AboutTom Alonzo Expertise I have been growing plants from seeds for at least 20 years. I have grown literally hundreds of different kinds of vegetables, trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials, tropicals, some cacti, water plants, iris, rose, lilies, cannas, etc. I enjoy starting from seed.
Experience I've been growing my own seeds for 20 years with indoor propagation equipment I built myself. I am also an Allexperts volunteer on the perennial forum. I have completed the Master Gardener course through the Kansas State University Extension. I have experience with a wide variety of seeds and I have also read through Norm Deno's books on seed germination.
Question I recently asked a question about planting cottonwood seeds. My next question is when I can expect the tree to seed? The dying one is producing seed, but none of the others near by are. I would like to take seeds from a healthy tree if I can...
Also, do cottonwoods root well from softwood cuttings? I know you are a seed guy but it doesn't hurt to ask!
Answer Hi Amanda,
Thanx for your question. Seed dispersal starts in May through July in the South and June though mid-July in the North.
Take 6 inch cuttings from the ends of semi-green wood in summer. A rooting hormone applied to the end of the cutting will help aid rooting. Keep them in warm, moist sand and mist them two or three times a day. I would enclose the growing container inside a clear plastic bag to help maintain humidity. Check for roots at the end of summer.
