Q for Andy on Propogation

[Chuckles]

Morning Andy, in May in the Garden you mentioned now is the time to take softwood cuttings. Can you put cuttings in a container of water in the HP. I took some side shoots off an Acer at my inlaws yesterday and wondered if I could get them going this way.

[andy]

I doubt Acers will root in water Chuckles but it's got to be worth a try. I have taken them from cuttings before but that was from very softwood cuttings and then in a heated mist propagator and i got about 1% rooted......and they were pretty weak.

It's always worth experimenting with cuttings. I've got some orange barked willows (salix alba chermesina) rooting nicely in a glass of water so other softwoods have got to be worth a try.

Soon, in about a month or so, it'll be time to take semi-ripe cuttings once that softwood growth has stiffened up a bit and semi ripes are a bit more successful than softies, although they take longer to root.

HTH and good luck

[Chuckles]

Thanks Andy as you say anything is worth a try.

I've done some in a pot and some in the HP. Have also put some Passion Flower in the HP too. I like to experiment a bit

Will be interesting to hear if anyone else has had a go at cuttings, soft or semi ripe or hardwood. Can we have those fab drawings you did in the Monthly do you think.

[andy]

Just done a few cuttings myself as the HP was looking a bit empty. Took some Abutilon megapotanicum 'Patric Singe', some lonicera Belgica, Myrtus communis (Myrtle) and some of that dirty great solanum which grows as a tree (name escapes me).

[Chuckles]

2 of the 4 Passion Flower cuttings I put in water a couple of weeks ago in the HP have rooted, they are now snuggled in some compo in pots, I'm well pleased ;D