Golden privet can also be easily propagated in the home garden by a hobby gardener. For example, to extend an existing hedge. The large golden privets that are already in the garden readily provide the necessary plant material. We provide the instructions.
How to propagate golden privet?
There are three methods to propagate golden privet: cutting propagation, cutting wood propagation and propagation by sinkers. The best time for cuttings is spring, while cuttings should be cut in late summer. Lowerers are suitable if the mother plant has long, flexible shoots.
The three methods
Golden privet is propagated vegetatively. In order for new plants to emerge, the old plant has to give up a piece of itself. Depending on which plant parts are used, a distinction is made between the following propagation methods:
- Propagation of cuttings
- Cuttings propagation
- Propagation with sinkers
Note:Golden privet can theoretically also be grown from seeds of its fruits. However, this type of propagation has proven to be lengthy and time-consuming in practice, which is why it is rarely practiced.
Time
Cuttings are cut from a plant in its dormant phase. For golden privet, the ideal time is in late summer, after the last fertilization has taken place.
Spring has proven to be the best time for propagation from cuttings. Since cutting takes place at the end of February/beginning of March anyway, the resulting cutting material can be used. Summer pruning in June is also suitable for obtaining cuttings.
Propagation of cuttings
- cut young shoots of at least 20 cm
- remove lower leaves
- cut the shoot tips
- root in a glass of water
- or plant in a pot
- only 5 cm should still be visible
- keep moist throughout
- plant in autumn
Tip
Put a translucent plastic bag (€42.00 on Amazon) over each cutting to increase the humidity. However, you should ventilate these regularly.
Cuttings propagation
- Cut cuttings from strong and he althy shoots
- they should be well woody
- remove all leaves
- Cut off the shoot tip
- each cutting wood should be at least 15 cm long, preferably longer
- there must be several leaf buds on it
- Stick the cuttings several cm deep into the garden soil
- Keep soil moderately moist at all times
Tip
If you live in an area where the winters are very harsh, you should plant a few more cuttings to compensate for losses. You can also put them in prepared pots, overwinter indoors and plant them out in spring.
Propagation by reducers
If the mother plant has long, flexible shoots that lie close to the ground, propagation is easy using planters:
- Carefully score the shoot with a knife
- lay flat on the floor
- cover the scratched area with soil
- The shoot tip must look out of the ground
- If necessary, attach the shoot to the ground with a stone or tent peg
- water regularly
- separate from mother plant after new growth
