Once a single corkscrew willow is thriving in your garden, you have access to numerous cuttings to use for propagation. You can save yourself the trouble of buying young plants because every branch has the potential for a magnificent Salix matsudana. You can find out how to grow additional specimens from cuttings and planters here.
How do I propagate a corkscrew willow with cuttings?
Corkscrew willows can be propagated by cuttings or suckers. To do this, cut half-woody shoots in summer and plant them in potting soil. In the lowering method, a flexible branch is pressed down in early summer, fixed in the ground and later separated when roots have formed.
Cut and plant cuttings correctly – How to do it right
If a corkscrew willow is full of sap, this is the ideal time for cutting cuttings. To do this, select non-flowering and half-woody shoots in summer, which you cut off below a leaf node with a length of 20 cm. In the lower part, all leaves are removed and the interface is dipped in rooting powder (€9.00 on Amazon). This is how you plant and care for the offshoots correctly:
- Fill a pot with potting soil or a mix of garden soil and sand
- Plant the cutting with the leafless part of the shoot in it
- Water and place in a partially shaded, warm location
To prevent a cutting from drying out until it has roots, place a transparent hood over the growing container. If you use a plastic bag, 2 to 3 wooden sticks act as spacers. If a cutting sprouts fresh, the cover can be removed. As soon as a strong root system has developed, plant out the young corkscrew willow.
How to breed successfully with lowering dogs
The simplest possible way to use offshoots is to use the sinkers. To do this, select a supple branch in early summer and pull it to the ground. Where the shoot touches the soil, dig a 10-15 cm deep depression. Dig in the leafless center piece and secure it with staples, tent pegs or stones. The shoot tip is fixed to a wooden stick.
In the period that follows, the mother plant continues to supply the sinker with nutrients. If the soil dries out, water with a fine spray without exposing the buried branch area. Once a strong root system has formed, cut off the sinker and dig out the root ball.
Tip
With its winding branches and distinctive catkins, the corkscrew willow is perfect for the family garden. Since the shrub does not contain any toxic components, it can be safely grown within the reach of children and pets.
