Hi Gladys,

My only attempt with seeds resulted in no germination, so I canÂt help you there. Someone with experience will stop by soon and offer you advice.

For rooting cuttings, I now use the patented "BillÂs Bottle Method"; pictures are included in the old thread linked below. Ignore my musings in that thread about possibly using wood chips. I had just moved to the desert and thought I would need to change the way I root cuttings. It was a very bad idea. The keys to successful rooting are a fast draining soil, bottom heat, and resisting the urge to give a lot of water before leaves appear. Rooting hormone and Superthrive help speed things up.

Do you need to cut that branch? In time other branches on the plant may grow in such a way as to provide a more balanced look. If you do cut it off, the bottle method is an excellent way to root it. Let the cut end of the branch dry for a week before you pot it up.

Philip

Here is a link that might be useful: Link to thread with pics of Bill's Bottle Method

Bump! Someone please give Gladys advice on her seedlings.

seedlings that are already rooted are just like regular plants. As they show signs of coming out of dormancy, water and give a tablespoon of epsoms salts. If you have a limited selection of fertilizers, look for Shultz or Osmacoat. The spikes are probably too much fertilizer and are for larger shrubs. I have not planted in pure perlite. You can follow the bottle method and just put in dry soil where the pumice is. The moisture in the area outside the bottle will be enough. I soak my cuttings for several hours, then dip in roottone and plant. Bottom heat is really the key or get it on hot concrete during the day. Otherwise, all that Phillip says is exactly correct. Also so much of good seed germination is having good seeds. I soak mine between paper towels with superthrive and water and keep warm. then I plant them wing up in moist, warm soil. I have had some batches where every seed grew and some where none did. I think the latter one came from a pod that was frosted. Bill

Thanks all, Gladys