Tropicals & Tender Perennials: Question about a "sucker", 0 by Kell

Kell wrote:
Hi Donna. I wait till my suckers are as tall as I want them. Usually at least 8 ft tall. Then I clip them off at the base. I first take the Y down to 1 or 2 Ys left, clipping the crown. Then I take off all the leaves except the ones at the very tips. I put it immediately in a 5 gallon pot. I make sure the stem is way down in the pot so it will put out a good root system along a good length of tree trunk. I then put this in total shade. I usually lean it against another tree so it stands up straight. I leave it like this for a month at least. By then, I usually see new growth from the growth tips.

Even if the top wilts, it should stand backup when it starts to root. If it wilts badly, I put a big, damp plastic bag over the top and secure it tightly. But I usually do not leave enough on the top to wilt. I don't water this pot until the soil is dry. You will rot it if you keep it too wet. If I must do something, I spray water on the top during the day.

Here is the top of one I did last fall and it rooted over the winter. This is the top of it if you can make it out. . It stands about 8 feet.

GOOD LUCK!!