Ezo Spruce cuttings

hemi71cuda

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My friend gave me an ezo spruce this summer because I’d been talking about taking cuttings and trying to propagate more for the future. I’m lucky enough to have started bonsai relatively young(30’s) so this is a project I’ll be able to see through. I recently completed my first attempt and took some pics. I decided to experiment with different soil mediums. I did a tray in miracle grow seedling starting soil, a tray in pure akadama fines, one tray in a mixture of both and one tray in a shohin bonsai mix.

The tree I received was grown by my friend from a cutting 20-25years ago. His “mother” tree was an import.

I contacted Brent from Evergreen Gardenworks for tips. Instructions were to take cuttings mid summer from last years growth. He recommended Hormex #8 rooting hormone which I forgot to procure before doing this. I used the one I had but it’s much weaker. I also found a good deal on an led grow light that I’ll set up in my basement and put them under during winter.

Rooting can take up to a year or more and best case scenario I might get 1 or 2 to take. This will be an annual activity for me and my hope is that in my later years of life I’ll have a good collection of Ezo to pass on to the bonsai community.

Pics of my donor plant and it’s “mother” at the end along with a close up of the tiny foliage. 62A0C4FA-A539-4FBB-A4EC-32F0CE29D6DB.jpeg2D611820-A654-4B9F-94BF-1684BA126B26.jpegF6313351-E586-4382-975D-B7C9B1DAC653.jpegDFEA709D-62CF-4581-86E4-2D9720856EC4.jpegEFF5A17A-E062-4E0E-A2C3-80BCD90784CA.jpeg
 

cmeg1

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Watch leds for cuttings,I had zero success with cuttings under my led,but 100% success with a single t5 over the domes.
Are you using humidity domes?
Ive only ever propagated zelkova
Maybe humidity domes are not good for such long term.
 

hemi71cuda

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Thanks for the tip on LEDs. the light I got has modes for white light, red light or blue light. I may research that more or just put the cuttings in my pseudo-sunroom that I use for trees needing winter protection. I am using the humidity domes that came with the trays. I’m thinking maybe I should punch a hole or two in them to let oxygen in.
 

cmeg1

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Thanks for the tip on LEDs. the light I got has modes for white light, red light or blue light. I may research that more or just put the cuttings in my pseudo-sunroom that I use for trees needing winter protection. I am using the humidity domes that came with the trays. I’m thinking maybe I should punch a hole or two in them to let oxygen in.
Yes long term perhaps some wholes because eventually I think humidity will cause fungus.Could always checj with @Brent again!
 

cmeg1

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I will say almost everyone who does cuttings indoors swear by T5 high output over domes.
Me included
 

PABonsai

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I was going to ask if you had any issues with fungus. I have been trying Cherry cuttings all summer and being in the plastic bags they always get white fungus on them after a week or so. This last time around @0soyoung suggested 2 tablespoons of peroxide in a quart of water every 3 days or so will get rid of it. I've only sprayed once so I can't verify yet if it works.
 

penumbra

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I will say almost everyone who does cuttings indoors swear by T5 high output over domes.
Me included
Interesting. That explains some of the issues I have had.
 

cmeg1

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I was going to ask if you had any issues with fungus. I have been trying Cherry cuttings all summer and being in the plastic bags they always get white fungus on them after a week or so. This last time around @0soyoung suggested 2 tablespoons of peroxide in a quart of water every 3 days or so will get rid of it. I've only sprayed once so I can't verify yet if it works.
I may try the hydrogen peroxide,though the year I did 50 cuttings with a t5 ,dome and thermostat heat mat I had no issues.Used Hormex powder.
Made cuttings all season and rooted within two weeks.
Recently got a 4’ t5 and two domes along with my themosrated heat matt to try and emulate the succes I had with the Super Sprouter.
 

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PABonsai

Chumono
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I may try the hydrogen peroxide,though the year I did 50 cuttings with a t5 ,dome and thermostat heat mat I had no issues.Used Hormex powder.
Made cuttings all season and rooted within two weeks.
Recently got a 4’ t5 and two domes along with my themosrated heat matt to try and emulate the succes I had with the Super Sprouter.
Yeah, I am not so fancy. I've just been using 4" pots in a large 2.5 gallon zip loc bag. I've been using a variety of media hoping for success.
 
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I was going to ask if you had any issues with fungus. I have been trying Cherry cuttings all summer and being in the plastic bags they always get white fungus on them after a week or so. This last time around @0soyoung suggested 2 tablespoons of peroxide in a quart of water every 3 days or so will get rid of it. I've only sprayed once so I can't verify yet if it works.

I use clear plastic pop bottles to form the "greenhouse" overly cuttings. Cut the bottom off and stick into the soil over the cutting. Leave the cap off. The heating pad creates enough warmth to keep the area inside the bottle humid.The open cap allows enough air flow to prevent fungus. Works for me. Might be worth a shot trying.
 

Brian Van Fleet

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Hope you’re patient. Mine took 2.5 years, and just 13% success rate:
Totally worth it, Ezo Spruce is an excellent species. Wish it did better here.
 
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