On Sun, 25 May 2003 at 22:56:33 Mark
wrote:
However, there is a lovely camellia which flowered in April, but it is
surrounded by yet more conifers, and I think I'll have to clear the lot.
I've read that I might be able to take 'leaf bud cuttings', but couldn't
find any pictures to show how this is done - I can't visualise it, so can
anyopne help? Also, when is the best time to do this?

I'm no expert but two of four such cuttings did take for me. One
failed about six months to a year after taking. Three years, if not
four, later, the remaining one is about 8" (20cm) tall. It is very slow
growing and not very practical unless your shrub is irreplaceable.

I took the entire leaf including the leaf stem and a bit of a node at
the end of the leaf stem. Sunk them, up to the leaf base, in small
individual pots of ericaceous compost and put them in a warm propagator.
The wait was endless - months and months - but finally shoots sprouted
out of the compost (away from the base of the leaf). I started mine in
late Summer (probably not the best time of year either).

Good luck
--
Joe Farrugia, London