
Keep up the great work.
Synoma, no holes in the plastic, you want it to stay nice and moist inside the box. Cuttings actually root quite well in sand. It’s the most dependable rooting medium that I’ve found. But it should be as coarse as you can find it so it drains well. Lots of shade for the box so it doesn’t get too hot inside.
mike do I put the box in the full sun or partly shade. thanks for all the information you have given us
I have alot of these plants in my garden that I could use for cuttings , do you just use builders sand ?
Nancy, yep, just builders sand.
Is this method viable for anything other than woody plants? What type of sand is used?
ChaChee, this will work for a number of different evergeen shrubs. Tomorrow I’ll do some Juniper and Rhinegold Arborvitae, maybe some Emerald Green or Dark Green Arborvitae as well. Just coarse builders sand is all you need.
Can you do lilacs this way?
Yes, you can! This is the way I have always propagated my lilacs with almost 100% success rate.
Hi Mike
When you make the boxes and fill with sand do you make holes in the plastic for them to breathe over the winter or do you cover the holes with something so the snow doesn’t get in. Love to read your blogs. They are very informative and I love that you talk to us in PLAIN english. Keep up the great work!
Brenda
PS…am seriously thinking of trying this!
Do you have instructions for the box?
Penny, the box is pretty simple. 12″ deep, no bottom, the top cover is a wood frame covered with plastic that is painted white. About half full of sand so you have room for the cuttings.
Does it make any differance if you use a liquid or powder rooting compond?
Do you leave them out where they will freeze??
Tom, yes I do. The sand will freeze as hard as concrete but the cuttings will be fine come spring. Crazy I know, but hardy plants are hardy plants.
Hi Mike:
Can I use the same process in rooting red maple trees? What type of sand do you use? The only type of sand I ever bought is what we used with setting up our pool and I don’t know if there are different types.
Nancy, this process won’t work on Japanese Red Maple trees. You can grow Japanese Red maples from seed in one of these boxes and it should work fine. See this article http://japanesemaplelovers.com/growing-japanese-maples-from-seed/
Is there any apecific type of sand needed for rooting? What is a good source to obtain it?
Patricia, the sand should be coarse sand from a gravel yard. If you can’t find that, you can use bagged sand or swimming pool filter sand.
Is there any specific type of sand needed for rooting? What is a good source to obtain it?
Hi Mike… thanks for the fantastic information you always provide.
I live in the Dallas area and have a gorgeous Lady Banks rose that I would like to propagate. Would I follow the same basics as what you have done with the forsythia?
Thanks.
Jaci, roses are a little different, see this page http://www.mikesbackyardnursery.com/2012/02/how-to-grow-roses-from-cuttings/#
If you take cuttings on dwarf varieties will they stay true and be dwarf?
Joy, in almost all cases plants grown from a cutting will remain true and identical the the parent plant. If you get them to root. Some things like Japanese maples and other ornamental trees are more difficult to root as cuttings.
What kind of sand do you use? Contractor’s sand or do you get it from some other source?
Nina, it’s just contractors sand. Mason’s sand is really too fine, but it will work if that’s all you can find. What I use is often called conrete sand or sharp sand because it contains small pebbles which help with drainage.
Was checking back to see if you replied to my query and don’t see my ‘reply’posted. Just trying to see what the problem is.
ChaChee, I do my best to respond to posted questions, but I’m sure I miss some. I get a lot of questions and there’s only one me. I suggest asking again.
Mike there must have been a glitch or a lag on my computer. After I posted the message you responded to, I saw my original message and checking later, I saw your response.
Thanks and sorry for the misunderstanding.
Great stuff, Mike. Always look forward to your emails. Last year I tried your technique of just plugging forsythia cuttings right into the ground and sure enough, they leafed out and almost all of them looked like they were on their way. End of season, they all died and when i pulled them out of the ground, not a single one looked like it has pushed out any roots whatsoever. They must have just wicked up the water but never really grew. Suggestions?
