If you have time and patience, you can grow a gingko tree yourself from a cutting. However, for this you need shoots from a he althy and strong plant. Cut several offshoots at once, the success rate is low.
How do you successfully grow a ginkgo cutting?
To successfully grow a ginkgo offshoot, cut off shoots just before they become woody, remove the lower leaf, shorten the tip, dip the lower end in rooting powder and stick it in growing substrate. Keep the cutting evenly moist and in a warm, bright place.
When and how are the offshoots cut?
Ideally, you cut your offshoots when the shoots slowly begin to turn woody. You can recognize this by the brownish discoloration. This usually happens in June or July. If the shoots are too soft, they rot easily; if they are too hard, they root poorly.
Cut the selected shoots about 20 to 30 centimeters long just below a node or leaf base and remove the lowest leaf. At the top, cut the shoot back so far that only the solid shoot with two to three leaves remains. It should now be around eight to ten centimeters long.
How are the offshoots cared for?
Even under good growing conditions, only around 30 percent of the cut cuttings root. Use a special growing substrate or a mixture of peat and sand. Before you insert the cuttings, treat the lower cut surface with rooting powder (€8.00 on Amazon). Then place the cultivation pots in a warm, bright place without direct sunlight.
Now keep your cuttings evenly moist; a plastic film or cover can be helpful. It reduces the evaporation of moisture, but must not touch the cuttings under any circumstances. Be sure to air your cuttings regularly, otherwise they will easily start to rot or mold. In their first winter, young ginkgos are not yet hardy.
The most important things in brief:
- Cut shoots just before woodiness just below a node
- remove bottom sheet
- cut off soft tip
- 2 – Leave 3 sheets
- dip lower end in rooting powder
- Place cuttings in growing substrate
- place in a warm, bright place
- keep evenly moist
Tip
Consistent heat and moisture and protection from mold and rot are important for the successful rooting of your offshoots.
