The cultivation of barberries, which is suitable for beginners, continues seamlessly during propagation. With your most beautiful sourthorn as the mother plant, you can breed a whole host of vital offspring using the cuttings method. These instructions will take you step by step through the uncomplicated procedure.
How can I propagate barberries through cuttings?
To propagate barberries, cut semi-woody, 10-15 cm long top cuttings, remove all but one or two pairs of leaves, place them in lean growing medium and keep it slightly moist. You can promote root formation with a transparent cover and daily ventilation.
Cutting and preparing barberry cuttings – this is what you should pay attention to
Expert pruning in combination with careful preparation is the secret of success for vigorously rooting cuttings. Therefore, pay particular attention to the first steps in propagation. How to do it right:
- Sharpen knives or scissors and carefully disinfect them
- Put on gloves with long cuffs to protect against the long, sharp thorns
- Cut off semi-woody, non-flowering head cuttings 10 to 15 cm long
- Ideal cutting point: just below an eye, leaf node or bud
In the last step of preparation, please remove all leaves, apart from one or two pairs of leaves at the top of the shoot.
Use cuttings perfectly – this is how it works
In order for barberry cuttings to take root quickly, the substrate must not be too nutrient-rich. Please fill a seed tray or small pots with lean potting soil or herb soil. As a tempting motivation for rapid root growth, place a thin layer of compost on the bottom of the container before filling in the substrate. The offshoots will do their best to send their tender roots through the lean layer to the nutrient buffet.
Spray the growing substrate with water and place the cuttings two thirds of their length into it. A transparent lid or a plastic bag placed over it creates a warm, humid microclimate. Under the influence of the so-called 'tense air', it doesn't take long until fresh shoots appear. The cover can then be removed.
Care tips for Berberis offshoots
Barberry cuttings feel best in a partially shaded, warm place by the window or on the balcony. Please ventilate the cover daily to prevent fungus from spreading. It is important to note that the potting soil is constantly slightly moist. Sourthorn cuttings do not receive fertilizer.
Tip
Please do not dispose of leftover barberry cuttings and other clippings on pastures or horse paddocks. Apart from the berries, all parts of the plant are poisonous. If animals in the garden have access to the compost heap, we recommend disposing of it with household waste.