propagating Burford Holly ..

[jcfreeman66]

I have recently finished trying to propagate Burford Holly using some techniques I read about on the internet.The day after Christmas 2009 I took green semihardwood cuttings from two mature Burford Hollies I have on my 2 acre property.I used cuttings about 3 inches long with several leaf nodes on each cutting.I removed all leaves on these cuttings and dipped them in rooting hormone.
I then buried these cuttings in the ground around the perimeter of my property to hopefully get a natural privacy fence growing someday.I placed the cuttings about 2 feet apart and 4 inches deep.According to something I read on the internet I placed the cuttings upside down.The ground for the most part is good dirt with the exception of my northern border being acidic iron ore clay.In this ground I took extra precaution and not only buried the cuttings like I previously said.But I also took numerous green semihardwood cuttings and stripped them of leaves until I only had a few leaves at the tip of the cutting.I then placed these cuttings in the ground with the tops sticking out of the ground hoping that they will eventually take roots.
after all is said and done i have tried my hand at propagating over 300 cuttings around the perimeter of my property.I live in East Texas where the winters are usually mild.So far we have had a typical winter with a few cold nights below freezing.I was curious to know if anyone with experience in propagation could tell me if what I have done has a chance to succeed?Any info on what I could or can do would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Miranda]

Hi there,

How do you mean, you placed the cuttings upside down? They need to go in the same way up as they were to start with. Other than that, it sounds like you've done right - make sure they don't dry out and they should root.

Hope it goes well for you and you get your privacy screen!

[jcfreeman66]

In the article I read on how to place the cuttings in the ground .It stated to place the cuttings in the ground with the butt end facing upwards.I assumed this meant the end that I made the cut should be facing upwards.Was I wrong? Will I still have a chance of the cuttings taking root? Thanks for your response Miranda. Please tell me I didn't mess it all up because I put them in the ground wrong.:(

[Miranda]

Where did you read the instructions, jcfreeman66? Was it this page:
http://www.gardenguides.com/2261-secret-growing-landscape-plants-cuttings.html

I have to say that I have never seen that advice given before and it seems mainly to be concerned with preventing frost damage, which probably wouldn't be that much concern where you live. They probably won't come to any harm, but I don't think it was necessary to plant them upside down and once they'd calloused over, during the winter, you'd still need to dig them up again in spring.

I've always used the RHS's methods and find them very successful. There's a page of info here:
http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?PID=404

[jcfreeman66]

I found my information here

http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/trees-shrubs/holly-cuttings.htm


Thanks so much for the replys Miranda.I don't plan on digging them up I was just going to leave them where they are and hope for the best.It was something I just wanted to try while I was on this long holiday time off.I assume that I misread the info or something? Am I gonna need to dig them up or maybe I should just plant some more cuttings?Thanks again:)

[Miranda]

That looks like a shorter version of the page I looked at. Thing is, it says that the holly won't have any leaves when it's dormant, but holly is evergreen - unless it's talking about some other plant. I know holly as Ilex aquifolium.

No, you didn't misread the instructions, it's just that I've never come across that particular method before. I guess completely covering the stems means you don't need a cold frame and it would take up little space and also be cheaper, because you wouldn't need any pots, either. Hmm, and you'd avoid them being chewed by rabbits or deer, as well. Going to have to try it out!

I think the cuttings should be fine where they are, but if you planted them in bundles, then you'll have to dig them up in spring to separate the stems and put them in their planting positions. If they haven't yet rooted in spring, then you could just leave them be until you see shoots appearing. As long as they don't dry out, they should be okay.

If you remember, I'd love to know how they come on.

[jcfreeman66]

I didn't bury them in bundles. I buried them individually about two feet apart around the perimeter of my 2 acres around my home. On my northern border I have a bit of iron ore clay that I was worried about them not rooting well in.I doubled up on the buried cuttings along this area staggering the buried cuttings just in case I didn't have alot of success in the cuttings taking root.


Once again,thanks for all your input on this Miranda. I will definately check back with you and let you know how much success I had. Out of 300 cuttings that I buried if I get 150 cuttings that take root I will be ecstatic.:)

[Miranda]

I'll keep my fingers crossed for your success, jcfreeman66 :)

You know, when you first said about planting them upside down, I thought you were having a joke, but the more I thought about it, the more I want to try it out.

[jcfreeman66]

I am back to give an update on what my Burford holly cuttings are doing.The good news is that most of the cuttings that I propagated by leaving a couple of leaves on them and planting them with the leaves sticking up out of the ground seem to be doing very well.
As for the cuttings that I dipped in rooting hormone and buried them individually about 3 inches in the ground with no leaves on them I am not so sure about them.I dug up about 5 of the cuttings and looked at them.All of the cuttings were a dark color almost black and it did not appear that they had any roots on them. Has it just not been long enough for these cuttings? Any info on what I should look for if I dig a few cuttings up?
If these do fail I would appreciate any suggestions on an evergreen plant,shrub or tree that grows fast and is hardy enough to withstand Texas heat.I want to grow a natural privacy fence that grows thick and tall. Thanks :)