Dare to Try Cuttings 💪
Propagating bonsai from cuttings is a very common and effective technique. Cuttings are young branches or shoots that are cut from a mature tree and planted to create a new tree.
To make cuttings, you should choose young, healthy branches or shoots from the mother tree. It is important to ensure that the cutting has at least two or three buds, as this increases the chances of the cutting taking root. Additionally, you should cut the cutting just below a bud, using clean, sharp pruning shears.
Once the cutting is taken, you should remove the lower leaves, leaving only a few at the top. You can also use a rooting powder to help the cutting take root.
There are several methods for propagating cuttings, such as planting them in soil, water, or a mixture of peat and perlite. It is important to keep the soil moist and cover the cutting with a plastic bag to create a warm, humid environment.
It is important to be patient and not to despair if some of the cuttings do not take root, as this is normal. As the cuttings grow, you should prune and care for them properly so that they become healthy, strong bonsai.
What species can I use for cuttings?
Most species with a woody trunk can be propagated from cuttings, but it is true that some are really difficult to root. A clear example is pines.
Others root almost on their own, like ficus, olives, and acer palmatum.
Which branches root the best?
Generally, young but already woody branches will work well.
We should also look for at least a couple of nodes with their respective leaves.
How should I make the cut?
When cutting from the mother plant, we can make the cut as we see fit, but before placing the cutting in substrate, it would be best to make a diagonal cut so that the maximum surface area comes into contact with the substrate.
In the case of junipers, there is a trick that increases the probability of success, which is to make the final diagonal cut with the cutting submerged in water to prevent air from entering the cut.
When is a good time to take cuttings?
The best time is when the tree is dormant and has energy stored in the branches, ready to sprout in spring. Therefore, late winter or early spring is the best time.
Is it necessary to use rooting hormones?
It is not essential, but it is true that for certain species, it helps a lot.
We can use rooting hormones dissolved in water and leave the cuttings to soak for up to a day. A faster option is to use gel-format hormones like Clonex; in this case, we will only try to wet about a centimeter or so with the product.
What substrate should I use?
We can really use any type of substrate in which we can maintain a degree of moisture for a few weeks. We can use universal substrate, akadama… or even water for specimens that root very easily, like the fig tree.
In the case of junipers, we could even use kanuma during the rooting period and then move them to akadama.