I need advice on propagating Cryptomeria japonica 'Yoshino' by stem cuttings. Timing? IBA? Length of cutting? Wounding? and any other pertainant information. Thanks for your help.
"Cuttings,5 to 15 cm (2 to 6 inches) longshould be taken from greenwood at a stage of maturity at which they break with a snap when bent. Root with bottom heat; keep the cuttings shaded and cool. After the roots begin to form, in about two weeks, give mor light, transplant to pots when roots are about 13mm (1/2 inch) long. Stem cuttings of C. japonica 'Yoshino' can be rooted year round. " from Hartmann & Kester's "Plant Propagation Principles and Practices" Ralph
I have Hartmann's book, but the information is old. He doesn't mention the use of auxins, the juvenile effect, etc. There was a paper on the subject presented at a Int. Propagation Soc. meeting. Two of the authors were Frank Blazich and the late J.C. Raulston. I don't have access to the paper. So I'd be delighted if someone could find it on line or a source for it.
Thanks. I found it. "SNA RESEARCH CONFERENCE - VOL. 38-1993" Effects of Growth Stage, Branch Position and IBA Concentration on Rooting Stem Cuttings of ‘Yoshino' Cryptomeria Laura G. Jull, Stuart L. Warren,Frank A. Blazich, and J. C. Raulston North Carolina The conclusions of these experiments are: " ‘Yoshino' Cryptomeria can be easily propagated vegetatively by rooting stem cuttings. Although, cuttings can be rooted at any time of the year (growth stage), % rooting exceeding 80% can be achieved by taking hardwood cuttings in January consisting of second-order laterals and the proximal half of second-order laterals treated with 3000 to 9000ppm IBA." Which is what I was looking for. It updates Hartmann's information significantly.
Following the advice in the Blazich/Raulston paper, I took cuttings in early February. So far, so good. They're staying nice and green in the plastic tents. Hopefully there will be roots soon.
Well, so much for the proposed method. The yield was only 25%. I think I'll try propagating in the fall.