🫘 Maple Cuttings Propagation
This is a continuous experiment and learning. YouTube bonsai propagation videos were so encouraging. Many different methods taught, with variations, but always shown as “a sure thing.”
After my first attempts of dozens of cuttings have not proven successful. I have had more success with air layering (harder) and puzzled with cuttings. Either “don’t do the following” or wishing you better success than I have had;
Optimistically shoving hard pruned cuttings (less than a pencil thick) but angle end cut and with hormone placed in soil—no success.
Smaller and greener stem cuttings (same year growth?) with at least 2 internodes—stripping off the lowest pair of leaf stems, where the “foot” exposes cells for propagation in soil or compost. No success. May have been during the wrong season (Nov - Mar).
Same as the last attempt but soil is higher draining sand, sharp cut sand, and inserting cuttings at an angle. Also reducing foliage to reduce demand on transpiration and focus on root development—by leaving only 2 leaves and trimming leaf surface area by a 1/3. Use of powder hormones. No success. May have been during the wrong season (Nov - Mar).
Following a recommendation to preserve humidity by covering with a clear bag, used a thin trash bag that rested too closely to the cuttings. All of my propagation attempts were under full sun for part of the day. The result was cooked cuttings. Death!
Last experiment is in April/May, same as the last cuttings but in small post mixed with sphagnum peat mused with fine pumice, but placed inside of a spacious ziplock bag but placed under the bench or limited sun. Choosing to expose to fresh air in the evening or every other day. So far the plants are looking relatively healthy, no death, and will evaluate if rooted after 4 weeks.
At the end of June, I have not proven much promise from cuttings. Many dried up even with regular watering and indirect sunlight. Will continue to try—no solution yet. 😞
☠️ Very little, if any successful rooting of cuttings. Sad and frustrating, given the humidity control for the first few weeks.
A much earlier experience using sand or fine gravel has shown promise. Have pulled any dead cuttings and inserted 2-3 recent cuttings. Hormones, and lightly watered each day. Kept out of direct sunlight. Will inspect roots at the end of summer, if safe to repot.
Recommendations is to leave them undisturbed for a year before repotting.
