holly

Went to the cemetery today to see about graves and they had cut down two mature holly trees today. I took some newer growth branches. Can someone tell me if Holly roots by cuttings this time of year and how? I dont have a greenhouse Thanks Shirley

Hello marclay - usually propagated by seed, budding and layering. I think you might be trying nature too much with cuttings from your branches. If I were to give it a go I would take the very tips at about 5cm in length cut across at a leaf/stem joint and place them in a tray or pot of sandy soil placed under glass and making sure not to let them dry out. Perhaps a closed case on the glasshouse staging would help. Alternative to a glasshouse would be a cold frame.

Peter.

Thanks Peter I can put them in a coldframe. Shirley

Bufordi holly was one of the things I helped make thousands of stem cuttings from in college. We took about 4-5" tips, stripped the leaves back to just about two sets at the tip, dipped the stem in Rootone, then inserted it into a hole made with a dibble in medium sand. We kept them in a shaded end of the greenhouse, because it was easier, but in Louisiana and in early summer or maybe late spring, it wasn't necessary that they be in a greenhouse. We watered them all as soon as they were inserted into the sand, and my job was to water them once or twice a day, misting quite heavily over them instead of directly into the sand. I have since rooted holly and other shrubs by doing everything like we did then, except for the greenhouse. I put them on trays and set them under plastic supported by a chair on each end. The moisture collects on the plastic, then drips onto the cuttings. I water once a day in hot weather, and open one side of the plastic to air things out to help prevent fungus growth. This plastic setup is the same thing I use to winter over some tender plants, with the addition of a single light bulb. It's a tiny greenhouse!

Nice explanation Aimee. I don't think Shirley will go wrong to follow your advice.

Peter.

Thanks Peter and Aimee Appreciate your help Shirley

Shirley I was looking for a good site for you and then I see that others have already given you great advice but just in case you need more, here is the site that I found!!

http://www.botany.com/ilex.html

Thanks Margaret

Thanks Aimee!

Shirley, just wondering how your holly is doing! Any sign of rooting yet?