Stabilizing Some Pottings

Applicable to some repotting in nursery pots or where plant height is tall, relative to the limited root ball. Some redwoods are known to grow roots on hardwood cuttings, if motion to the trunk is prevented—but having no root ball to wire down. Guy wires are attempted, but for additional stabilization—try this. Also useful for transplanted trees where the roots are limited and foliage a height above the base—leaving long until back budding is created lower.

From a redwood project that was over 10 ft tall, and had to choose to air-layer or chop the top half. SBBK club member, Dustin H, shared how well hardwood cuttings grow roots. Just place it into potting soil, no bag, and it will grow.

I tried this with mixed results. Mostly kept outdoors, misted morning and late afternoon. Some browned after five months, others are still green but awaiting signs of new growrh.

The larger diameter trunk was pitted in a grow box and stabilized by guy wires to the box. That is responding well at five months.

The top, narrow apex was placed in a 1 gallon pot and roughly wired to the pot—but such a long lever was not so stable in the soil.

I saw an image online where young pines were stabilized by pinching between a pair of chopsticks that were wired to the rim of the collander or pot. Movement will prevent root growth, but not always able to wire to soft or flimsy pots.

In the case of hardwood cuttings that are too heavy, less stable pot, and lack of roots to restrain—the chopstick frame seemed practical. See below.

I will do this for other trees with under-developed roots.

Also adding the use of a heat mat, starting after 5 months.

[report back later]