Another project -- We have some honeysuckle shrubs that are just rabid
growers. I've seen these things cut down to the ground in the spring then
grow to 10 feet by the end of the summer. The birds love the shrubs because
they provide both shelter and food (little red berries).

I've TRIED to get some seeds of honeysuckle shrubs -- everyone is either out
or they want to sell a tiny packet for an outrageous price. So I'm thinking
trying my hand at getting some cuttings to root.

I've never really tried this, so I thought I'd hit the collective up for
some suggestions. Can I just cut some stems, put some rooting powder on the
ends and stick 'em in the ground?

James

"JNJ" wrote:

I've never really tried this, so I thought I'd hit the collective up for
some suggestions. Can I just cut some stems, put some rooting powder on the
ends and stick 'em in the ground?

I haven't done this with honeysuckle, but I've had success with plum
trees and some other plants. Out of my last four cuttings, three
survived.

It does not work well if you do it in the spring. Do it in the fall to
give the cuttings several months to grow roots before the weather
warms up.

Keep them into place that's cool but not freezing, and well lighted
but not exposed to much direct sun. It works best if you put them in
pots with a soil mixture that drains well. I use 2/3 garden soil and
1/3 vermiculite.

My mail address is jsachs177 at earthlink dot net.

On Fri, 28 Mar 2003 22:53:46 -0500, "JNJ" wrote:

Another project -- We have some honeysuckle shrubs that are just rabid
growers. I've seen these things cut down to the ground in the spring then
grow to 10 feet by the end of the summer. The birds love the shrubs because
they provide both shelter and food (little red berries).

I've TRIED to get some seeds of honeysuckle shrubs -- everyone is either out
or they want to sell a tiny packet for an outrageous price. So I'm thinking
trying my hand at getting some cuttings to root.

I've never really tried this, so I thought I'd hit the collective up for
some suggestions. Can I just cut some stems, put some rooting powder on the
ends and stick 'em in the ground?

James


I don't know how much help my experiences will be, maybe it will at
least be a reference point. I had a honeysuckle vine on the north
side of the house. Bright shade. One of the branches got broken at a
woody part just a little fatter than a pencil. I used some rooting
hormone and stuck it in the garden close to the original vine. It
rooted and took off like gangbusters. IIRC it was late spring or
early summer. Never did get a cutting from the green twining part to
take root. But this was with a vine. I'm not familiar with
honeysuckle shrubs and don't know how closely related they are.

zhan

JNJ wrote:

Another project -- We have some honeysuckle shrubs that are just rabid
growers. I've seen these things cut down to the ground in the spring then
grow to 10 feet by the end of the summer. The birds love the shrubs because
they provide both shelter and food (little red berries).

I've TRIED to get some seeds of honeysuckle shrubs -- everyone is either out
or they want to sell a tiny packet for an outrageous price. So I'm thinking
trying my hand at getting some cuttings to root.

I've never really tried this, so I thought I'd hit the collective up for
some suggestions. Can I just cut some stems, put some rooting powder on the
ends and stick 'em in the ground?

Layering is foolproof. Bend a long stem to the ground, "staple" in
place with a piece of bent wire, cover with soil. Keep watered until it
roots.

Stems that can't be bent can be airlayered. Lightly nick the stem at a leaf
or branch node to stimulate a healing/growth response. Pack a damp soil ball
around the wound and bandage with a piece of Saran Wrap. When you can see
roots through the film, cut from the mother and replant.

With either approach, there's no need to apply rooting powder.

"JNJ" wrote in message
...
Another project -- We have some honeysuckle shrubs that are just rabid
growers. I've seen these things cut down to the ground in the spring then
grow to 10 feet by the end of the summer. The birds love the shrubs
because
they provide both shelter and food (little red berries).

I've TRIED to get some seeds of honeysuckle shrubs -- everyone is either
out
or they want to sell a tiny packet for an outrageous price. So I'm
thinking
trying my hand at getting some cuttings to root.

I've never really tried this, so I thought I'd hit the collective up for
some suggestions. Can I just cut some stems, put some rooting powder on
the
ends and stick 'em in the ground?

James


Last year in late spring/ early summer I pruned mine back, and took cuttings
about 6" long from the tips; I used root hormone, put in three cuttings per
pot, put them in the shade with a water mister. Most if not all took root,
and most had a few flowers showing in Jan/February. I also divided the
'mother' bush, and took a few of the rooted offshoots from the bottom, which
I planted elsewhere directly. They too have thrived. I've got more starter
bushes now than I have places to plant them. (Don't they smell incredibly
good?!! The fragrance drifts over the whole yard, just from one bush! Next
January should be wonderful, when they are in bloom all over this place!!)
If you are in the zone for winter honeysuckle, you could also grow 'the
next chapter', Sweet Banana Shrub. It starts to cover the yard with
fragrance just after the 'suckle quits. It smells like Cream Soda tastes!
Kt