Propagating Dogwood Trees from Softwood Cuttings

You can clone that beautiful pink dogwood (Cornus florida rubra) from softwood cuttings taken in late spring to early summer. Here's a reliable protocol.

Timing and Material

• When: After flowering, when new growth is 6–8 inches long, still flexible but snapping when bent (late May–June in most zones).
• What: Terminal cuttings from healthy, non-flowering shoots.

Step-by-Step

1. Cut 6–8 inch sections with a sharp, clean knife.
2. Strip all leaves except the top 2–3.
3. Wound the base: scrape a ½-inch sliver of bark on one or two sides.
4. Dip in rooting hormone (IBA 0.1–0.3% powder or liquid).
5. Stick 1–2 inches deep in a sterile medium: 1:1 peat:perlite or coarse sand.
6. Cover with a clear dome or plastic bag to maintain 90%+ humidity.
7. Place in bright, indirect light (east window or under fluorescent lights). Bottom heat (70–75°F) speeds rooting.
8. Mist daily; keep medium moist but not soggy.

After Rooting (6–10 weeks)

• Gently tug—resistance means roots.
• Acclimate: vent cover gradually over 7–10 days.
• Pot individually in well-draining potting mix.
• Grow in partial shade for first season; transplant to final site in fall or next spring.

Notes

• Pink dogwoods are cultivars; cuttings preserve the color. Seeds do not.
• Success rates vary (30–70%). Take 2–3x as many cuttings as you need plants.
• Dogwood anthracnose can affect cuttings—use disease-free stock and sterile media.

With patience and clean technique, you'll have a genetic twin of your neighbor's tree.