For me, the easiest way to propagate forsythia is by simple layering. Just bend a branch down and place dirt on top, leaving the end exposed, (you may want to wound it a bit where it comes in contact with the soil, but I found you really don't need to). Place a rock on top just to make it stay put. If you do this in spring, you can probably sever the branch from the parent by fall and pot it. Or you can keep it there till next spring and then cut it from the parent and place it right in the garden site. You may also want to try air layering.

I had made what I called my "sprouting garden" with old railroad ties north of my garage. I filled it with sand, and when I had cuttings, I would cut them about 6-8 inches long, strip off the lower leaves and make a 2 inch cut into the stem and stick that into a small hole made with a screwdriver. Next thing I knew I had TOO many, so I gave away all but a few.

Hi, Shasta.
I'm trying to root forsythia too. My neighbor cut down a big plant and I got a lot of the whips. Here's how I'm trying to root them: I cut them into 12" lengths and have them stuck in 1-gal jugs (about 8 to a jug) filled with MG potting mix and pine bark (about 80:20). I'll keep these in dappled shade over summer. Hopefully they'll root and I can plant them out in Fall. Maybe we'll both get some nice color next spring! :-D

One thing, I did not use any rooting hormone on them. I wonder if I should have. These whips had no open buds when I got them. I could always add a little root stimulator to my watering schedule, I guess...

Kris

Forsythia is one of the easiest of all shrubs to grow from cuttings. Any twig or branch stuck in the ground will root without any extra help. My forsythia grew from a stick I was using to mark the end of a row of vegetables.

A friend wanted some of my forsythia. I tried cuttings in soil, bending them over and putting soil on. The easiest way was, stick them in water, keep in a shady spot, and they root. I had 2 gallons of cuttings, they took like crazy.
Darlene

winter cuttings of forsythia plugged into dirt root easily.

Looking for help. I cut some branches off of some newly planted forsythias. I've read so many options I decided to try a few.I put some in a vase inside, some in a bucket on the deck and a few in the ground planted nicely like I would any new plant. Most of the cutting already look dead, the leaves have wilted with no signs of green. A few look like I may have some luck. I just cut a few more, placed them in a bucket with a bit of sugar in the water. Should I have them in the sun or in the shade? How long should it take to see roots and how long should the roots be before putting them into dirt? Any help would be appreciated as I've never done cutting before.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Princess and the Pup

shasta_2008,

I want to share what I witnessed. I put mulch last year and it was only during March this year that I noticed that I put mulch over a low branch. The part that got buried with mulch was the part near the main trunk, about 7" from the main trunk. When I removed the mulch and lifted the branch, it had roots. I wasn't aware that I can make a new plant out of it until I read this thread. Not sure if the roots are still there but probably, it has already dried up. I'll check it tomorrow.

For the past few years I have been admiring a dark gold forsythia in a neighbors yard. I've never seen one this color. I stopped and asked if they knew what variety it was, but they had no idea. After coming here and reading your posts I decided to see if I could root some of it from cuttings. I asked if I could take some cutting and they said I could.

I waited until it stopped blooming and went back and took 24 six to ten inch cuttings. I planted 9 directly into the ground in groups of 3. I planted in part shade and just garden soil with a little potting mix and keep them moist. The other 15 I put in water that I changed every 3 to 4 days. I kept them in vases under a table on my deck where they got just a little sun, but not enough to heat the water. No rooting hormone. Two months later, all have rooted and are growing. One even has a little yellow bud on the stem. I've taken the 15 out of the water and put them in 4 inch pots. Any questions? ;-)

eose

p.s. I had never done anything like this before.

My problem is the opposite - too much rooting of forsythia branches. A few years ago, I did a drastic thinning of my forsythia because they were so overgrown. Now the branch tips have taken root in the ground and are growing too close to my house. We have had a very wet spring and summer, so everything is growing faster than I can remember. Other than digging up these new offspring and continuing to thin the originals, is there anything easier to do to prevent the forsythia from growing right up to my house? I have seen ads for a fabric that is supposed to prevent weeds from growing. The seller, a major gardening company, says he has no experience with forsythia and does not know whether or not this fabric will prevent rooting. He does ask what soil depth the branch tips need to begin rooting. Your suggestions will be very welcome.

Don't use the fabric. It will be a nightmare in the future as weeds will grow on top and through it. Far easier to just regularly cut back the forsythia.