1 1/4 inch arborvitae cutting

[october]

Back around last May, I was working on a large, rough stock arborvitae. During the work, I figured I would also take a cutting from the tree. I wanted to test what the thickest a cutting could be and still survive. Here is the cutting. It is currently 1 1/4 inches. It has probably thickened up a little bit in the last 8 months. However, I think we can safely say that we can now get 1 inch or possibly greater cuttings from arbs.

Rob

 

[Bill S]

Anything special you did or routine hormone dip and plant(what medium)?
This would make it easier to get a trunk on these rather than try to find one.

 

[october]

Hello Bill.. I did use a root hormone powder for this. I can't remember the brand. It was an old container that I had lying around from about 5 -6 years ago. As far as the medium. It is just the general conifer soil they sell at Ne Bonsai. Not their premium blend. I believe this one consists of turface, course river sand and bark.

A couple of things I would like to mention is that I think I cut the end with a slight slant. Then I scaped a little bit of the bark off all the way around the cut. I also need to mention that this cutting was kept in an area that was a constant 78-85 degrees F. Also, I believe I misted it probably about 3-5 times a day, everyday.

Rob

 

[amkhalid]

Back around last May, I was working on a large, rough stock arborvitae. During the work, I figured I would also take a cutting from the tree. I wanted to test what the thickest a cutting could be and still survive. Here is the cutting. It is currently 1 1/4 inches. It has probably thickened up a little bit in the last 8 months. However, I think we can safely say that we can now get 1 inch or possibly greater cuttings from arbs.

Rob

Thank you for sharing this! Definitely never heard of anyone trying larger Arby cuttings. Although I can't say I'm surprised... they have outstanding root characteristics for a conifer. Super easy to layer as well.

 

[october]

Hello amkhalid.. I am wondering how much larger a cutting could be and still take. I think, many years ago, I heard of some very large maple cuttings. Far larger than this arby. However, I don't remember ever seeing the actual results.

Rob

 

[Bill S]

Thanks Rob, any thought to grafting on shimpaku now?

 

[october]

Hello Bill... I have not really done any grafting on junipers. This is an arborvitae, but I would imagine grafting would be very similar with this species. Fortunately, I have not had a strong need for grafting. However, I do hope to practice the techniques at some point.

Rob