"Michael Bell" wrote in message
. uk...
In my search for alders which will bear seeds which could be used as a
cereal crop, I have found trees which are steps on the way in other
directions, for example trees which have whole branches which carry no
leaves but lots of cones.

So, I have tried to take cuttings of these trees. But alder doesn't
take cuttings easily. Not like willows!

Can anybody advise me on how to take cuttings of alder?

Michael Bell


--

Been having problems with my News reader not sending posts, can you confirm
you got the email I sent you?


--
Charlie, Gardening in Cornwall
Holders of National Collections of Clematis viticella
and Lapageria rosea cvs
http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk

In message
"Charlie Pridham" wrote:


"Michael Bell" wrote in message
. uk...
In my search for alders which will bear seeds which could be used as a
cereal crop, I have found trees which are steps on the way in other
directions, for example trees which have whole branches which carry no
leaves but lots of cones.

So, I have tried to take cuttings of these trees. But alder doesn't
take cuttings easily. Not like willows!

Can anybody advise me on how to take cuttings of alder?

Michael Bell


--

Been having problems with my News reader not sending posts, can you confirm
you got the email I sent you?

Charlie

Thank you for your follow-up

My newsreader automatically deletes postings more than 28 days old,
and I have no record of having received anything from you.

What I have done is to try air-layer my target tree. I did about 8
branches. I cut the phloem off last's growth, leaving just xylem stem.
I smeared on rooting compound jelly. I cut a bread bag in half and cut
the bottom out of it and threaded it over the branch and sealed it to
the branch using "duct tape" - very sticky! Around the stem I poured
potting compost mixed with a small amount of soil from around the
roots of last year's seedlings to bring in some of the root nodule
bacteria. I pulled the bag up and using more duct tape I sealed it to
the branch above the stripped section. I wrapped more duct tape round
the bag so formed to hold the compost tight to the stem. I have
resisted the urge to open the bags to see what is going on, but I have
felt tempted to inject water using a hypodermic syringe - where can I
get one of those without the police being notified?

Do you think I have done right?

Michael Bell

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If the compost was sufficiently moist to start with, and you have sealed it well, my experience is that it stays moist long enough for rooting to occur. I would always leave the wrapping round the roots transparent (not cover it with duct tape) so that you can see when roots have grown through the compost.