As a rule, the laurel cherry is less inexpensive to purchase. For example, if you want to create an elongated hedge with it, it would be a good idea to use one or more mother plants to propagate further specimens. But how does it work?
How to propagate the laurel cherry?
The laurel cherry can be propagated by three methods: seeds, cuttings and sinkers. Sow ripe fruits in autumn as cold germinators, grow cuttings in late summer or autumn and stick them in the soil, and take the sinkers from the mother plant one after the other and root them.
Propagation via seeds
Some laurel cherry varieties like to propagate by self-sowing. If you want to take the propagation of poisonous seeds into your own hands, you will need patience
For visible success when sowing, take the following instructions seriously:
- Use seeds from ripe fruits
- Cold germinator: e.g. B. sow in the stairwell or on the balcony
- ideal time: autumn
- Keep 10 cm distance between several seeds
- Keep substrate moist
- can take until spring until the first cotyledons become visible
Propagation via cuttings
The laurel cherry can also be propagated using cuttings. For this purpose, half-ripe cuttings are taken in late summer or autumn. These often occur as clippings. Take cut shoots that are approximately 10 cm long.
Step by step:
- remove the bottom leaves
- Place half of the shoot in soil (a mixture of sand and soil is ideal) or a glass of water
- for the glass method: change water regularly to prevent rot
- After 4 to 6 weeks the first roots appear
- Planting out in spring
Propagation via reducers
A third proven method is propagation via lowering plants. To do this, use the branches that are close to the ground. Cut the area where roots will later form halfway with a knife. Dig the shoot into the ground so that the tip is sticking out and weigh it down with a stone or a peg.
After about 8 weeks, the lowering plant can be separated from the mother plant. The young plant should be planted in a pot. Nutrient-rich soil is recommended right from the start to give it a good start in life. The plant goes outdoors after it has developed a strong new shoot and several new leaves.
Tips & Tricks
So that the laurel cherry cutting roots quickly, it is advisable to cut off half of the leaves and the top tip of the shoot.