Al, that doesn’t sound right. When I did that video last fall many of the ones that I stuck directly in the soil rooted and grew into beautiful plants. The soil had to be too wet or too dry. That’s my guess. Do some now and do more as softwoods in June, they’ll root.
How far north will this process be sucessfull Im from Iowa.
Gloria, I’m in zone 5 northern Ohio. The sand in those cutting boxes will freeze as hard as concrete over the winter and the cuttings will be unharmed. It’s an amazing thing to see. Those little tiny rooted cuttings are as tough as nails.
Hi Mike,
Is it OK to take cuttings of a tree or shrub if it has lost all the leaves?
Mike
Wonderful information. Can I do some old apple trees this way. I’m 60 and we have a few apple trees that were mature trees when I was a youngster and I’d like to try to root some of them.
Doug, I’m not sure it will work this time of year, but you might have success doing them in June when the new growth is soft and pliable.
Good video! Can the cuttings be put directly where you want them to grow? I’m trying to make a honeysuckle hedge on a wire fence for privacy and the hummingbirds love it. Thanks for the great posts.
Hi Mike…great video..love to see you in action
Hey…now that you’ve put these guys into their cold frame for the winter, come spring they should be rooted?? How to take them out and what do you transplant them into? I am also curious, as one guy wrote, what feeds them? All they need is the moist sand? Where does one look to find out what kinds of plants will take root from a cutting? I live in the southwest and would love to do this with desert type plants, ie: Mesquite, Palo Verde, and various others. I pretty much know how to do catus..lol…they’re easy! How about Mulberry tress and China Berry (Texas Umbrella) ? Think I’ll get around to trying them this coming weekend. How about putting them in the greenhouse, without the cover like on your cold frames? Geesh..inquiring minds need to know these things! lolol…thanks so much…you’re a great help!
Ellen, while the cuttings are rooting they don’t need to be fed. You really want them putting all of their energy into making new roots. Once they are rooted they could use a little nutrion, but usually mine don’t get fed until I pot them up. Will they be rooted by spring? Maybe, maybe not. But if not they’ll root at just about the same time they start to break dormancy. I’ll leave them in the sand until at least late spring. I don’t like summer potting because it is so hot, so sometimes I leave them in the sand until almost fall. I do most of my cuttings in June and July and they root in a matter of weeks. But even those I usually don’t pot until the following spring. Lots of plants will respond to these techniques, just try and them and see how you do.
As always–good informative videos. I might do some wigelia. Is the sand, just like the play sand?
p.s. with the damp weather we have been having, some of my primroses have been blooming!
Hi Mike, Can you root in water too? I have a Dapper Willow bush and wonder if this would work too. Thanks, Jan
i have a heated green house. can i root cuttings in it? Thanks for all the information you give us
Bill, believe it or not we do everything we can to NOT root cuttings in a greenhouse. It can be done, but it’s so easy to root cuttings without a greenhouse. A greenhouse is great for things like Rhododendron that really like to have their bottoms heated while they are rooting. But that’s the secret. The bottoms of the cuttings should be around 69 degrees F. but the tops should be around 45 degrees F. to keep them from breaking dormancy. When working with dormant cuttings you want them to remain dormant while they are rooting. The ones that I just did will soon be dormant. I could have or should have waited for them to go dormant, but instead I did them now and will treat them like non dormant cuttings until we get a hard freeze.
Does this method work for camellias?
Hi Mike, great clip! Can you tell us a bit bit about light and shade and ventilation, and how warm is too warm? For example, if you close those lids right down now, I reckon it’d get pretty warm in there. Do you leave a gap to keep things cool? Or are there shading trees nearby? Thanks, Mike
Mike, I moved these two propagation boxes into a shaded area. The covers are plastic that has been painted white to reflect the sun. This time of year they’ll be fine with the covers closed and I’ll keep the covers closed to retain plenty of moisture until the cuttings go dormant. Then it’s not so critical, I just need to keep the sand moist. But for now I have to keep the humidity up so the cuttings don’t fail. In my Small Plants, Big Profits from Home system, http://freeplants.com/wanted.htm, I show other methods of plant propagation that are faster and easier.
