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 have a cut limb from a tree that has sprouted new growth. How do I plant that limb. It is about 18" long and 1 1/2" in diameter and new growth coming from it. Do I lay it horizontal in the dirt with the new growth facing upward??? Thank you for your help.
Answer Hi Pamela,
Thanx for your question. My experience in growin the mimosa (Albizzia julibrissin) is that I have one growing in my backyard and I have started the leguminuous seeds indoors and they are easy to sprout like beans. I've never tried to grow a cutting. My research indicates that although your limb is larger than is normally used for propagation, the limbs have been known to root as long as they are fresh. I would advises coating the cut end with rooting hormone and then prepareing a hole in the soil and sticking the limb in that. Keep it watered. I would estimate rooting will take the rest of the summer. Generally, cuttings are 4-6 inches long and have all the leaves stripped off of them but the last two or three. One dips the cutting in rooting hormone and then plants the cutting about 1 inch deep in a pot of warm, wet sand or growing medium. The environment is sealed in a clear, plastic bag and kept warm. Rooting can occur quickly or drag out for a year. I hope this helps.
Tom
