AusBonsai

When I do my cuttings I do it a bit different. First the mix I use is equal parts of crushed granite and Coco peat. I soak the cuttings in water. Hormone or Vitamins are optional. I then make a poly tent using a clear plastic wrap or some other clear plastic will do. I also use clear perspex. What I do that is different is I put the cuttings in a pond basket. Then I put that in a trough of water. about 25to 50mms deep ( 1to 2 inches ) then I put the whole lot under shade for two weeks changing the water regularly not wanting Mozzies. Then I put the whole thing out on the bench removing the tent do not want to cook them. I have had success with Casuarina Melaleuca Calistemon Lilly pilly both Eugenia and Syzygium Leptospermum brachyandrum.Kunzea pulchella.
This was discovered quite by accident I left some cuttings in a tray after my usual way.The tray filled with water and the cuttings thrived so I did the same thing purposely the results were very encouraging I am now into my third lot of cuttingssome of them as big as 25mms.

A few more pic now that I have worked it out This is the doner tree for these cuttings

Excellent post Pup!
Awarded + 50 Tensuu
by AusBonsai

Thanks again Pup!

There's an old Kunzea out the backyard that I'm going to remove. I think that collection will be extremely difficult, but am willing to attempt.

However, the 3 to 4 year old growth on it is really contorted and twisted, and i can see many shohin and mame trees lurking in there. Do you think 2 cm diameter wood (of kunzea) will take using your method? I have nothing to loose anyway...

Do you purchase your coir peat in solid bricks and add water? That seems to be the common method around here, but all the bricks i have found have fertilizer added, and all contain phosphorus too.

Thanks again!

JayC

Jay C I get my blocks from Bunnings I have not had any with added ferts. I am not sure about tghe size of the Kunzea. I do know that Baxteri is a rampant grower. As in the re pot post and I had no trouble when, I collected mine from a garden. So maybe you can do both try the cuttings and dig the whole tree. Pup

Excellent post Pup, thanks very much!
Can you let us know how old the strikes are in the second lot of pictures? (with roots showing out the bottom)
Also, do you do anything different with your thicker cuttings?
Cheers,
Steven

Steven the cuttings are 9 months I have in the past used a poly styrene box with a perspex lid. I will still use this with other cuttings. Being of the senior citizens group I need to go with smaller trees so I take cuttings to create small trees.I have in the past used Honey when striking this is instead of hormones. thanks for your comments Pup

Pup wrote:I have in the past used Honey when striking this is instead of hormones.

Honey... please tell us more Pup.

Honey will never go off.
It contains hormones and anti fungal properties. Many people use it instead of rooting hormones as it doesn't come off like powder often does when it gets wet, and its cheaper too.
A wisteria I collected had honey applied to is as it was very large. Now its growing so fast I cant keep it cut back enough.

Asus101 wrote:Honey will never go off.
It contains hormones and anti fungal properties. Many people use it instead of rooting hormones as it doesn't come off like powder often does when it gets wet, and its cheaper too.
A wisteria I collected had honey applied to is as it was very large. Now its growing so fast I cant keep it cut back enough.

Hey Steven Ben has answered for me.

HA!!! I'm on up one the old man

Thanks for the tips Pup. This is my first year attempting cuttings and I'm having mixed luck. I took some Japanese Maple cuttings a while back and the leaves I've left have stayed green but I don't know what that means as there's no new growth. A few Trident maples have sprouted new growth but that's it. Should I try again with the Japanese Maples or do you think they'll be alright?

Hi TeeJay and welcome to AusBonsai!

Tell me... how do I join the TeeJay Bonsai Society?
Regards,
Steven

Hi Steven, I wouldn't bother trying to join, it's very exclusive and you probably know too much about bonsai to be eligible.

teejay wrote:Thanks for the tips Pup. This is my first year attempting cuttings and I'm having mixed luck. I took some Japanese Maple cuttings a while back and the leaves I've left have stayed green but I don't know what that means as there's no new growth. A few Trident maples have sprouted new growth but that's it. Should I try again with the Japanese Maples or do you think they'll be alright?

Before I can answer that with any conviction I need to know where you live. Also what size cuttings, what you struck them in.
However for what it is worth I never assume they have struck, when they still have there green leaves.
What I do is GENTLY tug at them if you get some resistance, chances are they have struck. The article you have just read is for Australian Native species. I have not tried that on Exotics. I use the same mix for them but I use a polystyrene box with drainage holes. The I put a clear plastic sheet over the top. Pup

Sorry about the lack of geographical information Pup I'm trying to fix my profile currently. I live around Melbourne and the majority of them are around 8-10cm. It's been a very cool beginning to Summer also. I have them in a make-shift little greenhouse (a modified crate with poly over the top) and they've been there for about a month.

Cheers