Discussions about propagating from cuttings, seeds, air layers etc. Going on a dig (Yamadori) or thinking of importing? Discuss how, when and where here.
I've taken a cutting from this maple which is growing in the yard.
First time i've tried this so I just thought I would try the Stem Cutting method.
Are there any suggestions how I can help this little baby stay alive?
I've defoliated it in the hope that it would back bud and encourage growth.
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it is also quite a large cutting. generally, for deciduous trees, take a cutting about 6 inches long with at least three nodes. cut the leaves off the bottom 2/3 of the cutting. cut any remaining large leaves in half. normally i just leave two leaves. it is important to keep some leaves as the cutting will continue to create food which will helpin root development. even hardwood cuttings taken in winter throw out new growth before grwoing roots.
you will definately need to plant is a soil/sand mix that is damp but not too wet and cover it in a plastic bag or cling wrap to keep the humidity high. also dont place the cutting in full sun. a cool shaded place like the side of a house works best i have found.
also, when takign cuttings various areas of the tree will give greater success. Cuttings taken from the top of the tree (apex) and the upper sides take longer to root if they ever will. strong shoots growing at the bottom of the tree will take a lot more easily. This is due to the new growth at the bottom of the tree have a younger "age" where as new growth towatrds the top of a tree is actually as old as the tree itself which makes the cuttings ability to grow roots more difficult. Some commercial growers take a cutting and then take numerous cuttings off that cutting while it is still young.
best tiem to take cuttings is in the morning. cut 6 inch length. select a section where the stem has just reach snapping point. cut the top off if its too soft and not hardened off..
Hi addosh,
Ken, is right. This being a Japanese Maple will work very well with air layering.
If you go with the cutting. The information from astroboy76 is very good. I would also put the pot on a sand bed that is covered in sphagnum moss. Give it a drink of Seasol. Repeat this every week.
Great, thank you so much! 
