Propagating Thuja occidentalis 'Malonyana Aurea' now?

Hi all,
Someone vandalized my T. o. 'Malonyana Aurea' by making a cut in the stem and then pulling the top down to split the trunk. The plant was only about 4.5' tall and I lost the top 2.5' of the plant.

I have made cuttings and put them down, but I am doubtful as to the successfulness of getting the cuttings to root at this of year. Someone I spoke to suggested that I put some of the cuttings outside for the winter and that the cuttings should root next spring. I treated all of the cuttings with Hormex # 8 rooting hormone.

Half of the cuttings will be kept in the house under fluorescent lights and the other cuttings will be put outside for the winter.

Any thoughts as to how much success I may have in getting either batch of these cuttings to root? I was going to propagate this plant this winter, anyway, but just not quite to this extent. I am hoping that the portion of the plant left in the ground will recover.

I have some trashy neighbors that I think may have done this, but I can't prove it.
Thanks for any thoughts...
Mike


This message was edited Sep 11, 2006 12:02 PM

I dunno about the cuttings, but my condolences on your choice of neighbors.

Guy S.

Thanks, Guy.

Had I known about the neighbors prior to buying the house, I would not have purchased this house. Too late now, however...

Well, I'll just have to wait and see what happens with the cuttings... at this point, I don't have a choice.
Thanks again,
Mike

I'm bummed 4 ya. Still got that cutting you gave me, and acquired another plant (1 foot tall now) - so you're still hooked up no matter what if you drop me a note.

The wood hasn't completely hardened off yet, so you'll be working with cuttings that aren't ready, unfortunately. Another 2 weeks or more and you'd be in better shape propagation-wise.

What have you got to lose though.

You could always buy yourself a cheap arb - and graft a huge chunk this winter - that's another option. A cheap 'Smargd' at a home improvement store on fall discount is all you need to do the trick.

Let me know if I can help in any way possible. Heck, I'll buy a cheapie if you send me a large branch in December/January, however, you'll need to let me know now.

Best,

Dax

Thuja in general root so easily, I don't think you will have a problem. I take summer cuttings, and have even done mid March cuttings in Chigago, and they root pretty well. It just takes longer.

Yeah me too, hope it comes back for you Mike.
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Web cameras can even be used to record on the hard drive of a computer.
Harbor Freight Tools even sells a black and white system (minus the monitor) for $29, color for $39.
Will

Thanks all...

I'm just worried because the plant is going into its dormant period instead of coming out of dormancy. I don't have any choice and the damage is done and the cuttings have been put down, but I have my doubts as to whether I'll have any success getting any of the cuttings to root. I have no problem rooting Thuja from dormant cuttings taken Dec. through the end of February, but I have never tried rooting cuttings this late in the summer/early fall. I'll keep you posted...

Thanks again for the encouragement.

Will,
If anything else gets damaged, I'll look into a security system.
Thanks,
Mike

Good luck Mike (now)!

Later.