Easily propagate elderberries with cuttings

Easily propagate elderberries with cuttings

In the summer, elderberry cuttings are very popular

During the summer the elder is at the zenith of its vitality. Anyone who takes the time to propagate the cuttings now receives excellent starting material. The optimal offshoot is half lignified, 10-15 centimeters long and has several leaf nodes. These sleeping eyes are easy to recognize as small bumps under the bark. Once you have selected all the cuttings, it continues as follows:

  • fill small pots with peat sand, perlite, coconut or potting soil (the main thing is low in nutrients)
  • defoliate each cutting in the lower half
  • Halve the leaves on the top half to save energy
  • Remove flowers and buds
  • Insert 1-2 cuttings each so that at least 1 sleeping eye is above the substrate
  • After pouring, put a plastic bag over it or put it in the mini greenhouse (€ 6.96 at Amazon *)

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The location is warm and protected without the cuttings getting under the blazing sun. While the rooting is taking place, the potting soil must never dry out. Contact between the hood and the runners is prevented by small wooden sticks that act as spacers. Propagation is successful when the young plants sprout fresh. The elderberries will be planted out next spring.

Cuttings - the winter alternative to cuttings

The reproduction of elderberry is less complicated during the winter dormant vegetation. In this variant, woody, annual elder branches are used. They have long since shed their leaves, but still have several sleeping eyes. Since polarity is important here, cut the shoot tip straight and the lower end diagonally. So it goes on:

  • Cut each log to a length of 15-20 centimeters
  • Place three quarters in pots filled with moist peat sand or sand
  • the end of the branch, cut at an angle, points downwards

The cuttings are not watered or fertilized until the first shoots appear. The location is cool and dark to partially shaded. Only when the first leaflets appear do you start with a restrained water supply and place the offspring lighter and warmer. Until autumn, repot the young plants repeatedly in nutrient-rich substrate and then plant them out.

Tips & Tricks

Use willow water with natural growth hormones as irrigation water during propagation. Simply cut annual willow twigs into pieces, pour boiling water over them and let stand for 24 hours. Then sieve and use to moisten the substrate.