Propagating Shrubs from Cuttings: Summer Rooting Technique

Early July excellent for collecting cuttings from favorite shrubs to root. Azalea, camellia, holly easy to propagate by rooting. Several techniques; here's one for many broad-leafed shrubs:

Also see Fine Gardening Magazine article.

1. Observe summer growth on targeted shrub. New growth 8–10" long, several leaves. At base, bark turning green to brown. Bend brown growth—if it snaps like a pencil, cuttings ready to root.
2. Prepare rooting chambers: several 6-inch clay pots and matching 2-liter soda bottles. Cut bottom off each bottle. Fill pots with moist rooting mix: 1:1 peat moss and perlite or gritty sand (Pavestone Paver Sand works). Poke two 3" deep holes in soil center with pencil.
3. Take several 6–8" cuttings from new growth. Strip leaves near cut, leave few at tip. Dust rooting hormone on cut end. Insert into 3" holes. Firm soil around each.
4. Press cut bottles onto soil, covering cutting with clear plastic dome. Remove bottle cap. Place in shady location—no direct sun. Spray water through bottle top weekly to moisten soil.
5. In 6–8 weeks, cutting forms roots around cut end. Remove chamber top, keep soil moist until September. Then plant small shrub in new landscape area.

Air-Layering
Azalea Propagation
Rose Propagation