Rooting elderberry cuttings.

16 years ago

Ok so I recently got some 'John's' rooted elderberry cuttings from a trade. Came in pretty good shape and in great quantity.

And I'm pretty sure they are hard wood cuttings. Anyways heres what they look like:

The cuttings are about 7in tall, and theyre all growing like that on the bottom.

This is the first time I've ever done anything with rooting cuttings (besides mint, but that a piece of cake) and am a bit confused with whats grown out of this cutting so far.

Does anyone see the long white growth going up? Is that a root? or the new plant growth? Cause I just kinda figured it would branch out on the top of the cutting. But it kinda looks a bud broke on the cutting and that but is growing both roots downward as well as the new green growth upwards.

Help me out with this? Thanks.

Heres what I did with the cuttings: Is this right?

There in a sand peat mix I think? Anyways, it drains good.

Also, this is unrelated to anything above. I have a wild elderberry growing around my home. And am trying to root softwood cuttings in water as someone told me its possible. Heres what they look like so far:

All that new growth coming out of the nodes is new obviously. But I havent seen any roots coming out of the bottom node area which is submerged in water. Will I soon? or ever?

Thanks

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Comments (5)

xentar_gw
16 years ago
The white "growth" coming from the bottom are roots. These look a lot like water roots, which are very fragile.
oregonwoodsmoke
16 years ago
When placing a cutting started in water into soil, you must be extremely gentle, so that you don't break the roots.

Your cuttings are alive, and the water roots are small, so they should move to soil OK. Keep the tops misted and the soil damp, but not soggy, and cross your fingers.

It helps if you can put some sort of cover over the cuttings to hold the moist air around the tops. Then you have to take that top off every day and let the cuttings air out. If you see any sign of mold or mildew, spray with a gentle fungicide immediately and increase the amount of time each day with the cover off.

You will probably get leaves long before there is a root system, so just keep tending to the cuttings and be patient.
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semaje
Original Author
16 years ago
oregon wood smoke..

are you talking about the cuttings in water? Cause they dont have any roots I dont think.
oregonwoodsmoke
16 years ago
No, I was talking about your rooted cuttings. I agree with xentar that those look like water roots.

The cuttings that you are trying to start in water might be better off started in soil. The water roots don't transplant easily.

You have to persist with cuttings. Often they get leaves before roots. I have also had them loose all their leaves and look like they died, only to have them start a new batch of leaves once they root. I don't give up on them until they are crispy critters.

I just had a willow, which has been a leafless green stick for 6 months, decide to produce some leaves. Because it didn't snap in half like a toothpick when touched, I just kept watering it and taking care of it.

If you want to start those wild cuttings in water, move them into soil the second you see roots appear.

Good luck with it.
semaje
Original Author
16 years ago
alright thank you.