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most gardeners are familiar with rooting such shrubs as flowering currants, forsythias and mock orange from these cuttings, but there are a wide range of hardy trees and shrubs that can be propagated by this method. It is the cheapest way to raise species and varieties, and is used by the nursery trade.
Box, escallonia, garrya, tamarix, aucuba, and even the laburnum tree are on the list. Many roses too, will root from cuttings taken now. A sheltered position should be chosen - cuttings exposed to drying winds are likely to fail, but the site needs light, and it must be well drained. The ideal soil is one with a high sand content; cuttings need air as well as moisture to form root initials. The cuttings should be taken from well matured shoots made this year, and are usually made about a foot long and planted at least half their length in the ground. After a heavy frost they may need firming, as they tend to lift and damage any young roots. Some woody cuttings start to root before Christmas, especially the black and red currants.
After a season's growth, the new plants can be moved carefully - planted out or potted up, and may be given to friends or to some money raising effort! Why not try as many kinds of woody plants this month and see how many root? If a cold frame is free, lots more species and varieties will root. Plant propagation is an interesting hobby - remember the nectarine in Rudston, mentioned in last month's Newsletter.
Dick Robinson
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