SHRUBS FROM CUTTINGS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 78, 2 April 1938, Page 13

SHRUBS FROM CUTTINGS

It is often desirable to increase the stock of choice shrubs to fill in va- , cancies, also to replace older sorts. i Amongst those that may be propa- ; gated easily are:— Ceonotnus, myrtles, buddleas, fuchsias, hydrangeas, laurustinus, aloysia, choisya, abelia, lavender, rosemary, euonymous, cistus, spireas, berberis, deutzias, eleagnus, olearias, griselinia aad others. Choose a site which is well drained and open, but which can be shaded for a time until cuttings are rooted. Quantities are not re quired in a small garden, and half a dozen of a kind is usually sufficient unless the idea is to grow sufficient to form a hedge. The soil should be worked up well, and if heavy or close, work in some sand. In some cases it may be advisable to add leafsoil or manure, but any such addition should be in a well-decayed condition or it will do more harm than good if it can be said that manure is of any value at all to cuttings. In the majority of cases it will be found that organic manure can be harmful. When the cuttings have formed roots, it is quite another matter. Having got the soil into a good condition it should be firmed by treading, for which reason it must not be too wet. Then stretch the garden line along, drawn taut, and with the spade cut down and draw away the soil, leaving a trench with upright sides about 6in to 9in deep. If the soil is inclined to be wet, or as an additional advantage, a little sand can be sown along the base of the drill. Length of the cuttings will vary, of course, but if you hold them against the back wall of the trench you can press enough loose soil to hold it firm until the row is planted, no matter what the length. The cuttings, except short green shoots, should be planted so that only one or two buds are above the soil. When the row is finished tread well and make soil around the cuttings quite firm, label them and then smooth and level the surface with the spade. If further rows are needed leave a space of 12in, in the case of large cuttings, 6in. Be sure to use a sharp knife. If the cuttings are too long reduce the green top back to a firm bud, in fact with woody cuttings it is advisable to cut off with a heel and to shorten the ton back, cutting away the soft green growing top.