First Time With Zelkova Cuttings

[ljp2706]

Yesterday I took some cuttings from a Zelkova I have in my yard. I think it’s a little early in the season for me (I’m zone 7a), but still I wanted to give it a shot and see. I’ve never done it before and wanted to practice before I attempt to propagate my newly purchased Japanese Maple in April/May.


Put some coarse perlite on the bottom of the pot and the rest of the pot has a 50/50 mix of perlite and sphagnum moss. Zelkova cuttings were dipped in a rooting hormone. I don’t have a heat pad, so I put the bag on top of my laptop power brick. Right now it’s in a dark spot in my house. But once/if I start seeing some leaves, I’ll move them to a window and eventually outside when it’s warmer.

Just thought I’d share my setup .

 

[WNC Bonsai]

Keep an eye out for fungus in that very moist enclosed bag, they can rot fast.

 

[ljp2706]

Keep an eye out for fungus in that very moist enclosed bag, they can rot fast.

Would it be better to have less moisture in there? Or to change out the bag/water every few days?

I read somewhere that one would want the environment to be ~80-90% humidity.

 

[Canada Bonsai]

I think it’s a little early in the season for me

Try again somewhere around the last week of may to late june

some say shoots should still be red

 

[ljp2706]

Try again somewhere around the last week of may to late june

some say shoots should still be red

Are you referring specifically to Japanese Maples? I’m definitely going to wait for those. I’ll try it when you’re suggesting. In the meantime, I’m hopeful that my Zelkova cuttings may work out. I changed out the water today and gently tugged on the cuttings and felt a good amount of resistance.

It’s been 9 days so far. I was thinking in 2-3 weeks I may move them to a planter that I purchased yesterday. Primarily because I’m worried about mold/fungus if I leave them in that bag for too long. In the meantime I’m changing out the bag and thoroughly (but not too much) watering the cuttings.

Bad picture I know, I didn’t think to take one when I had it out of the bag. And I don’t want to open it now just for a picture.

 

[Canada Bonsai]

Are you referring specifically to Japanese Maples?

I'm not referring at all to Japanese Maples

I'm referring to Zelkova