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Garden Column for the Salisbury Post Darrell Blackwelder June 23, 2005
Many call me during the year asking how and when to root shrubs. Propagation of shrubs by rooting cuttings is the most popular method of production. Nursery personnel spend countless hours collecting and rooting shrubs cuttings during the summer. Most of the popular shrubs such as azalea, boxwood, camellia, holly, etc. propagate best during the mid summer days of late June and July. It’s usually best to take cuttings from new growth from the tips of shrubs since these often have the highest success of root growth. Stems should be green and vigorous and snap when bent. If the tip bends 180 degrees and doesn’t snap, the growth is too juvenile and will have difficulty rooting. Conversely, old wood harvested from weak or declining shrubs is also very difficult to propagate. On Wednesday, June 29, Rowan County Master Gardeners will conduct a Plant Propagation Workshop for the general public, 9:00 a.m. until Noon at the Agricultural Center on Old Concord Road. The class will take place under the Master Gardener Outdoor Learning Center near the greenhouse. Master Gardener Volunteer Jean Lamb and other Master Gardener Volunteers will be providing information and instructions on basic plant propagation techniques. Lamb has much practical experience to share about plant propagation techniques. There is a cost of $5.00 for the workshop which includes a propagation tray, greenhouse space and all of the necessary supplies needed for successful plant propagation. Participants are encouraged to their bring soft-stem cuttings in a cooler with ice or container with water. Recommended cuttings that have had success rooting at this time of year include: hydrangea, weiglea, spirea, gardenia, camellia, laurel, holly, deutzia, daphne, azalea, lilac, Carolina jasmine, roses, crepe myrtle, chaste tree, butterfly bush, kerria. Participants are encouraged to bring enough plant material to share with others to increase learning curve. The propagation trays provided will be nurtured in the Master Gardener greenhouse until fall. At that time the cuttings will be ready to be "potted up" and taken home. Now is the time to propagate that treasured plant that you would like to try and duplicate. For more questions, contact the Cooperative Extension Office 704-633-0571 or e-mail darrell_blackwelder@ncsu.edu
Darrell Blackwelder is an agricultural agent in charge of horticulture with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in Rowan County. For archived garden columns or other information, visit the Rowan County Master Gardener web site at www.rowanmastergardener.com , e-mail Darrell_Blackwelder@ncsu.edu |