GRISELINIA littoralis cuttings

boydE · 12 May 2007 at 12:43PM

I spent £100 on shrubs, GRISELINIA littoralis, i planted them on one side, i dont want to spend another £100 on doing the other side, so what i need to know, which is the best way to cut them and when?

Jayar · 12 May 2007 at 1:00PM

Had to look this one up as I'm not too good on the latin names

This page however
http://www.wildchicken.com/nature/garden/nature_200_013.htm
suggests taking semi ripe cuttings in the summer

boydE · 12 May 2007 at 1:03PM

thanks, where abouts do you cut and how much do you cut, do you plant into the ground or use pots to start them off?

Jayar · 12 May 2007 at 1:25PM

Right, sorry, didn't explain myself too well there - blame it on the fact that it's Saturday

Cut off "bits" about 10cm long. Cut with a very sharp knife, just below a leaf joint. Take off the bottom few leaves and dip the end in a rooting hormone. Shake off the excess and put the cutting in some compost. Make sure that you make a hole for the cutting first because if you just push it in, the hormone will get knocked off.
Take loads of cuttings - more than you think you will need. Put the pots with cuttings in inside a plastic bag and seal it, after watering them in, of course.
Then just sit back and wait for them to "take". You have to be a bit patient and don't be tempted to sneak a look

Oh, also meant to say good luck - looks like a great hedge you'll have

boydE · 12 May 2007 at 2:27PM

hey, thanks for that, how long do you think that they should be in the bag for?
are the bags for warmth and is best with a see through bag?

Jayar · 12 May 2007 at 2:31PM

Glad to be of assistance

Sorry, not having tried to take cuttings from this plant, I'm not sure how long they will take to root, but you'll be able to see it put on extra growth and I'll allow you to give them a tiny little tug then to see if they've taken.
The bag is to provide your cuttings with their own little mocroclimate and yes, a see though bag is best so that they get enough light.

boydE · 12 May 2007 at 2:34PM

ok, thank you.
once summer comes ill do it and perhaps post a pic when grown.

Ta

lynseydee · 12 May 2007 at 2:40PM

I know this isn't the same plant but I experimented with taking some cuttings off a honeysuckle I was given and out of the five cuttings I think four have definitely taken. All I did was stick them in a pot of compost (no rooting powder as I don't have any) and stuck the pot in my greenhouse. I didn't put a bag over the pot as the greenhouse probably has the same effect (sorry but new to this gardening game too. Just ends up being trial and error with me).