As a flowering solitaire or as an ornamental hedge image - the hawthorn is a grateful and beneficial addition to the garden. Wanting to multiply it is understandable, but not entirely easy.
What is the best way to propagate hawthorn?
Propagate hawthorn is possible through sowing, grafting and cuttings. The cutting method is promising: cut off a slightly woody shoot in summer, remove leaves and flower heads, and stick it in soil in a bright location.
Restrictions on propagation
The propagation of hawthorn is possible via:
- Sowing
- Refining
- Cutting method
The crux of the breeding background: seed poverty
Since the hawthorn is a cultivated form of the two-handled hawthorn that focuses on the appearance of the flowers, there are a few difficulties in the chapter on propagation. The numerous, double, crimson panicle flowers of Crataegus laevigata 'Paul's Scarlet' are beautiful to look at and also a valuable pasture for bees. But they are also limited in fertility. Their stamens are converted into petals for the sake of appearance, which means that fruits are only rarely formed from them.
The disadvantage for propagation plans: You will only be able to harvest your own seeds with a bit of luck. Of course, if you catch a favorable flowering and pollinating year, you can give it a try. The seeds are stored over the winter and planted in sowing soil in the spring. However, you have to use a lot of patience and perseverance in care until it germinates. It can take several months until the seeds, which are not particularly germinative, produce anything.
Refining only for experienced people
The most effective way to propagate hawthorn is through grafting. However, this is an undertaking that requires professional practice. If you have never done any finishing yourself, you should either get support from someone experienced or hire a professional.
Rotthorns are refined from their breeding ancestor, the hawthorn. So you take a hawthorn as a base and graft a hawthorn cutting behind the bark.
Propagation from cuttings is worth a try
What is definitely not time-consuming and therefore does not involve wasted effort is the cutting method. You only have to pay attention to a few small things and you don't need to invest an excessive amount of time, which would be a shame if the attempt failed.
In the summer, cut off a slightly woody shoot about 15 centimeters long using a diagonal cut and remove both the leaves and all flower heads. In this way you relieve the cutting of all energy-sapping elements and increase the chance of rooting. Place the prepared branch in a planter with soil and keep it moist. Roots can certainly develop in a bright location. Wait until the rooted cutting produces a he althy, strong picture with new shoots before planting.
