Increasing Stock Plants
Several of the basic landscape plants can be reproduced
by encouragement. Pinning lower limbs of azaleas and rhododendron to the
ground can root the limbs. Dig a shallow trench beneath each limb. Scratch
the underside of the bark where it touches the trench. Pin the limbs in
the trench with oversized hairpins, such as those made from metal coat
hangers. Other easy to lower plants include forsythia, crabapple, flowering
cherry and Oriental magnolia.
Some horticulturists prefer to make a slight cut through a portion of
the stems to be covered. This cut is treated with Roottime rooting hormone
to speed the rooting process. A toothpick, small pebble or stick (for
spacing) is placed between the two cut surfaces. The wounded branch is
covered with a few inches of soil, with a brick or rock placed on top
to keep the stems in place. Water is applied to the area, with mulch,
compost or peat spread over the spot to conserve moisture. One growing
season is sufficient for roots to form. The rooted stems are cut from
the parent stock and planted where desired in the landscape scene.