Hornbeams can be propagated in various ways. However, you will need a lot of patience if you want to grow a hornbeam in this way. What you need to know about hornbeam propagation.
How to propagate a hornbeam?
Hornbeams can be propagated by sowing nuts, cutting cuttings, lowering shoots or digging up cuttings. However, propagation requires patience as it can take up to two years for the plants to grow successfully.
You can propagate hornbeams with these methods
- Sowing nuts
- Cut cuttings
- Lower shoots
- Dig up cuttings
Sowing hornbeams
The hornbeam nuts are ripe in September and October. They are pressed into moist soil as soon as possible. However, they are often found and eaten there by squirrels and mice.
You can also put the fruits in the fridge for some time to stratify them. Then sow them in small pots that you place outdoors.
It takes up to two years for the nuts to germinate.
How to take cuttings
Cut cuttings before sprouting in spring or late summer. They need semi-woody shoots about ten centimeters long.
Halve larger leaves and place the cuttings in pots with moist potting soil. The pots go in a shady place and must always be kept moist but not wet.
After two years, the new trees can be planted out. However, not every cutting will develop roots at all.
Lower shoots
With a low hornbeam, propagation by lowering it also works. A shoot is scored several times and bent onto the ground. It is covered with earth at the scratched areas and fixed well.
The following year you can see whether new shoots are sticking out of the soil. You can separate these and plant them in the desired location or in individual pots.
The easiest method: dig up cuttings
Almost all methods of propagation are very time-consuming. It can take more than two years before the first successes can be seen. It's easier to dig up cuttings.
Free-standing hornbeams sow themselves. If you see young plants near the hornbeam, just dig them up and put them in the garden.
Tip
A hornbeam can also be propagated using moss. This form of propagation is particularly used to obtain hornbeams for bonsai cultivation.
