how to root evergreens?

How do I root evergreens? Boxwood, etc?

Kathy

I root english boxwood by making cuttings in July. I typically take a couple of branches from the back of the parent plant in areas that are not noticeable and cut them into 4 to 6 inch cuttings.

I then remove all of the leaves except for the top 5 or 6 and put them in a damp sterile starting mix (just peat and perlite or sand). I have seen no appreciable difference in using rooting hormone in any of my trials. I also have not seen a difference between hardwood and softwood cuttings. Most are hardwood anyway.

I cover the pot with some polycarbonate from an old greenhouse (I'm sure saran wrap would do fine) and leave it for 6 weeks in the shade. From 6 to 9 weeks, I usually get about 90% strike rate and re-pot them.

Before it gets cold, I pack the pots in mulch and leave them over the winter (after October, I do not water - boxwood do not like wet roots in the winter, or that has been my findings.)

Come Spring, I re-pot them and put them in full sun and keep them moderately watered.

By the next Spring, I have a good bunch of boxwood ready to go into the ground.

This same strategy works with Camelia. With cryptomeria/arborvitae/cypress/holly, I take the cuttings in March and have a mediochre strike rate (more around 60% for these.)

Excellent! I'm going to try it today.

Glad to hear from another VA person. I work at Va Tech. Are you looking for any trades?

Kathy