Hi all, I haven't seen a question about this. I'm trying to grow new starts for a floss silk tree that was given to me. I heard I can't start new trees from cutting, but I cut off three trunks, leaving the main one I wanted to keep, to try to bonzi. I put the trunks in pots with soil and have kept them moist , and after three weeks I am starting to see sprouting on the trunks, so I'm hoping I'll be able to share the new trees if they continue to grow. Has anybody had experience with doing this? I am wondering how long to leave them in the pots until they can be transplanted into the ground, or any other advice. Thank you.
It depends on how fast new roots will grow, how large container you use and how careful you are with your potted plants. If the container size is proportional to the plant, then there is no rush to plant rooted cuttings to the ground. Often you can have more control over growing conditions, when the plant is potted for longer period. But in the ground it can be more tolerant to some neglect. I often use smaller (still not too small) container, when rooting cuttings. And will repot or plant into the ground as soon as the root tip is visible from the drainage hole.
First you have to see if the sprouts hold up or if they collapse and shrivel after a time - unless it's found out later this method can work with this particular species it's possible the pieces are making a little bit of ultimately doomed top growth without also producing roots.
Oh o.k. Well I'll keep caring for them and hopefully they'll sprout some roots as well. I'll keep an eye on the holes at the bottom of the containers for root sings.
