radhatter
Yamadori
Making an attempt at ezo spruce cuttings based on a method shown to me by a member of my bonsai club that said he’s getting 90-95% success.
Every attempt I’ve read about by others has said they’ve gotten low success rates so I thought I’d document the method here and if it ends up being a success, others can try it out too!
This method has a few elements that were new to me. Primarily all the cuttings stay in a clear frosted plastic bin. They are placed on blocks above about an inch of water in the bin. The water continually evaporates and drips down while also raising the humidity in the bin.

Here’s the starting material, cuttings about 1/16” thick. I ended up taking 70 of them. I’ve got them in water while I process them since this takes a while.

The first cut. Using a sharp clean razor blade make a decisive cut on one size exposing the cambium.

Cut number two, short on the other side to remove the thin end, apparently if it’s too thin it molds easily.

Side view… these close shots are hard to get clear but I hope this helps show the technique. After this, dip it in clonex. The rooting powder can work too, but mix it with a little water to make a paste so it sticks better.

I filled this cutting tray with akadama and pumice fines. Great way to use something that normally gets tossed. The key to this step is to use a chopstick to poke the hole for the cuttings at a slight angle. The cutting is then placed in with the long sliced side “down” in the angled hole.

Trays filled and into the bin on wood blocks. The key here is they are raised so you can put some water in the bottom and the water doesn’t touch the bottom of the tray.
Lid on and closed. Check it weekly and inspect closely for mold. Apparently rooting typically takes 6-8 weeks but the care continues in here until the following year. Once they strike they start to get a little time without the lid, a little fertilizer eventually, and next spring they get potted up.
I will update with progress!
Every attempt I’ve read about by others has said they’ve gotten low success rates so I thought I’d document the method here and if it ends up being a success, others can try it out too!
This method has a few elements that were new to me. Primarily all the cuttings stay in a clear frosted plastic bin. They are placed on blocks above about an inch of water in the bin. The water continually evaporates and drips down while also raising the humidity in the bin.

Here’s the starting material, cuttings about 1/16” thick. I ended up taking 70 of them. I’ve got them in water while I process them since this takes a while.

The first cut. Using a sharp clean razor blade make a decisive cut on one size exposing the cambium.

Cut number two, short on the other side to remove the thin end, apparently if it’s too thin it molds easily.

Side view… these close shots are hard to get clear but I hope this helps show the technique. After this, dip it in clonex. The rooting powder can work too, but mix it with a little water to make a paste so it sticks better.

I filled this cutting tray with akadama and pumice fines. Great way to use something that normally gets tossed. The key to this step is to use a chopstick to poke the hole for the cuttings at a slight angle. The cutting is then placed in with the long sliced side “down” in the angled hole.

Trays filled and into the bin on wood blocks. The key here is they are raised so you can put some water in the bottom and the water doesn’t touch the bottom of the tray.
Lid on and closed. Check it weekly and inspect closely for mold. Apparently rooting typically takes 6-8 weeks but the care continues in here until the following year. Once they strike they start to get a little time without the lid, a little fertilizer eventually, and next spring they get potted up.
I will update with progress!