Is it best to take the tips of trees and bushes and start them? Is a sandy loam a good medium to start them in? Or do you do the sand and horse manure? I live on a farm and have access to alot of manure! LOL! The soil I grew my veggies in started out as composted horse manure and after a few seasons has turned into a sandy loamy mix.
If i clean out the big raised beds can I start the cutting outside?
what medium besides sand would
you recommend?
Pam, you can use something with peat in it, but it should contain a lot of perlite. Peat alone will stay way too wet.
Hi, Mike! Great video on rooting hardwoods. I have a bunch of cinquefoil/ potentilla bushes in my yard and am planning on taking the longer shoots for cuttings. Will they work with this same method?
Rusty, they should work fine, I just did several hundred potentilla today.
Hello Mike, Love this video. The raised boxes are great. This looks like a good place for me to start my cuttings as well.
Mike… you are looking really good! You must be eating right. I really like your videos. Be well!
mj
MJ, thanks. I am eating better and lost a lot of weight. I feel much better!
Hi Mike,
Love all your tips and your attitude about making money.
Can I dig up the hosta now and split them?
Carole, Yes you should be able to divide hosta now.
Mike, can I do fall cuttings here in northern California where I live, where we never really get anything but a light frost? It rarely freezes here, so maybe nothing truly goes dormant? I’m new to all of this, but very interested in starting to propagate plants.
Sara, I’m sure this will work for you as well. Just keep the cover closed and make sure it stays humid inside the box.
Can you also do azaleas
Cornellia, Azleas are easy enough to root as softwood cuttings which is done in the summer. But it won’t hurt to try them now.
Hello Mike, Thank you for the video. Does this work with poplar trees? Would you cut the branches into a few cuttings or use the ends only?
Margaret, should work just fine for poplars. If you want multiple cuttings from each branch it would be best to wait until the plant is dormant which happens right after a good hard freeze.
Hi Mike. Can you do this with Blueberries? How about Rhododendron?
Hi Mike. Still hoping to hear back regarding rootine bluenerries and Rhododendron? I know you get a lot of comments, hope this makes one worth replying back to.
What was the liquid that you put the cutting in?
George, it’s a liquid rooting compound. Dip n Grow is a good one, but powders work just fine too.
You inspired me several years ago to get into the growing business, but since then my neuropathy in my legs and feet along with R. A. has left me unable to do much of anything. Thank you so much for taking the time to send me a note. I realize you are much too busy to do all you do. By the way we do own a florist but we can buy plants out of Florida cheaper than we can grow them.
Thanks, Dan
how do I start cuttings with plants that have hollow stems.Also how can I trim them witout them dieing back so far past the cut.
Wow this stuff is amazing to watch the whole process. I have started over 100 mimosa trees. There coming up nicely. I am new to your blogs. I do have to say this is very interesting.
Is now the time to take cuttings from weeping cherry tree? Also we let it get to tall. It is about 12 feet tall, can we just cut it down to about 6 feet and then use some of those branches to root?
what about Liliacs. We have some growing off of the main root, how do we seperate those to multiply? Thank you and this is so fun
I tried rooting 2 pans full of cotoneaster plants to fill in my hedge with no success so about a month ago I started another panfull & yet no success. I have done exactly as you showed on the film & as I read in your book except I used a powder `Rapid Root`on the cuttings. Any ideas why they don`t root???
Mike, I love the propogation box’s you used in this video, my question is how big are they, and how deep is the sand, and can the cuttings stay in them all through winter. I have the powder rooting compound will it work just as well? Can’t wait to do this!
Mike,
Can you root Camellias in the same way and when do they have soft or hard wood? I have different ones and they bloom from Dec. to Feb. or March I think.
