HARDWOOD CUTTINGS

Hi Stan,

I am a former Edmontonian living in Winnipeg and I am interested in taking some hardwood cuttings this winter. I was wondering when would the best time be for taking the cuttings and the proper procedures for getting them started. I was looking at taking some cuttings from a Silver Poplar, Tower Poplar, and a Silver Willow.

Thanks
Chester

Have ready a container with drainage, that will hold at least 8 or 10 inches of well moistened peat moss.

The cuttings are taken by mid Feb. then bottom dusted with a root hormone # 3 to cover the end and upwards on the stem to 3 inches.

Probe each cutting into the peat moss leaving a space between each, of 2 finger widths. Probe them in to a depth of 4 to 5 inches.

Keep the container in the dark and cool, just above freezing by 5 degrees. They will remain in these conditions until callousing begins.

I would suggest you use 1 liter milk containers to transfer the almost-rooting stems, using a heavier mix of peat, perlite and garden soil, 1/3 of each. Move into the light and rather cool but not cold temps. to begin growing on.

If the timing is right on, you can plant the whips directly into the outdoor soil, from the rooting box.

The silver willow , salix hoarus, is a completely different procedure for propagation.

The success when taking these cuttings is minimal. The best, and more difficult procedure during
the winter season, becomes apparent from the start:

It is the root system you take the cuttings from. Lengths of root 3 to 5 inches are used and laid into a box no shallower than 4 inches. Just cover the root divisions with enough moist peat moss to keep them in place. Now, treat them as you are with the poplar cuttings.

Taking the cuttings in the early spring is the way to go, following the above stuff.

You can try taking the hardwood cuttings as with the poplar procedure, but can only expect 10 or 20 percent success.