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Partlow,Va

Just curious if anyone here fools with em. I've been propagating American and English for around 8 years or so.

It is that time of year again to start some plants...I checked down by the creek(on our farm) this evening on last years batch and I got to thinking that maybe some BP people have the same hobby.

2/14/2013 9:16:34 PM

Mnt.pleasant ,tennessee

I have a few times by setting limb in pot of soil& let it root out.lot times you can look under a big bush& limbs will be rooted on the ground snip& dig.seen a bunch older ladies said the either cut& root in water or just stick it in the ground& keep watered.but definately say take a cutting from new growth were its still limber.once a limb mature& hardens seems to be harder to root out

2/15/2013 5:14:38 AM

Bethlehem CT

Hank what do you do with the boxwood? Do you use them for hedges? Wreaths? One interesting thing about boxwood I learned while propagating them in a commercial nursery is that the boxwood cuttings taken from the containerized (potted) boxwood plants do not root. So we had to get our boxwood cuttings from plants growing in the field. All other tree and shrub species root fine when taking cuttings from the potted plants in the nursery.

2/15/2013 8:39:02 PM

Partlow,Va

Very interesting....My first impression for the greenhouse cuttings not working is the plants are not old enough or more importantly not hardened off.

As our Tennessee friend suggests the old growth is not good for rooting.
In my exp. 1st or 2nd year growth is best.(cuttings 4-7" long;lower 35% stripped of leaves). Place in 70% sand/soil mix.
In my area (Virginia), February in the only month to prune/propagate boxwoods,for sure. I've tried earlier like nov, dec. but it is best to do cuttings and set them out by themselves just before the big spring growth hits ...a no brainer now that i think back on it.

2/16/2013 10:12:45 PM

Partlow,Va

Also, prune or "pluck" from within. It is an acquired trait of which took me some time to master.
My grandmother used to say (quite often) that most gardeners pruned boxwoods incorrectly.Skinning the top is the worst thing you can do.
They need air circulation within to prevent disease, much like the pumpkins. Interior pruning greatly helps the boxwoods and as a bonus you get to use the pruning material to make more!

2/16/2013 10:24:52 PM