The other night, at Bill's auction, I bought a 3-gallon 'Arakawa' maple. It
needs major pruning & styling. One expert said to work on deciduous trees in
the winter when the leaves are off so you can see what you are doing. However,
since it is not a common variety, I wanted to save the cuttings for my club.
Bill said the best time to take cuttings is in June. Any way I can compromise?
Would it be possible to prune the tree in February or March, when the sap
starts running, and root the cuttings under lights or in a greenhouse?
Iris,
Central NY, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40
"If we see light at the end of the tunnel, It's the light of the oncoming
train."
Robert Lowell (1917-1977)

I divide cuttings into two groups: hardwood & softwood. I do hardwood
cuttings in the fall after leaf-drop. Procedu cut pencil sized branches
with sharp knife at 45o angle. Dip in Root-tone. Shake off excess. Bundle
6 to 8 together.
Plant in prepared bed at 45o angle about 1/2 way down the length. Mark with
stake so you can find them in the spring.
Softwood cuttings: Wait until new shoots emerge in spring. Remove all but
3-5 leaves. Cut at 45o angle. Apply Root-tone. Plant indiviually in a
flat, using sharp sand or Perlite. Keep damp, but not soggy. Protect flat
whenever night temp. is below 40oF.
I find hardwood cuttings much more reliable than softwood, and less care is
necessary in growing them. You will find that some of them don't root over
winter, but form a hard scab over the wound. Don't give up on these. Plant
them as you would softwood cuttings, and watch for bud formation. Very
often the opening of the buds will trigger root growth.
So the answer to your question is -
try hardwood cuttings; and keep them outdoors! Freezing won't hurt them.
Marty

----- Original Message -----
From: "Iris Cohen"
To:
Sent: Monday, September 13, 2004 8:59 AM
Subject: [IBC] Timing Dilemma


The other night, at Bill's auction, I bought a 3-gallon 'Arakawa' maple.
It
needs major pruning & styling. One expert said to work on deciduous trees
in
the winter when the leaves are off so you can see what you are doing.
However,
since it is not a common variety, I wanted to save the cuttings for my
club.
Bill said the best time to take cuttings is in June. Any way I can
compromise?
Would it be possible to prune the tree in February or March, when the sap
starts running, and root the cuttings under lights or in a greenhouse?
Iris,
Central NY, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40
"If we see light at the end of the tunnel, It's the light of the oncoming
train."
Robert Lowell (1917-1977)

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++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++