Thanks Michael for the grafting suggestion. I actually have a species wintersweet plant (purple heart) which is big and healthy (see first picture). I can ask my friend to send me some twigs early next spring and try out. Her yellow variety was also a seedling given by her friend and she said it might have taken 5 years to bloom.

The other option is to do an airlayering on her plant next spring. I am experimenting air-layer on my own plant right now but I started a bit late (mid July). If it looks promising I will bug her again.

Happy gardening!

August 8th: I noticed leaves on the air-layed branch that I experimented on my species plant (purple heart) had turned brown and crispy. I cut the branch. It has been 3 weeks since I started (on July 17th). No root but there is callus showing.

The coir in the air-layer pod is still moist (I injected some water week ago when it was reaaly hot).

considering I did not start the experiment at the optimal time I feel if I get to try on my friend’s tree next spring, I might have a chance of success?

I haven't been able to find any reference to air layering Chimonanthus praecox. There is information out there about ground layering and rooting which appear to be the methods of choice for this plant.

Thanks Bill. Yeah wintersweet is a rare plant still in the states and not much information is available. Long time ago a fellow in Fragrant Forum (long river I think is his name) had rooted some in the summer using bottom heating and shared with us. Unfortunately mine died after a couple months.

I doubt I should bother air-layer or ground layer considering this is not my plant and we are hours away. My friend is a even newer newbie than I am :)

Now thinking back I made a mistake in hardwood cutting, putting the pots indoor at 70 degree. I should have left them outside.

But a 100% failure at softwood cutting (20 of them) is too discouraging.

I think I will try one more time with grafting next spring. Worst case I still have the seedlings and the purple hearts. Maybe 7 years is not too long after all.

Happy gardening!

From the Reference manual of woody plant propagation: Dirr & Heuser.

Chimonanthus praecox. Fragrant wintersweet.

Cuttings:

Considered difficult. Senior author collected cuttings in late July (Georgia), 3000 ppm IBA-solution, peat:perlite, mist, wood was firm and growth had stopped, 70% rooting resulted.

Cuttings were collected from a mature 15' high shrub. Late August, 3000 ppm IBA-talc plus thiram, sand:perlite, rooted 66%.

Best to collect cuttings from young plants (juvenile).

Thank you so much Bill for this very useful information. So this is the book that Ken suggested that I could not find in our library. It looks like semi hardwood cuttings where growth stopped already.

I can see how or where I was failing. The solution, misting condition, etc. Amazing they got 70% success rate but they must be doing in a plant science lab!

It comforts me that wintersweet rooting is listed as difficult :)

I couldn't find the book at the library either.

I kept searching around and iirc: paid ~$14 used through amazon.

Woody plant propagation.

I didn't have all the resources needed to do things 'by the book' but the time of year to take cuttings is useful along with the amount of IBA to use (I bought 'Dip & Grow' then mixed according to instructions). Timing is the most critical imo.

Media type isn't cut in stone either.

When I rooted Taxus canadensis, I used 70% perlite 30% peat. It just has to support the cuttings and retain moisture basically.

Just place the cup(s) or pot(s) with several to many cuttings stuck in the media, inside a plastic food bag(s) (this holds humidity high), bag tie or seal the tops and set in the shade, somewhere out of the way, where temperatures don't get too hot or too cold (high 60's to low 70's should be good).

Should be making roots in 6 weeks or so.

It all seems so overwhelming the first time but it's really very simple. Just keep everything clean.

(I used a peroxide mix to disinfect everything before sticking, to help prevent mold).

You might only get one to a few to root out of a pot of 20 so a couple of 6" shallow pots with 20 cuttings ea. will give a chance of at least a few that root. That won't be high enough percentage for a commercial grower but a few for personal use is good enough. ;-)

And just to add:

I wouldn't wrap the 'cuttings' with parafilm. In fact you may want to open the bag(s) they're in every week or so to ventilate and give them some fresh air. Plants need oxygen to stay healthy.

:-)

eta: perhaps smaller cuttings might help. New growth on branch ends that are just hardening off (8-10"), I think is what they are saying in the book.

Thanks again Bill. I just unwrapped the parafilm of the one remaining cutting. The top is already mushy. Fortunately the rest of stem is still green. This is one thick cutting. My friend had a very hard time finding ”pencil sized” branches on her still moderate size tree. Now I feel guilty.

Today 8/10 the last seedling also grows a set of true leaves. Now I have total of 6 healthy seedlings to look forward to.

That's fine!

You might get the itch to try rooting again sometime but now is the recommended time of year, so you still have time to think about it. Sounds like semi-hardwood cuttings are the best.

And don't worry about the failures, we all have them. It took me at least 3 tries before the Hemlocks struck. Once they did, the joy was worth all the disappointments. :)

Glad to hear the seedlings are forging ahead.

