Boxwood (Buxus spp.) is a popular ornamental shrub with its glossy green foliage and dense, compact growth habit. It is commonly used in formal gardens, hedges, topiaries, and other landscape designs. Propagating boxwoods is a cost-effective way to increase the number of plants in your garden or to replace old or diseased ones. In this article, we will discuss various methods of propagating boxwoods.
Propagation by Cuttings
Propagating boxwoods from cuttings is one of the most common methods growers use because it has high success rates. Here are the steps to propagate through cuttings:
1. Choose healthy stems: Select a healthy branch measuring 3-4 inches long with several leaves on it.
2. Take cuttings: Using sharp pruning shears or a knife, make clean cuts at an angle just below where a leaf connects to the stem.
3. Remove lower leaves: Strip off all but two sets of leaves from the bottom part of each cutting.
4. Prepare rooting medium: Fill a container with water or vermiculite growing media that holds moisture well.
5. Dip end portion in hormone powder: Coat about an inch-long section at the base end with rooting hormone powder.
6. Insert into soil medium: Plant each cutting almost halfway down into damp soil mixtures leaving only two sets of topmost leaves exposed above soil level.
7.Water regularly : Keep them moist for up to four weeks until you see new roots growing out from their bases.
Propagation by Layering
Another reliable method for propagating boxwoods is layering; This involves burying branches underground while they are still attached to their parent plant so that they can develop roots before being removed as separate plants later on.
1.Choose suitable branches : Find suitable branches that lay close enough and touch ground level
2.Roots should be far away : You want it such that the roots will emerge from the buried stem part far away from where it connects to the parent plant.
3.Make a small trench : Cut a shallow trench in the soil and gently bend branches into place so that they touch or are just below ground level
4. Secure them: Use small rocks or U-shaped wire staples to secure branches in place.
5.Wait for new growth: Wait several months until you see new shoots emerging from underground, which indicates successful rooting. Then cut off new plants and transplant as usual.
Propagation by Division
Boxwood can also be propagated through division of existing plants using this method:
1.Choose mature plants : Select an established plant with healthy root systems
2.Loosen soil around base: Carefully dig up the entire plant, trying not to damage its roots too much.
3.Divide carefully : Divide into two or more parts with sharp pruning shears ensuring each portion has some foliage and strong roots intact
4.Replant immediately : Replant each divided section at their original depth with well-draining soil mixes and water thoroughly.
Conclusion
Propagating boxwoods is an easy way to increase your garden’s greenery without spending lots of money on buying more shrubs. With these three methods described above – cuttings, layering, and division- you now have different options to choose what works best for your situation. Boxwoods may take time before they develop enough growths after propagation but once they do, enjoy watching how beautifully they continue transforming your landscape!
