Cuttings?

[vicki]

Hi All,
Was wondering if you can take cuttings of hardy perinnals still?
Before it freezes, and put them under lights?

Thanks,
Happy Growing,
Vicki in West Michigan

[Ann B.]

Yes, Vicki! I would definitely try. I made numerous cuttings at the last minute last year, and they rooted in my garage without florescent lights. If you've got the lights, though, I would recommend them.

Enjoy!

[Log Cabin Pat]

Vicki
I take all my cuttings in the fall. Mainly because I need them for sale in the spring and it takes them all winter to get to the size I need. The best time ofcourse is to take them in the spring. I take short tip cuttings because I don't want old wood I do better on semi new wood. I also put them on heat, that speeds up the process. By the time they root and I have them in 4'' pots around april I am able to take cuttings off of them. You have to prune them so might as well use those cuttings too. I take cuttings of things that stay green in the winter as I need them, freezing does not seem to hurt the rooting process.
Have to go I am expecting 600 new and exciting Sempervivums in the mail today. Hope I have enough 1'' pots.

Pat

[Ann B.]

Thanks, so much, Pat!

Two months ago, I took some cuttings of the deep purple Buddliea, I think it is Black Knight, but my source is not reliable as there was no label on the plant, just verbal. I checked today, and even though I put the cuttings in 4 inch pots, they have long fine roots expanding beyond the bottom of the pots. They even bloomed within a month, and have a second set of blooms. Like Pat said, I just used the tips, and I cut the blooms off. I even have some cuttings that are forming seed pods, so I need to prune and transplant those.

The mother plant has stopped blooming, and the yellow honeycomb is not blooming, but that may be due to a long dry spell which has now been broken this weekend by severe thunderstorms. All of the others are still blooming.

I want to try making late cuttings, and seeing if they will root and stay healthy without winter protection.

We will see...