The Japanese dragon willow, often called Amur willow (bot. Salix udensis Sekka) is one of the rather rare ornamental trees in our home gardens. That's actually a shame, because it is very attractive and an excellent pasture for bees and insects.
How do you propagate a dragon willow?
To propagate a dragon willow, you should cut 20 cm long sticks from woody shoots and stick them in a soil-sand mixture or place them in water until roots appear. Higher temperatures accelerate rooting, and after the tip is cut, the plant develops several shoots.
Is it possible to sow the dragon willow?
The dragon willow usually grows as a shrub or small tree. Like other willows, it bears velvety flowers, the pussy willows, in spring. Their pollen serves as an important food source for insects and bees. However, sowing dragon willows is not possible.
How do I multiply the dragon willow?
Dragon willow is propagated with the help of so-called cuttings. These are woody pieces of shoots without leaves from the previous year. Cuttings (leaved and half-woody shoots) are just as unsuitable as older shoots that have difficulty rooting. Ideally, you cut your cuttings in autumn or winter during the vegetation break. At this time you can do the regular pruning.
Propagation through cuttings
Cut a few cuttings about 20 centimeters long from leafless, already woody shoots. You are welcome to use the clippings from the winter pruning. Your cuttings should have four to five eyes (buds). Mix equal parts sand and regular garden soil.
Now stick the wood so deep into the soil and sand mixture that only the top bud is visible. All others are in the substrate. The roots of your dragon willow should develop from these eyes. Alternatively, you can place your cuttings in a container with water until the first tender roots have formed.
The higher the ambient temperatures, the faster your cuttings will root. If you cut off the tip directly above the top eye, the dragon willow will produce several shoots and will have a beautiful shape right from the start.
The most important things in brief:
- Cut 20 cm long sticks
- Ideally prune wood on both sides, this promotes the formation of shoots
- Make sure to insert the cuttings into the ground the right way up
- higher temperatures ensure faster rooting
Tip
In a very mild winter, you can also let your cuttings root directly in the garden. It then takes a little longer until the first roots form.