Keep us posted.

Bill

Bill I just realized I missed your post on the details of cutting procedure. You even purchased the book! I did not do so thinking it would be too late :)

Those are very invaluable information. It does sound overwhelming for me this moment but when I set to do it, it wii be of tremendous help. Maybe one day someone visits here and will be inspired. Thank you so much!

Bill, such a detailed and complete protocol for rooting! It is Extremely helpful in so many ways. The plastic tote with rocks at the bottom is a great and simple solution. I need to buy a big one, but for now since I only have one cutting left, I used a tall vase in place :) One advantage of putting the pots in a container I can see is preventing the branch to touch the plastic bag thus reducing chance of rotting?

It must feel very good getting a rooted plant after 7 months. Diligence and patience finally paid!

Thanks!

The only thing that has me worried is the size of your cuttings.

Semi hardwood or Softwood cuttings, taken in the summer, are the new shoots of growth from this season. Not the mature woody growth at its base.

When taken in July, before they begin to harden off, they are called Softwood cuttings, then later in the summer (end of July or August) when they quit growing and begin to harden off, then they are called Semi-Hardwood cuttings.

I believe both instances described in Dirr's book were semi-hardwood cuttings.

eta: 4" to 6" long.

So I might have used the wrong type of cuttings. My friend actually brought 6 or so long branches. I cut each to 3 or 4 pieces. Some of them ( the ones close to the tip) should be qualified as softwood? This last one is close to the base, so definitely not a softwood cutting then. Chance is now even dwindling

haha! That's how we learn! By doing. :-)

Not a problem, this is the time of year to collect cuttings for Semi-Hardwood rooting.

But yes, it's the new part of this year's growth that will root. Not the hard woody stem like willow and dogwood will.

You can get quite a few in a pot, similar to what I did with the Taxus. You might just have to take a road trip to your friends and collect them.

Cut them cleanly just below a bud and place them inside of a plastic bag with a wet paper towel, until you get home. A small cooler would be nice to keep them fresh.

Morning is best as the shoots are generally plump and moist (turgid).

Then you're all set. Stick them, cover them and wait. :-)

Thanks, Bill! so basically, the good semi-hard cuttings will be those thin and somehow green stems? Most of the cuttings I tried last months were like that though I have made some error in the procedure.. There are always so much regret when thinking back.. Unfortunately I can’t make a trip rest of summer, with my and her schedules. We are 2 hours apart. Might be able to visit her during the winter break. I can collect hardwood cuttings that time.

No problem, I was having fun helping. :-)

I don't think hardwood cuttings will work, at least I can't find any references to that method.

The other method, which may have a higher success rate than rooting, would be Layering.

Disclaimer: There may be patents on certain plants, so you will want to check if they're patented or not before propagating them. \n

If not, I'd instruct my friend on how to layer a couple of branches. That way, by next summer, you could probably disconnect them from the parent plant and by the next Fall , pot them up and take them home.

I've never layered anything, so you'll have to research that one by yourself.

the good part is that the new plant will be an exact clone, with the same genetics as the parent, same as rooting.

Sorry it didn't work out for you with the cuttings, and you could try that method again next year.

:^) Have fun!

Bill, thanks again!

I actually have some experience in air-layering. did that long time ago on a Japanese maple, failed because the branch healed without rooting. This year I tried again with a couple roses from Costco and it is very successful. Perhaps the costco roses are really easy types. They rooted as early as 2 weeks which is amazing. On the other hand all my rose cuttings failed. I was just experimenting and kept checking which probably accounted for failure. But on the whole I have more confidence in air-layeringbrhan cutting.

I don’t think the winter sweet plant my friend has is of patent concern. Hers is a seedling from a friend. Her friend’s might also come from a seedling. The yellow type likely comes from China (from seeds) and there have not been many new varieties. Even the nursery I visited last fall in NC had wintersweet plants from seedlings too and they were not sure what type it was so I did not buy. This spring I called them and they told me it bloomed pure yellow but were all sold out. Maybe I should make a trip there during the blooming time and save all the trouble (and fun too :)

8/31: wintersweet seedlings are doing great! The biggest one has reached almost 7 inches.

I repotted two to bigger pots. The other 4 are also doing fine.

As to the only cutting remaining, hard to tell if it will make it. so far the stem hasn’t dried out and no rotting is seen at bottom part

10/24: the last cutting is rotted. So my rooting effort is a complete failure.

The 6 seedlings are doing fine. I planted one seedling in the ground on 10/20.

The rest 5 seedlings are potted to bigger pots and put by the front porch facing south

Later I will cover them with leaves and straws.

How long before a seedling flowers? Congrats by the way

Thanks Meyermike. My species Wintersweet was bought as a small seedling. It took 5 or 6 years to bloom after I planted it.