Could you do something on how to take care of Knock out roses in the fall. Mine have become huge. I hear cut them back and others say no wait till spring. Whats the scoup Mike.
We have the opportunity to get some landscaping from a house that is being torn down. Ther are some good sized fruit trees, lemons, oranges, etc a peach and pomegranate. We have a back hoe and wonder if we can transplant them?
Rhodadendrons please. My favorite flowering plant.I live in Florida and they say to hot for them. Will they do okay in a greenhouse? Although they are cousin to azalea I like the Rhoddy best as did my mother. Thanks for any info. Going to try your sandbox and the rose cuttings.
I appreciate ur newsletters and enjoy them and the videos–always fwd them on to family or friends–keep trying to convince 2 of them to do it!!
I thinkwhat you do and share is amazing one day i hope to get your program but right now all i can say is pop bottles and i know mike u know what im talking about have a great day and keep on inspiring plant people everywhere
Dan O’Neill
Sunny south carolina
Dan, I hear you loud and clear, but keep in mind, pop bottles, Dogwood seeds, Japanese Maple seeds, unrooted cuttings etc. all have a cash value. In my nursery I have two Lynwood Gold Forsythia that need trimming again. Since I shot this video I’ve trimmed them several times and they need trimming again. When I trim them, once they are dormant, I can cut those cains into 6 or 7 inch hardwood cuttings and sell them as is with no roots. My backyard growers do it all the time. They sell unrooted cuttings to other backyard growers who root them and sell them. You could sell any of the above with how to instructions to folks in your local area and easily finance the start up of your little nursery.
Don’t think about what you can’t do, just do what you can. The other day I did the math again to figure out how much it actually costs to make a small plant and I came up with a grand total of 36 cents and that included buying potting soil and buying a container and a good commercial fertilizer. That plant will fly out the door at $4.97.
You can get started with very little if any money at all. After you’ve made some money buy my system and take your business to the next level. You can start without me, many people do. -Mike McGroarty http://freeplants.com/wanted.htm
Hi Mike–always enjoy reading your posts. I have about 10,000 square feet backyard, much of it pretty shady. I have plantings that are shade tolerant (sort of). Can your system be used in an area that is sun challlenged?
Thanks,
Ed
Ed, most plants enjoy some sunshine but there is and always will be a market for shade tolerant plants. Both on the wholesale and retail market. In an area with that much shade you can also do a lot of propagation and sell rooted cuttings and one year old plants. Most of us face challenges of too much sun when we are potting up small plants in the summer. So you do have some advantages, you just have to adapt what you do to the conditions that you have. -Mike McGroarty http://freeplants.com/wanted.htm
Mike you have nice boxes to, root cuttings. two questions what about freezing I know that it is on the ground and with a cover that helps. I live in the south ,in alabama so I know that it does not get has cold as your place . what about rooting the knock out roses is it to late thanks so much our family loves your site David
Thanks Mike for sharing your knowledge with us.
my question is, can this technique also be used to propagate a vine like Jasmine?
Scott, I’m not sure, but you can try and try again in the late spring early summer. At that time of the year the wood is softer and most plants root much more quickly.
Great & informative video Mike!
I am new to the growers group.
Can I trim Crepe Myrtle and grow cuttings from it? What about Rhodis, Hibiscus tree & Smoke trees?
Christine, yes, yes, yes and yes. Thank you for joing our group! You are among some of the most wonderful people in the world who make me proud to be associated with them. http://freeplants.com/wanted.htm
Mike, thanks for excellent, informative, plain and simple videos. I have learned so much from watching your videos and reading your blog. In January, I’m applying for my plant hobby license so I can start selling.
My focus is not so much on plants but on fruit trees. I have two types of figs trees, a rainer cherry tree, semi-dwarf cherry tree, kumquat tree, plomelo tree, bananna bush, grape vines, musquine vines, blackberry vines, meyers lemon tree, and a quava tree. I did air layering using your video and it worked fine for the fig tree. But I was wondering for the vines and lemon treee would this method work well? All trees are bearing except the plomelo(8-10 yrs.)
