Boxwoodis an evergreen shrub, perfect for borders and low trimmed hedges. For a hedge, however, we need a larger number of cuttings, which are not always cheap. Therefore, it is worth learninghow to make boxwood cuttingsand get young plants from at least one bush for your garden. Seehow to propagate boxwoodfrom cuttings - when and how to take cuttings and how to take care of them so that they root quickly.
Boxwood seedlings
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How to pick boxwood cuttings
Taking shoot cuttings is a very good way topropagate boxwoodand get seedlings of this bush yourself almost for free. We collect such seedlings from he althy and well-branching plants.
Bestboxwood cuttingsdownload in August, although the experience of many gardeners shows that it can be done at any time from spring to summer and can be collected simply while pruning the bush. This is when it is easiest. Avoid only picking boxwood cuttings in the fall as they may not take root before winter and then they will not survive.
Cutting the boxwood shoot for seedlings
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To makeboxwood cuttings , cut the top sections of 10 cm from this year's non-lignified shoots. The shoot should still be green, but the lower part of the cut off shoot should already be stiff (check that it does not bend after lightly pressing it against the finger).
How to prepare boxwood cuttings for rooting
From each shoot cut into cuttings, gently tear off the lower leaves, almost to the middle of its length. This part of the shoot will sink into the ground. It is also worth cutting off the topboxwood cuttingsto remove the youngest leaves (because of this, the seedling loses the most moisture and can dry quickly). Remember to trim the cuttings only with a clean and sharp knife or secateurs.
A boxwood twig cut for a seedling
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Before placing the cuttings in the grounddip their lower ends into the rooting agent. A rootinger will be good here for herbaceous and semi-woody cuttings. Shake off the excess powder and put the shoot into the ground.
As a substrateyou can use soil loosened with sand for rooting boxwood cuttings . The ideal substrate will be e.g.de-acidified garden peat mixed with sand in a ratio of 1: 1. The substrate should be neutral to neutral or slightly acidic. Remember that boxwood hates very acidic soil. The seedlings can be planted in pots or small boxes.
How to care for boxwood seedlings
Boxwood cuttingsplace in a shaded or semi-shaded place and keep the soil moist. They need to be watered very gently or fogged with a sprayer. If they are covered, we ventilate them every few days. When the first symptoms of growth appear, they will start to sprout new leaves, which is a sign that the seedlings have established themselves. Rooting can take from several weeks to even several months. It is important that the seedlings do not wither or become infected by fungal diseases during this period. Therefore, seedlings should be looked after and immediately removed those that are sick (withering leaves, stains, rot, etc.).
First winteryoung boxwood seedlingsshould be kept in a frost-free place, e.g.in a cool, bright cellar or in an inspection or greenhouse. They will be suitable for planting in the garden in spring. In order to obtain strong and well-branching specimens, they can be kept in pots for up to two years. At this age, they can be planted immediately on a hedge or border, or sold as wholesome plants. To create a dense row, plant them approximately every 20 cm.
