When a large Kolkwitzia is covered in numerous flowers in spring, it is an impressive sight. No wonder the Chinese shrub is in such demand. If a specimen is already there, new plants can be easily grown.
How can you propagate a Kolkwitzia?
A Kolkwitzia can be successfully propagated using cuttings, cuttings or planters. Cuttings require annual shoots in winter, while cuttings require semi-lignified shoots in June. Sinkers form roots by bringing flexible branches into contact with the ground in early summer.
Choose between alternatives
Flowering plants produce seeds that are used for reproduction. This type of propagation is also possible for the Kolkwitze, popularly known as the mother-of-pearl bush, but it is time-consuming in a private garden and not particularly promising. Offer a better chance of success:
- Cuttings
- Cuttings
- Lowers
Propagate mother-of-pearl bush with cuttings
Cuttings are leafless, woody shoots that are cut in winter. To propagate, they are then placed about two-thirds deep in prepared pots with potting soil. Please note the following points to ensure rooting works.
- annual shoots are ideal
- cut in February on a frost-free day.
- each cutting stick should be 15 to 20 cm long
- there should be several buds on it
- Remove upper leaf nodes for faster root formation
- Keep the pot warm, but not too bright
- on a not sunny windowsill
- alternatively protected outdoors
- Keep substrate slightly moist
- water outdoors only on frost-free days
- plant out when above-ground shoots are visible
Tip
In order for the cutting to take root, you must insert it into the ground the right way up. To avoid confusion, when cutting, you can mark the cuttings accordingly by cutting the bottom end at an angle and the top end straight.
Growing young plants from cuttings
All Kolkwitze varieties that can be found in our latitudes can be propagated in June using semi-lignified cuttings 15 to 20 cm long. For example, to create a long Kolkwitzie hedge.
- remove leaves in the lower part
- also any flowers that may be present
- there should be leaf nodes in the upper part
- can be recognized by thickenings
- Half stuck in pot with potting soil
- warm, but not too bright
- keep moderately moist
- Put a transparent bag over it (ventilate occasionally!)
After just one month, the cutting will have developed well enough to be planted out. In the garden, with goodcare, it can quickly develop into a meeting place for bees.
Rooting sinkers
With its long, downward-curving branches, the Kolkwitze is ideal for this propagation method. The mother plant should be he althy and strong. Start propagation in early summer, with a young, flexible branch, ideally located in the lower part of the bush.
- pull the branch to the ground
- Mark contact point with floor
- Loose up the soil and dig a 10 cm deep trench
- Remove the leaves from the branch, lightly score it several times with a knife
- Pull the sinker down into the gutter and cover with earth
- But the lace has to look out
- then weigh it down with stones
Now it's time to wait for above-ground growth as a signal that the rooting has been successful. You can then carefully dig up the young plant and transplant it to the desired location.