Marilyn, I don’t do air layering but it should work for just anything. All you can do is try and see what happens. Good luck selling plants! I was just at a big box store today and I have to tell you. They are getting a lot of money for their plants! Even at 50% they are still getting more than the wholesale price. This is a great sign for folks like us. http://freeplants.com/wanted.htm
Mike what kind of solution do u did the plants in I want to do willows and poplar tree cuttings tks buddy doug from saskatchewan
Dip n Grow is a good choice. I use Wood’s rooting compound but it’s really the same as Dip n Grow.
Great videos, as always! I have two rooted Rose of Sharons that have been in pots for two years now! They have even bloomed (indoors). I’m afraid to plant them outside, since we have so many critters and probably some Rhododendron borers in the soil.
I’d like to plant them, but would now be a bad time? How can I protect them from predators?
Also, I’d like to transplant the parent tree–a very old one (at lease 25-30 yrs.). Is that doable, and if so, when should it be done? Thanks a lot!
- Dolores
Dolores, I’d plant those two potted Rose of Sharon right away. Critters? I don’t think it would be a concern. The plants will be happier in the ground. You can move the larger plant after a hard freeze. Not a frost, but a hard freeze below 30 degrees for several hours. Allow about 11″ of root ball for each one inch of tree caliper.
I’ve got the sand figured-out but what are you using for wood to build your boxes? Treated or not, do you apply any coatings or just let them rot. Thanks !!
Elmer, I usually just use non treated wood because it’s cheaper and you’re right. I just let em rot. Really takes a long time to rot and by then they have paid for themselves many times over. I wouldn’t hesitate to use treated wood and next spring when I build a new build for my summer cuttings it will be a permanent location and will be treated for sure.
Mike, I have tried to make soft wood cuttings with Many different plants. They start off great with the plans you tell me to use. Then they get white mold all over them and I have to throw them away. What am I doing wrong. I use the sand and the plastic container with the holes on the side and made holes on the bottom. HELP PLEASE!!
Deborah, it sounds like they are too wet and too humid. Maybe the sand is too fine or you are watering them too often. The leaves really need to be dry most of the time and the sand moist.
Thanks great video..does it work with roses
Hi, Mike
I want to propagate my blueberries now, but they have a lot of new growth on them. Can I use this same technique with them now? Or should I wait a little longer after they lose their leaves? I am in NC. Thank you
Karen, new growth actually roots faster, but you have to give it about 6 weeks from the time the new growth starts until you take the cuttings. This time of the year I would expect that new growth to be harden off enough to work with. In the spring you can’t take cuttings until the new growth slows down and hardens off. That’s usually about 6 weeks from the time the plants first start to make leaves in the spring.
I want to propagate the cuttings from my zambac jazmin, do you use the sand box to all your cuttings? After they root do you scoop out the live plant with the sand and transfer it to the pot?
Carol, this sand box system is the easiest way for people to root cuttings at home. I have other methods that work even better that I share with those who invest in my Backyard Growing System. http://freeplants.com/wanted.htm We do a lot of cuttings in late spring early summer using these methods because softwood cuttings done in June root quite easily. More about that here: http://www.freeplants.com/homemade-plant-propagation.htm. When I pull the cuttings out of box I scoop them out but I shake away most of the sand. You don’t have to, but the sand usually falls off the roots anyway on most plants.
Can’t wait I’m going to built a box just like yours and hopefully have lots more shrubs for next year.
Thanks
Thank you Mike! I just love all the video and information you provide. I was in awe on how to do the cuttings. I am going to get my husband to build me a box. I live in Florida so alot of the plants I see on your demos I am not sure if they can be planted down here , they are just beautiful though.
I really liked the one with the variegated forsythia.
Thank you for all the hard work that goes into making these informational videos and for sharing them with us.
Judy, you’re welcome. Your appreciation means a lot because this is very time consuming but as long as I know what I do is appreciated I’ll keep doing it.
