Hi all. Hope I am OK here with this and also that the site approves. My idea is that with all the interesting topics we have about particular subjects it might be an idea to have an area where our random thoughts just come to mind - anything gardening which does not warrant starting a topic or fit into other existing ones - a miscellany (sp?) in fact. Bring into it also all aspects of wildlife experienced in our gardens including those things we see even as a "one off" - such thoughts and observations can occur at any time whether sitting indoors thinking garden or even when working or walking out and about. Just one little thought here and a request - could the double posting rule be relaxed just a little so that if we have subsequent thoughts immediately following our last comment we can make them. If not approved happy to accept the reject. Syd.
Syd, your heading "Sideshoots and Runners" brought to mind my first propagation attempts. I found that pegging in a long rose cane could lead to rooting, and a second rose bush. Then I found that you could do it with more than roses--rosemary, some thymes, even shrubs. When we got to the point we couldn't fit in any more plants I stopped pegging in. Since we moved to the farm, we have more room-- --and I'm pegging away!
Hmm I may have to try pegging. Ive tried rose cuttings and they failed. My heuchera attempts also failed. Maybe they're too old and woody :/ Only luck Ive had so far is Mint and Wandering Jew.
Bip, here's a link to a post I did about taking rose cuttings and rooting them. It works, I've done it for lots and lots of roses. The only caveat is that the rose has to be own-root, not hybrid and grafted. http://www.gardenstew.com/about20585.html
Marlin and Bip, with the right conditions graphed roses can be multiplied with the same technics. I rooted cuttings off my David Austin rose and it is definitely graphed. I have found that even though the starts are now 15-20 years old they don't have the same vigor as the bought graphed plant.
Hi Jane - Bip - Jewell. I have layered shrubs in variety over the years successfully - have also had them layer themselves. Roses I took cuttings of and found though it took a while (2 seasons?) a percentage of those I took rooted OK. Seem to recall they were taken in autumn about a foot long, inserted well into the ground in a shady spot and left to get on with it. Recently got a number of new Laurel bushes this way. Never tried it myself but has anyone tried aerial layering which I have read of?. Its been a really good time for butterflies, bees and others insects here this year. A first for me was to see visiting a nice Phlox a Hummingbird Hawk Moth - behaved exactly like a Hummer and hovered at the flowers whilst taking a snack. Regards. Syd.
Sorry, but the double posting rule applies to all topics, Editing a post is super simple. In the upper right hand corner of the 'block' containing your message is the word EDIT, click on that, add your additional comments to the post, then click on Submit.
Jewell, some David Austins are grafted onto Dr. Huey root stock because it is practically indestructible. Your rooted cuttings are probably not as strong as the grafted ones because of the lack of the hardy root stock. I only propagate own-root roses, because I'm just not good enough to get a grafted rose to live and thrive. A gentleman who has a pecan orchard has offered to teach me layered grafting which is used for most "bred" pecan trees. When and if I learn, I'll try it on several kinds of fruit trees as well as pecans. He is a brave man to trust me around a sharp knife!
Hi Toni. Foiled again then - I never was good with figures - better with a small handfork. Thing is though written as we Brits write it it will be a hundred years before it appears again will it not. Always a fountain of knowledge me. Regards. Syd.
I dont intentionally 'peg' any plants, but I have had my Forsythia 'peg' itself! I have transplanted the new shrubs around the yard. Also seem to have new Spiraea shrubs quite frequently, and also transplant them. There is nothing unwanted here, everything finds a home
Hi Netty. I have the same attitude as yourself - theres a place for everything if possible - that is except those plants which are very invasive and can cause problems to me and its plant neighbours. Syd.
Oh don't get me started of forsythia! Ach! I would like to increase my Geranium macrorrhizum, the big-root geranium, but when I go to divide it, I find most of the plant is just sitting on top of the soil, and the part of the plant that actually has roots is way beck in the middle! How does one divide that? I have the same problem with low growing carnations (dianthus, cheddar pinks). Any advice?
rose starts rose starts I do this all the time. I do nothing special except use rooting hormone. I do water then every day. if they loose their leaves, they will grow more later.. I also do this with Hydranga, Forsythia, Burning Bush, Holly, Rose of Sharon, Contorted Willow, Geranium, etc.