Okay so here's a dumb question can I cut a young offshoot and put it keep it shaded and damp? Or should I cut young offshoots and put them in an indoor ebb and flow with that clay media or in a tank with intermittent misting for root growth? Also is it too late in the year I'm in the south and it's hot as shit where I am
Discussion
All I do is poke the cuttings into potting mix in 4-inch square pots, water completely, then put the whole tray of pots into a big clear plastic tub and place the lid on loosely. Put it in the shade where it can't get any direct sunlight (it's basically a mini greenhouse, so it'll get really hot inside if the sun hits it). Check it for moisture levels frequently to make sure it doesn't dry out, and they will probably be rooted in a month or so.
Rooting hormone helps, but isn't strictly necessary for elderberry.
Unless you're in a real hurry to replicate the plants, you'll probably have better luck if you wait until it's a little cooler, but you can still root them in summer.
I've also used honey on the stem. Not even sure if it's just an old wives tale, but it seems to work. I've had pretty good success in general. I've never tried to grow elderberry, though.
I don't know if it would do anything to stimulate root growth, but since honey has antibacterial and antifungal properties, it probably does help to keep the cutting from rotting before it can sprout roots.
Maybe I'll do half with half without. If I do it with soil maybe it'll also help with the soil organisms
How do you have the misters set up? I've done more of an aeroponics set up with neoprene collars and misters in the root zone. That gives you a full root system in 7 days. Pretty impressive actually.
That's what I use. I usually just use plain water. Would a hydroponic solution be better or just running some liquid kelp with it
Idk. I've never used it without solution. I guess I've always figured that it takes energy to grow so I should probably feed it. I do add a couple drops of rooting hormone as well.
And yeah, the effectiveness is pretty unbelievable. So much faster than growing from seed, and you keep the same genetics. It's technically the same plant.
I've only done a couple runs with it. The gardenia oh and some bleeding hearts all that rooted so fast I was blown away
I was blown away how well this works with some gardenia and hydrangea cuttings
Yeah I’m right outside of Houston, use the woody material of this years growth. Place in clay media, it should root. Might need some light to stimulate growth. Or in the fall, take those woody cuttings place in ground or potting soil, water, mulch, you should get new plants. They and mulberry are super easy.
There's a large elderberry near me that is leaning over and I know the city will come by and chop it soon. I want to see if I can get some going to use on my property so I'm going to try sooner rather than later. If still there this fall I'll go that route too