Peach Tree cutting ...rooted in honey!

12 years ago

...this was just an experiment because I had to trim back a large branch, saved alot of scions, but wanted to try something I read about...using honey...it's about 1/4" diameter and about 6" long...I coated the bottom with honey, then put it into dirt/perlite mix & covered with a baggie...kept it inside in a warm room by a window...and it's growing leaves???? I didn't realize that it would work that well...and just wondering what I might expect from the cutting...could it possibly produce true fruit to the mother tree?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

User
12 years ago
Cuttings will be the same as the parent plant - it's a form of cloning.

What you might lose with a cutting is any disease resistance if the tree was grafted onto resistant rootstock of a different variety.
sandy_village
Original Author
12 years ago
Hmmm...Lazygardens, thank you...I didn't realize the whole rootstock thing could impact the disease concerns...interesting...better yet...having this cutting work with honey was a pleasant surprise! Thanks for the input!
Related Professionals
Grand Rapids Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Boise Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Carbondale Landscape Contractors · Gulfport Landscape Contractors · Meridian Landscape Contractors · Platteville Landscape Contractors · Paducah Architects & Building Designers · Lufkin Architects & Building Designers · Gary Architects & Building Designers · Pittsfield Architects & Building Designers · Bemidji Architects & Building Designers · Mankato Architects & Building Designers · Lebanon Architects & Building Designers · Yuba City Architects & Building Designers · Twin Falls Architects & Building Designers
brandon7 TN_zone7
12 years ago
Disease resistance is just the tip of the iceberg. Other things include*, but are not limited to,
1. ultimate size of your tree
2. growth rate
3. amount and complexity of maintenance
4. ease of harvest
5. productivity
6. preciosity
7. senescence
8. hardiness
9. adaptation to different soils and soil conditions
1. drought tolerance
2. how well the tree will be anchored
3. whether the tree will need permanent or temporary support (not just how well it's anchored)
4. fruit size
5. resistance to certain diseases
6. resistance to certain pests
7. rootstock and scion graft compatibility
8. tendency to sucker
9. and I'm sure I'm leaving off at least something.
*That list was written with apples in mind, but most all the entries will also apply, at least to some degree, to peach trees.

BTW, how many leaves has your cutting grown and how big are they. Don't assume that just because the cutting is growing leaves that it has rooted. Leaves will be grown from food stored in the cutting and does not depend on roots. If the cutting is really flushing out with leaves, then that's a different story. Leaves are a good sign, but don't mean that the race is over. Let us know how things go.
sandy_village
Original Author
12 years ago
Geez...so much more to consider on the decision to root a cutting...had no idea! Thanks for the input ...although it's disappointing because none of it will be predictable.

So ...the cutting has very small leaves trying to grow...which now I understand could be just the food in the cutting...so I will just leave it as is for another couple weeks and see what it does. I've attached a photo...
hairmetal4ever
12 years ago
Did you look to see if there were actual roots?

I think peach technically can root from cuttings, but it's pretty difficult.
clarkinks
12 years ago
These links may be helpful

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/cutting-peach-tree-55225.html

http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/honey-root-hormone.htm