Enjoy receiving your emails. I garden for the fun of it not for business, but I do have a question. What’s the best way to propogate cuttings from a fig tree? I live in NY state. Is the fall the time to make cuttings, should they be left outside over the winter? I’ve seen various videos on “how to do it” but they contradict one another.
Thanks, Steve, Long Island
Steve, I’m guessing that softwood cuttings during the summer would be the better option. Or the clamshell propagator from http://airpropagator.com
Hi Mike – Wonderful web site. Have you taken root cuttings from Vitex (Chaste Tree?) I have tried to root cuttings from Daphne (Carol Mackie) unsuccessfully……any ideas?
Thanks for your insightful commonsense advice.
Norma, I have no experience with them, lots more info here: http://www.freeplants.com/homemade-plant-propagation.htm
Mike, I have a neighbor who has moved, but they left their Lilac and said I could have clippings off of it. Can I do cuttings and when is the best time to do this? Is it a hardwood or soft?
Dianna, Softwood would probably work the best for Lilac.
Thanks Mike, I will look that up. I’ve tried to do cuttings before, but I think I kept them too wet. I’ll just keep trying until I get it right. thanks for all you do. Great advice.
thanks Mike you are a real inspiring person!
Hi! Mike, I don’t know if my first request took, so I emailing you again. Am I able to take a cutting off a camilla bush and grow it. If so, how is it done. This type of camilla that I want to grow, I am unable to find in it in a nursery and I even showed the nursery people the bloom of the camilla but they were unable to identify the species. This specific camilla is growing in the area where I live but no one can tell me the name of it. So if I am able to get a branch from them, will you show/tell me how to plant it, then Ill have my own. Thank you. I really would appreciate your reply.
Gladys, do it exactly as I am doing all my cuttings as you see on this site. More than likely it will grow. You can also try during the summer.
Mike ~ I have been reading your emails and watching your videos for several years. I tried to do a big batch of softwood cuttings last June and only have 4 left. I used Rootone and planted them in seed starting mix. Should I have used sand instead? I didn’t think it would have enough nutrients for the plants.
Also, I do have some Jap Maples in maybe 12 inch pots. Do they need to be protected from freezing in our MD winters?
I would love to order your program, but I am on disability so $ is pretty tight.
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Anneli
Is it possible to take cuttings from a “snap pea” flowering plant and propagate as with the other samples in your video? Thanks for all the great info!
Carroll, I’m not familiar with the plant. You can try.
Mike ~ Can I start grapes this way, this time of year? I live in eastern Nebraska.
Allen, yes you can. With grapes the buds are really far apart so you often need a cutting 12″ long in order to get three buds. Make the bottom cut right below the bottom bud but not into the bud. You can actually stick them right in your garden after making the cuttings and they should root just fine.
Thanks for another great article.
I love receiving your emails. I have learned so much from you, and my garden this year was amazing. I grew it all from seed, and this was the first year I have ever had success growing from seed. I was so thrilled with the results.
Mike, am I limited in what plant that can be hard wood propaated; can I hard wood propagate a cutting from a fruit tree, or a huckleberry bush? Catherine, San Antonio, TX
Mike, I bought the balls for air rooting the limbs you showed on UTube and now they are ready to plant. should I plant them in pots until spring or go ahead and put the in the ground? Thanks.
I always look forward to your wonderful blogs!
I have a friend who lives in Holland Michigan and faces the loss of her beautiful Mulberry tree, due to building by a neighbor. Would this type of cutting work for that tree? I have enjoyed, and benefited greatly from your easy to follow advice~ for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Our once bare yard has now become “That’s where the lady lives with all the beautiful flowers and trees” We owe to you, and our landlady is extremely pleased.
I have two Lace Leaf Japanese Maples. I thought they will set seeds in the Fall. As yet I haven’t seen any seeds. The trees are quite matured. When do they become pregnant with seeds?
