Propagating Juniperus horizontalis

8 years ago

Did a spring cleaning and noticed that my Juniperus horizontalis has a branch that roots where it touches the soil. I consider that a heavenly pointer to accomplish my first heroic garden achievement of cutting the branch, digging a big rootball, and transplanting it elsewhere in the garden.

Any sage advice on how to best do it?

Don't know what cultivar it is, if it is indeed a cultivar, but I don't think it has a bearing on the question.

Featured Answer

User

8 years ago

You'll have to make sure there are enough roots developed to support the size of the branch you cut off. If it has just begun to root, there may not be enough. You may have to wait a season to allow roots to increase.

If there is nice root development but not quite enough to support the top, you could trim the top in a limited way to help reduce the demand on the roots.

Otherwise, prepare our planting site or pot and move new tree to that, then keep it watered and limit the exposure to sunlight until roots settle in and the plant can handle it.

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Comments (6)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
imo .... depends on the length and size of the branch.. as compared to the root mass ... which of course.. you dont know about until you dig it ...

in my experience.. though you see some roots ... there arent a lot there.. because its getting most of its energy from the main plant ...

i often wondered if scaring or partially cutting the branch.. would encourage more roots ... done, perhaps, the year before the move ...

i did it once .. i found a nice 6 inch piece with small roots ... i potted it so i could keep it properly watered until fall planting ... i think it was J h. pancake.. a lay on the ground juniper ... i am sure.. it would have never made it.. free range somewhere out in the garden ...

ken
Ontario_Canada5a_USDA4b thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
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Ontario_Canada5a_USDA4b
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I gave it a good tuck and it seems firmly rooted, I'm pretty sure that it would survive cutting it off completely from the mother plant. I could let the child plant grow in place for a season, I'm not in a hurry.

Makes me wonder if I could do more: if I transplant the child plant vertically (instead of horizontally) will it still survive?

I'd like the transplanted child plant to grow upwards for a foot or so before it bends down again.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
like any topiary.. you can train it any way you wish ...

but being a horizontalis.. its inclination will be to go back down immediately.. so bind that sucker up ...

good tuck??? ... tug???

i do now recall also cutting it in place as you did ..... taking out perhaps a quarter inch so it doesnt reheal ... and leaving it there until fall planting time ...

ken
Ontario_Canada5a_USDA4b thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
Ontario_Canada5a_USDA4b
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I could stake the transplanted child plant vertically (before it bends down again after 1 foot of upward growth), that's a non-issue.

The issue is the roots that will be rotated from going downwards to going sideways. Not sure if the child plant will survive that.
User
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I like the idea of severing it from the parent without disturbing the roots. New roots form in the spring so if you can cut it and wait until late summer or fall to transplant, the plant will have even more developed roots by then.

Stem orientation? The plant may send out new sprouts from the base in new directions as it develops. After all it is known as 'creeping juniper'.
Ontario_Canada5a_USDA4b thanked User