how big is the branch???

and im confused whether you want to graft it.. or root it ...

in a month.. you can harvest seed ... and probably grow a tree .. faster than rooting one ...

ken

Sorry, Root not Graft.

I made a cut, pasted it with root-tone, wrapped in sphagnum moss, wrapped in plastic, and waiting for some roots. The branch that will eventually come off is about 1" in diameter.

likelihood of success

==>>> low to nil ... but weirder things have happened ... keep us posted ..

why not just harvest and plant some seeds .... i have a couple thousand seedlings on my 5 acres ...

of course.. an experiment.. for the heck of it.. is worthwhile ..

ken

I opened the plastic to check it, ands there were no roots. I made notch a little bigger and started all over. Surrounded with damp moss. Will check again in a few weeks. If I eventually get roots, Is there a good time to cut off the branch? Should I put in ground or in a pot with soil?

In general you want to do mutiple cutting attempts as success with cuttings is never 100%. The following is the preferred method of propagating redbuds from cuttings:

"Take the cutting when the tree has finished blooming and the leaves have opened. (Softwood cuttings) When taking the cutting, only pick branches that are about ¼ in diameter and 4 to 6 inches long. Take the cutting slightly below a leaf node.

Place the cutting(s) in a glass of water while you are completing the next step, which is the soil preparation.

To prepare the soil, one will make a planting medium that is one-half peat moss and one-half sand. Stir to completely mix and then place in several 6-inch pots. Add water to the pots. To keep the peat moss from floating away, push down on the soil surface.

Once the planting medium has been prepared, remove the cuttings from the water and remove any leaves along the stem making sure that you have at least 2 sets of leaves on top of the stem. Next, dip the end of the cutting in rooting hormone. Push the treated cutting into one of the prepared 6 inch pots. Repeat the process with each cutting.

Place each cutting in a clear, plastic bag and mist with water. Tie the bag off and place the cutting(s) in a location that is kept around 70 degree Fahrenheit.

Monitor the soil moisture and add accordingly. In about 4 weeks, check to see if your cutting has rooted. To do this, simply open up the plastic bag and take a little tug on the cutting. If you feel a little resistance, the cutting is rooted. If not, close the bag up and wait a few more weeks.

Once rooted, plant your redbud cutting in a 10 inch pot that is filled with garden soil. Place in light shade and monitor the soil moisture. Redbud trees need about 1-inch of rain a week.

Continue to grow in the pots until the cutting is 1 year old. After that time period, introduce your tree to its new location slowly. This is done by gradually exposing the tree to its new environment. This introduction should take about 2 weeks. Once the introduction is complete, the tree is ready to plant."

Just an aside, but the timing is pretty critical. If the cutting is not taken from the parent tree at the proper stage of growth, you are very unlikely to be successful.

Thanks. I have a cut on a 1" diameter branch that needs to be removed. That is why I am trying root it.

Redbud roots aren't terribly cold tolerant...so if you do get any rooting before winter, you'll want to harvest the branch and keep it above freezing. A grower I know lost all his Redbud in a hoop house one winter...the only species that died. Wish I knew the threshold temperature so I could be more helpful.

nycat06, HERE is a recent post of mine on the propagation forum. Scroll down to the latest one for redbud propagation. Take a moment and read the American Nurseryman article. That individual is one of the foremost authorities when it comes to redbud propagation. Am not aware of anyone, anywhere who successfully propagates redbud by cuttings. If you have the discipline, timing and knowhow you can master the technique of budding. The good thing is, no mist system, no greenhouse, no hormone, no polyhouse required.

Did you succeed with the redbud gaft?