Hi Mike, Great info!!!!! Can you tell me how to propagate hydrangeas? and what time of year? and how far down do I cut so that I’m not cutting off next years bloom? Can I plant them with this same method? Thanks so much for any and all info!
Hi Mike,
I know you get a lot of email, but I am still hoping to hear back from you about if it is possible to root Blueberries and Rhodondron this way. Please let me know. I am anxiously awaiting so if it is possible I can get my husbnd on making the box befor it is too late. Thank you!
Mike can I use a five gallon bucket with a piece of painted plastic for a lid, rather than using a wooden box?
Thanks Scott
Scott, a lot of people use plastic totes that you can buy in the discount stores. Eventually the sun breaks them down, but they are good for a season or two.
Mike, I refer to your site often for your techniques on propagation. I have had some success.I really like your videos and newsletters. Thanks for sharing with us all.
Hi Mike,
Believe it r not, this is my 4th try, I know you get a lot of email, but I am still hoping to hear back from you about if it is possible to root Blueberries and Rhodondron this way. Please let me know. I am anxiously awaiting so if it is possible I can get my husbnd on making the box befor it is too late. Thank you!
Mike–
Appreciate what you’re doing here. Thanks for all the info. Would never have tried using sand this way. I will soon be unstoppable! Carry on, bib-wearing plant warrior!
Bib wearing plant warrior? I guess that pretty much describes me doesn’t it? Have fun Tif!
Mike, My son-n-law has a box similar to yours, bur he has other roots from the surounding plats taking over his rootings. I am going to make a box as well, but I think closing off the bottom will help without the rootings being taken over…any thoughts?
Carl, you have to be really careful to not trap water, then if you leave openings in the bottom the roots of your cuttings will get tangled up. I like to leave mine completely open and have had minimal problems with invasive roots.
Mike, Thanks for the very helpful video. I live in Western Washington and want to try forsythias. With our frequent winter rains and cloudy winter weather, do I need a cover over the box unless it stays sunny for several days in a row?
Cindy, probably not, just keep them watered daily. Or wait for the plants to go dormant and take your cuttings then. Once the plants are dormant the cuttings are much more durable because they are essentially sleeping until spring. However, sleeping cuttings will make roots while they sleep. Dormancy occurs after hard freeze where the temps get down below 30 degrees F. for a few hours. That event triggers plants into dormancy.
Hi Mike,
Believe it or not, this is my 5th try, I know you get a lot of email, but I am still hoping to hear back from you about if it is possible to root Blueberries and Rhodondron this way. Please let me know. I am anxiously awaiting so if it is possible I can get my husbnd on making the box before it is too late. Thank you! Since I am having such a hard time reaching Mike, is there anyone else out there who is willing to help me with the answers? I would so greatly appreciate annyones help with this.
Trail and error! just do it like you would the others some take a little longer to root
Mike–last spring a friend gave me some flowers from a very old white camellia bush– after the blooms fell off the “twigs” stayed green so I kept them on the kitchen windowsill—those things are STILL GREEN and it is the end of October and they are developing blooms??? …. every now and then I give them a mini pinch of acidic miracle-gro but no roots have developed…what say you…could I get them to develop roots somehow??? I have never seen anything else do this
When is the best time to make cuttings for Canadian Hemlock. Thanks again for all the suggestions
Gary, good question. You can try some now, but they’d probably do a lot better with bottom heat. Or try some during the summer when things are warmer. Most are grow from seed. Great market for seedlings, people are always looking for them. http://freeplants.com/wanted.htm
Hi Mike,
What is the best time for gardenias in southern California?
Great videos!
Thanks!
love your videos.I would to know can i take the tops of my fruit trees that are soft and make cuttings. thank you mike for all your insperation. I have been gardening 49 years.thank you again Scott.