I wrap the seedling planted in ground with a pot before Thanksgiving for some protection.

The remaining potted plants (gave a few to friends) are put inside a big pot under a maple tree

On 11/30 I received new cuttings from my friend. According to online resource, I wrapped them with damp paper towel, put in a dark bag and left them in garage (12-17 degree). I am supposed to wait for 3 weeks for the bottom to form callus.

I periodically checked them and it has been 2 weeks (Dec 13th) but no sign of callus.

Dec 18th 2022: 20 days since my friend took the cuttings. They still did not show much callus

But I decided to pot them as planned. I prepared 3 mediums: [pure perlite], [half perlite+half sand], [perlite+sand+potting soil]

I dipped the cuttings in rootone briefly, and planted them in the three pots. I will leave the pot of [half sand + half perlite] by the west facing window in the house

The other two pots I will leave at the porch. I might bring them inside if it gets too cold

Now I will wait and pray for them to show up in spring 🌱🌼

Update of 1/5/2023

We had a super cold 20 or so degree weather for a few days last week. Seedlings have dropped all leaves. This is the one planted in ground.

Below are 3 seedlings in pots

I hope they are all still alive. Currently weather has come back to above 40.

Above are cuttings in [half perlite+half sand] and indoor. I am excited to see new growth but I am not counting on it. I tried winter hardwood cutting a year ago and there was also some (though much less) growth however they dried up later without developing root.

Above are cuttings in [pure perlite]. I put the pot originally outside but moved it indoor when it got down to 20 degree. There was a tiny new growth on one cutting.

Above is the pot with cuttings in [sand+perlite+soil] left at the deck. No new growth yet but the cuttings are still alive. Notice the species winter sweet plant in full bloom. The fragrance is intoxicating and amazing, and there must be over a hundred bees buzzing around.

Happy New Year and Happy Gardening♣️🌹

Thanks for the update!

bill

Thanks, Bill

These are the blooms from my plain species wintersweet plant. They are not as bright and pretty as the pure yellow variery, but the fragrance is amazing!

1/5/2023: According to Chinese online site, the cuttings with new growth could be sprayed with 0.3% KH2PO4 (Potassium dihydrogen phosphate) every 10 days to facilitate rooting. I got a few bags from Amazon so I just sprayed the cuttings today (1/5/2023) as mentioned.

I also took a couple cuttings from the [sand+perlite+soil] pot and planted them directly in ground, just for experiment. They have not had any new growth yet.

Keep us posted.

:-)

Bill, thanks! I’ll keep posted, even just for myself to come back and check notes, dates and progress 😊

January 10th, 2023

Below are cuttings in [half sand+half perlite] and they have been in indoor by the window all time. There has been more growth since Jan 5th.

Below are cuttings in [pure perlite]. The pot was outside on the deck for 5 days then I moved it back on Dec 23. It stays indoor now. There is one new growth

The pot outside [sand+perlite+soil] has not shown any growth.

The online source says that it is crucial to maintain the moisture and keep the new growth green and alive. I do not have any misting equipment and I dare not spraying too often, worrying the water will get in the medium and cause rotting. I cover the pots with plastic bags and spray only occasionally.

It will take 4 months for the second round of new leaves to appear and only then one can be confident about cuttings getting rooted. It is a long way to go 🌱

January 12th, I moved the pot of [sand+perlite+soil] into the house, and put it by the west window. There has been no new growth on these cuttings

Trying to find a way to increase the moisture while avoiding soaking the medium 😁 This way I can spray the new growth without water getting in the medium.

January 15th, 2023

2 of the cuttings in [sand+perlite+soil] have put green growth since I moved them indoor on 12/23/2023

Jan 20, 2023

The green leaves on one cutting in the [half sand+half perlite] withered, making me a bit worried. Others are all right and hopefully most of them will continue growing well

The 2 cuttings in the [pure perlite] pot are doing good and have caught up since I brought them indoor

The cuttings in [soil+sand+perlite] pot start to sprout green tips. They are still tiny this moment

2 days before lunar new year 🧨🌱

Jan 17th, 2023. sadly, all cuttings in [half sand+half perlite] pot have withered. Maybe bad timing? The leaves appeared too early? I moved some of the cuttings to the ground.

one cutting in the [pure perlite] pot still looks ok, hanging there.

The cuttings in [soil+sand+perlite] pot are the last to grow leaves, and they are coming slowly

Fingers still crossed🙏

What happened to the cuttings? Did you take soft or semi-hardwood in recent months too?

@Emma Taylor，no the cuttings died eventually. I think it leafed out before the rooted. Such disappointment. The seedlings were doing fine. But I put them in ground too soon and they did not survive the winter.

