Once the cuttings have rooted they should be hardened off in the autumn by removing the glass and left in the frame for the winter. Woody plants that throw out shoots from the roots may be propagated by root cuttings. This is a fairly simple method, which may be carried out during the dormant period when the gardener has the most time.
Shrubs propagated mainly by winter cuttings include those that take root easily in the open (Salix, Spiraea, Deutzia, Philadelphus, Lonibera, Ligustrum, Rosa, Ribes, etc.). Winter cuttings are taken from one-year shoots in early winter before the first frosts. The cuttings are usually 20-30 cm in length, the bottom cut being made just below a bud and the upper cut just above a bud. The bottom cut is made just below the bud because that is the spot where the cuttings put forth new roots most readily.
For the same reason. it is sometimes recommended to take cuttings with a heel, i.e. with a sliver of the old wood where the shoot arises. This method is used mainly in the case of shrubs that do not root readily for it is possible to make only a limited number of such cuttings.
Summer cuttings are taken from spring shoots when they begin to turn woody at the base. They are shorter than winter cuttings, from 4 to 10 cm in length. The bottom cut is again made just below the bud, where new tissue is produced more readily. All leaves are removed from the bottom part of the cutting that is to be inserted into the rooting medium. If the remaining leaves are more than 8-10 cm long, it is best to shorten them by at least half to limit transpiration. 'The best rooting medium for cuttings is a mixture of one part gritty river sand and one part peat, on top of which is added a 1-1.5 cm layer of river sand. This is then well watered and lightly tamped down.
The cuttings should be inserted to about 1/3rd of their length in holes made with a dibber slightly thicker than the cuttings and lightly firmed in. The bed or pot should then be well watered and covered with glass.
The cuttings are inserted up to 2/3rds of their length, directly in the soil by hand using a spade or dibber to make a hole. It is important that the lower end of the cutting be firmly surrounded by soil. - 16035
Shrubs propagated mainly by winter cuttings include those that take root easily in the open (Salix, Spiraea, Deutzia, Philadelphus, Lonibera, Ligustrum, Rosa, Ribes, etc.). Winter cuttings are taken from one-year shoots in early winter before the first frosts. The cuttings are usually 20-30 cm in length, the bottom cut being made just below a bud and the upper cut just above a bud. The bottom cut is made just below the bud because that is the spot where the cuttings put forth new roots most readily.
For the same reason. it is sometimes recommended to take cuttings with a heel, i.e. with a sliver of the old wood where the shoot arises. This method is used mainly in the case of shrubs that do not root readily for it is possible to make only a limited number of such cuttings.
Summer cuttings are taken from spring shoots when they begin to turn woody at the base. They are shorter than winter cuttings, from 4 to 10 cm in length. The bottom cut is again made just below the bud, where new tissue is produced more readily. All leaves are removed from the bottom part of the cutting that is to be inserted into the rooting medium. If the remaining leaves are more than 8-10 cm long, it is best to shorten them by at least half to limit transpiration. 'The best rooting medium for cuttings is a mixture of one part gritty river sand and one part peat, on top of which is added a 1-1.5 cm layer of river sand. This is then well watered and lightly tamped down.
The cuttings should be inserted to about 1/3rd of their length in holes made with a dibber slightly thicker than the cuttings and lightly firmed in. The bed or pot should then be well watered and covered with glass.
The cuttings are inserted up to 2/3rds of their length, directly in the soil by hand using a spade or dibber to make a hole. It is important that the lower end of the cutting be firmly surrounded by soil. - 16035
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Wood is probably the most versatile and often the cheapest and easiest material to use in your garden plan if you are building your own garden enclosure.