Scott, Fruit trees are typically budded on to a seedling in order to get an exact clone of the parent plant. However, if you can get a cutting to root it would be an exact clone of the parent plant, but maybe not as hardy a rootstock, but worth a try. Do them during them summer, after June 1st. More here: http://www.freeplants.com/homemade-plant-propagation.htm
I noticed earlier, you had advice about rooting grapevines. i cant seem to find it again. could you email me the site ? it had to do with grapevine cuttings in a five gallon bucket outside overwinter.
thanks
Del, here you go http://www.mikesbackyardnursery.com/2010/10/grow-your-own-grape-plants/#
Mike , I am in S.E.Texas where the temp. here is 82 today 11/09/12 We have 12 hrs daylite temp will avg.65-75 into Dec. Should I set a one minute fine spray in the box each day .I can run 6 times a day I have one box with sand into ground 6″ and one 12″ deep box with sand 6″ deep Thanks Paul
Mike, I live in S.E. Texas where the avg. temp is 65-75 thru Dec. I have two boxes for cuttings . Would it be necessary to use a fine spray of water for one minute (can do up to six times a day if nec.) Tops of boxes are white fiberglass and one plexiglass painted white Thanks,Paul
Paul, if the box is covered and closed you don’t have to mist them. Just keep the boxes shaded and the growing medium moist. Will mist harm them? No, but when you mist make sure the cuttings dry out before they get misted again.
Hi Mike,
I live in northern Ontario, Canada (zone 4) and I’m interested in propagating an apple tree from our property. I was curious what your recommended method would be:
1. Planting soft cuttings in sand in the spring?
2. Planting hard cuttings now in sand to winterize? Or
3. Burying hardwood cuttings upside down in potting soil as shown in your video – “Make Hardwood Cuttings After Pruning Your Plants” – here,
Thanks, happy planting
Tanner, I’d have to say that softwood cuttings are probably the best way to go. In zone 4 I’d say do them late June. http://www.freeplants.com/homemade-plant-propagation.htm
Dear Mike – Can I propagate roses the same way? I have a delicious creamy white rose with dark shiny leaves that I would love to have all along my fence – but it doesn’t spread – it climbs! Should I cut it way back every year to encourage fullness?
I am slowly preparimg my yard for a small operation of (mostly ) shade plants (all but my fence is in shade or part shade)….But I do want to propagate my rose…..Can you help?
Lynne, Here’s a how to video about roses from cuttings. You can do this now.
great info as always…I use a powdered root growi product, is liquid better? how do you make it? I’ve read that honey works just as well, what are your thoughts. Thanks Carl
I have been watching your videos for awhile now … So I tried to propagate some of my plants using the techniques shown … figuring that there had to be a catch somewhere … it could not be that easy…. as I watched in amazement … They were starting to have roots… (Even my husband was impressed with the results.)
Thank you for all the info … you made a believer out of me.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth
I would like to root some Leland cyrpress. How long will it take this time of the year an do you cover this in your back yard system. I am thinking of buying it if this info. Is covered in your system thanks OCI
Lester, Leland Cypress are easy to root but this time of year all cuttings are slower to root because the temps are cooler and the cutting wood is harder. In my system I will share with you a fool proof method of rooting plants that works almost perfectly, cuttings root in a matter of weeks. Not to mention all of the other information about how to grow and sell plants for profit. http://freeplants.com/wanted.htm
I would like to propagate my dwarf tree jasmine. I can’t find any information anywhere on the web. Any Ideas? Great presentaion. Thanks zz
ZZ,
When in doubt try this method, http://www.freeplants.com/homemade-plant-propagation.htm in June or July. -Mike McGroarty
Mike, I enjoy your tips and ideas, and always look forward to your next post.
I’ve got a fringe tree that I would like to take cuttings from, but am not sure of the best time or exactly how to go about it. Can you help me?
Thank you.
Mike , What is the best time and way to propagate rododendrum ? Thank You
Ed,
At home the best way to propagate Rhododendron would be like this; http://www.freeplants.com/homemade-plant-propagation.htm. Use a mix that is light. Lots of perlite in the mix, some peat.