The willow is one of the few woody plants that can be easily and successfully propagated with shoots. This property enables the garden to be greened quickly because the freshly grown young plants produce new material for cuttings in the first year.
How to successfully plant willow branches?
In order to successfully plant willow branches, you should first let them root in fresh water. Then loosen the soil at the desired location, enrich it with compost and stick the rooted branches directly into the soil. Regular watering is important for the growth of willow branches.
Cut cuttings
Willow branches can be rooted successfully between June and July, as the mild climate provides optimal growth conditions. Take cuttings from the desired tree. Select shoots whose bark is already slightly woody. Thin branches are suitable for creating bed borders and hedges. For this purpose you can shorten the branches to 25 to 30 centimeters.
If you want to grow a standard tree, choose thicker branches with a length of 80 centimeters. Perennial shoots may also be used, as root formation is very successful in willow. Please note that the Sal willow (Salix caprea) is protected and you can therefore take cuttings from trees in nature.
Planting cuttings
Place the cut branches in a vase with fresh water. Change this about every three days to prevent germs from developing. After just a few days you can plant the willow branches in the desired location in the garden.
How to do it right:
- Loosen the soil well and enrich it with compost
- Place the rooted willow branch directly into the ground
- Make sure you water regularly
Tip
Willow water contains the growth hormone auxin. It supports cuttings in root formation.
Weaving willow
If the branches are still flexible, they can be used to make wicker weaves. If the shoots have lost their flexibility, place them completely in a water bath for some time. A wire (€66.00 at Amazon) helps so that the curved shoots stay in their shape.
Care
The first cut is carried out in the year of planting and can be carried out between October and March of the following year. If you want, you can use the rods again to propagate cuttings. In the first two years, the young pasture attaches great importance to an adequate supply of nutrients and regular irrigation. If it has grown well in the location, it hardly needs any attention. Their roots are able to penetrate deeper into the soil.
