Do you want a boxwood hedge or border, but don't want to spend so much money on young plants? With just one he althy mother plant, many new box trees can be grown using cuttings - you just need a little patience. This is how it works.
How to propagate boxwood by cuttings?
Boxwood can be easily grown by propagating cuttings: tear off strong shoots in summer, defoliate the lower third, dip them in rooting powder, plant them in the garden bed and keep them moist. Rooting takes several months, new shoots appear the following year.
How do you propagate boxwood from cuttings?
The easiest way to propagate box is by cuttings, which root particularly quickly and can be planted directly in the garden bed:
- About two-year-old, strong shoots are used
- about 10 to 15 centimeters long
- Tear off shoots (do not cut!) so that the branch remains on the crack
- Pluck leaves in the lower third
- Dip the crack end first in water, then in rooting powder (€8.00 on Amazon)
- plant directly into prepared garden bed
- lower third should be in the ground
- Amend the soil well with compost beforehand
- keep moist, but not too wet
In winter it makes sense to cover it with fir branches. Alternatively, you can also cut cuttings, but these should then be rooted in a pot on the windowsill.
When is the best time to propagate cuttings?
Boxwood is best propagated in summer through cuttings, as the shoots are already well matured at this point and can therefore better stand up to possible pathogens or pests. It is also warm enough for the young plants to develop well. But be careful: especially in the heat of summer, make sure that the soil does not dry out: until the roots develop and the cuttings do not dry out, they need sufficient moisture.
How long does it take for the cuttings to form roots?
When propagating boxwood, you need one thing above all: a lot of patience. Because the trees grow so slowly, they take several months to root. The first new shoots will most likely not appear until the following year, as the cuttings first develop roots and only then develop above-ground growth.
When can the young boxwoods be transplanted?
If you have planted the cuttings in the bed straight away, transplanting them is not necessary. However, make sure to choose a location with partial shade rather than full sun so that the young plants do not dry out.
Cuttings rooted in pots or in the greenhouse should only be transplanted when the first new shoots develop. Only at this point are the young roots strong enough to survive such a measure. This is usually not the case until the following spring, although you can transplant the young boxwood trees until late summer.
Can boxwood also be propagated by division?
In fact, the bushy growing box can also be propagated by division. To do this, dig up the relevant plant and divide its rhizome once or several times (depending on size) with a spade. Then plant the individual pieces separately and water them well. A good portion of compost and horn shavings are also a must to aid growth.
Tip
Can you grow boxwood from seeds?
Boxwood can bloom and also produce seeds. However, growing from seeds is quite complex for laypeople and takes a lot of time. Vegetative propagation from cuttings is considered more promising and also shows quicker results.
