Countless gardening enthusiasts out there are trying to figure out how to propagate boxwood from cuttings – and for good reason! If you’re one of them, you’ll love the fact that these plants are extremely easy to grow. You can choose to plant boxwood as a standalone shrub or you can also compress them together to act as a border.
In case you’re wondering, boxwoods were originally from Europe. However, in the mid-1600s, these plants found their way to North America. Since then, they’ve become widely used in landscaping as edging, hedges, as well as accents. They’re also used to screen plants.
Their lush and green foliage won’t fail to make your garden look extra special. If you’re looking to add more structure to your backyard botanical oasis, these lovely shrubs won’t disappoint!
A Closer Look At How to Propagate Boxwood From Cuttings
Although the process of propagating boxwood from cuttings is as easy as pie, it does take a little bit of time. In most cases, it would take about three years (or even more!) before you see them grow large enough to serve as a hedge in your precious garden.
It’s also important to note that not all of your cuttings are going to root. For this reason, it’s best if you take more than you think you would need. Despite the fact that growing them would require you to be patient, your cost savings will be nothing short of substantial. Take a look at the steps your need to take when you’re trying to propagate boxwood from cuttings.
Step #1: Propagate around late summer to early fall
Before anything else, you need to know when to take your boxwood cuttings. The best time to propagate these plants is around late summer until early fall. In most cases, people do so between the months of July and October, right after you see the spring growth beginning to harden.
Step #2: Prepare your materials
Be sure that you have your materials ready. You will need a sharp knife, some rooting hormone, pots that are filled with clean and fresh potting soil, and a large plastic bag that has a twist-tie.
Step #3: Prepare the pot
You can find various ways to prep your pot for your cuttings. While most people prefer to use well-draining soil, others utilize sand and perlite (50-50 mix), peat moss, or compost.
You may choose any of these options as long as your pot is about 4 inches in diameter and has drainage holes. To keep the potting mix evenly moist, you may saturate the mixture in water before you let it drain for approximately 10 minutes.
Step #4: Pick cuttings from a healthy branch
When it comes to selecting your cuttings, be sure to get them from a branch that’s sturdy, healthy, and shows no signs of damage or disease. The right length for your cuttings is about 4 to 6 inches.
Gently snap off your desired cuttings with the use of your thumb and forefinger. You may also use a pair of sterile gardening shears or a knife. The bottom half of your cuttings must be stripped off of its leaves.
Step #5: Transport the cuttings into the pots
After selecting your desired cuttings, you’ll need to stick them into the pots that you previously prepared. Before you transport them, dip about a 1/2 inch of the cutting’s bottom part into your rooting hormone.
To help keep your plant stable, you may place pencils or sticks around the cutting before you place a plastic covering on top of it. However, creating this type of tiny greenhouse would require you to open the covering a few times per week so that you can check the soil and let the air in.
Step #6: Choose a location
It’s very important to place your cuttings in a spot where it can get a lot of indirect sunlight. You have to keep the cuttings moist all the time if you want to promote vigorous growth. Use a spray bottle to mist the leaves to make sure that the plant is constantly hydrated.
Step #7: Check the cuttings within 4 weeks
In just a matter of 4 weeks, your cuttings will begin to take root. To check if the roots have already developed, simply tug at the tiny plants gently. If they move around easily, then it means that they haven’t rooted yet.
Step #8: Overwinter them
During the winter season, don’t forget to overwinter your plants. When you choose a location for this, you need to make sure that they don’t dry out. For this reason, it’s best to overwinter them in a place where it’s cool and bright.
Step #9: Transplant them into larger containers
As soon as your plants have developed roots, you may transplant them into much larger containers in two weeks. Ideally, their roots should be developed enough within 3 months. Once they are, you may transplant them outdoors during springtime.
Grow Boxwood In a Hobby Greenhouse!
If somebody asks you how to propagate boxwood from cuttings, you can tell them to follow the steps mentioned above! If you haven’t tried greenhouse gardening yet, you’re missing out. Aside from providing your plants with the ideal environment for encouraging growth, you’ll also keep them protected from the elements, pests, vermin, and diseases.