A hornbeam can be propagated in several ways. In addition to sowing and digging up cuttings, propagation is also possible via cuttings. However, this process is very complex and takes at least two years. This is how cutting propagation works.
How do I propagate a hornbeam from cuttings?
To propagate a hornbeam from cuttings, cut 20 cm long shoots in spring or August, cut them at the top, cut them diagonally at the bottom, remove the lower leaves and halve the remaining ones. Treat the lower end with rooting powder and place the cutting in potting soil. Make sure there is enough shade and moisture.
How to propagate a hornbeam from cuttings
- Cut 20 cm long cuttings
- Top cuttings
- cut diagonally at the bottom
- remove lower leaves
- halve remaining leaves
- Coat lower end with rooting powder
- put in potting soil
- place in the shade
- keep moist
The best time to take cuttings
The cuttings are best cut in spring or from August. Select semi-woody branches. They are most likely to form new roots.
Take more cuttings than you need. Expect half of the shoots to die.
Cut the cuttings at the top and cut them diagonally at the bottom so that you can see where the top and bottom are. The purpose of halving the leaves is to prevent excessive evaporation of the water. The cutting then also has more power to form new roots.
Place cuttings in potting soil
Hornbeam cuttings do not root very well. That's why it's recommended to coat them below with rooting powder (€9.00 at Amazon) from specialist retailers.
Do not use humus-rich garden soil, but rather lean potting soil. Place the cuttings in a shady spot and keep the soil moist but not too wet.
It takes two years until you can plant the cuttings.
Protect young trees from browsing
If you place the young hornbeams in a free place where wild animals have access, you must protect the trees from browsing.
The young plants are also at risk in the garden from mice that eat the roots. If you have a lot of mice in the garden, plant the hornbeam in a wire mesh.
The weave must be cut open when the tree is large enough and mice can no longer cause much damage.
Tip
The easiest way to get new hornbeams is to dig up cuttings. They are created by self-sowing from the nuts, which can be found up to a kilometer away from the mother tree.