I had given up and bought a plant last year. But my friend mailed me some seeds again and encourage me to try one more time. So I started over again by soaking the seeds 😊 just a couple days ago 2025/1/27

Soaking in water over 10 days did not do a thing. I then sanded the seed shells with nail flyer and soaked in warm water for 30 mintes. The shells were softened and I outbthe seeds on the wet tissue papers. In a couple days they sprouted

2/9 the sprouted seeds were potted

Did you use the same seed raising soil mix?

@Emma Taylor, I mixed the miracle grow potting soil with some perlite

I tried to root wintersweet from a cutting and failed. It was done inside an indoor grow enclosure (grown in soil) and everything was done right. The branch even began budding a little but it was never able to grow roots and finally died. They do not appear to be easy to root from cuttings.

I did get some fresh (not too old) seeds from a yellow variety of wintersweet, and three of them sprouted. One of them is now a very small plant. (Though I have read it takes a long time to grow this plant to a decent size from seed)

It is always possible you could get a wintersweet plant and then try grafting on to that the variety you want.

@socalnolympia, yeah rooting a wintersweet plant is super hard. I gave up and bought a pure yellow plant last year. Hopefully it will bloom this winter

Of the pure yellow seedlings one is doing well. I will over winter it indoor this year and plant out next spring

There are a huge number of wintersweet varieties available in China that are not available and practically unknown outside of China. In fact there is a huge amount of wintersweet appreciation and a wide assortment of different flower shapes in China that I would almost compare to enthusiasm for roses.

I can quickly share some of my notes with you, if you would like.

腊梅 is the Chinese characters for wintersweet plant. The Chinese refer to it as a type of "plum", referring to the "plum blossom" trees that are popular in China. ("plum" isn't really the most accurate word and is an English translation)

Here is a list of some of the different varieties

檀香腊梅 rose petal like type

狗牙腊梅 yellow green spider like

金钟腊梅 "golden bell", kind of pure yellow color, cup shaped, many layers of petals, a bit rose shaped

狗牙梅 "dogtooth plum" looks nice but says fragrance is relatively light, light yellow, petals pointed

小花腊梅 "small flowered wax plum" rose petal like but small flowers

磐口梅 "pankou plum" seems to me like the American grandiflorum variety, white pointy petals, says fragrance is very strong

金鐘梅 "golden bell amaranth" seems similar to it, also has very strong fragrance, shape is more dainty, more open but petals can hang closed in downward cups

varieties also look possibly interesting

虎蹄

黄腊坨

檀香

罄口

https://mz.eastday.com/60337984.jpeg

Common breeds

素心梅 Suxin plum: The color of the back of its petals is pure yellow, while the inner wheel is similar to the solid color, the flowers are very large, and the fragrance emitted by the flowers is very strong.

狗牙梅 Dogtooth Plum: Its tepal is relatively narrow and long, and it is relatively pointed, and the perianth in the center of the middle wheel is purple, and there is a faint fragrance, and the flowers are very small.

罄口梅 Plum Blossom: Its outer perianth is pale yellow, while the perianth edge of the inner perianth is purple-red, and it is also striped, the flowers are very large, and the fragrance is very clear.

虎蹄梅 Tiger Chestnut: The flowers are large and yellow, the petals are round, and the small petals in the center are slightly reddish-purple; The flowers are like tiger hooves, with a strong aroma and early flowering.

金钟梅 Admiralty plum: The flowers are bright yellow, resembling Admiralty, double petals, and the fragrance is also strong.

http://www.hebitv.com/news/649085

We had a massive wintersweet at my childhood home. My mum always tells the story of how her aunt had just cut off a piece from hers, and Mum took it home and stuck it in the ground. That was it. My uncle had a lot of success with growing from seed. I don’t seem to have the lucky touch. This is in Adelaide, South Australia. I believe Mum’s aunt had grown hers from a cutting too. The original plant was at the family home in the hills. I have two smallish plants that I planted in the ground as seedlings. I want to grow more in case I ever move. I have a lot of seeds.

@socalnolympia, thanks for sharing the list. That is very informative! I hope one day those beautiful Chinese varieties will be more available in US

@HU-988491224, we all have some sweet old memories! Your seedling plants will grow and bloom probably sooner than you thought. I shared a few seedlings to friends and 4 of them have blooming plants within 4-5 years.

This is my yellow 素心腊梅 seedling. I moved it to a bigger pot where it will spend the winter .

These are my two. They are about 5 years old. They blossom, and this year have produced their first seed pods. @forever_a_newbie_VA8 💚

@forever_a_newbie_VA8 🤩

@HU-988491224, wow! that is really very encouraging. Congratulations to the blooms. Are they pure yellow type?

@forever_a_newbie_VA8 no, they’re the other type, but they have a great perfume