How to taken a cutting: Japanese Maple

[cornfed]

My boss is moving in three weeks. But before he does, he has a nice Japanese Maple in his backyard that I would like to propagate.

I'm going to take some cuttings and give it a shot. But...

Is there a right time of year to take a cutting?

How do I maximize my odds of success?

What part of the branch would I cut? (Obviously there is no current growth, the tree is just waking up).

I will put them in straight pumice fines I believe. But I have grit, Turface, DE, pine bark and dried sphagnum moss available as well.

 

[Rivian]

If the only option is NOW then thats the ideal time

 

[ShimpakuBonsai]

Maybe you can even make an airlayering of that maple.

 

[Pitoon]

My boss is moving in three weeks. But before he does, he has a nice Japanese Maple in his backyard that I would like to propagate.

I'm going to take some cuttings and give it a shot. But...

Is there a right time of year to take a cutting?

How do I maximize my odds of success?

What part of the branch would I cut? (Obviously there is no current growth, the tree is just waking up).

I will put them in straight pumice fines I believe. But I have grit, Turface, DE, pine bark and dried sphagnum moss available as well.

Not all JM will root by cuttings. Best time to take cuttings is on semi-hardwood, right after the first flush hardens off. This will give the cuttings enough time to produce roots to prepare them for fall/winter.

 

[cornfed]

Maybe you can even make an airlayering of that maple.

That was my original intention, but there is not enough time until the new owner moves in.

 

[cornfed]

Not all JM will root by cuttings. Best time to take cuttings is on semi-hardwood, right after the first flush hardens off. This will give the cuttings enough time to produce roots to prepare them for fall/winter.

Thank you! I will add this to my notes for another JM that I have access to.

This one, unfortunately, I have to cut this week if I want it. And it's more asleep than awake.

I'm thinking of cutting the hard wood, just below a node, maybe pencil thickness.

 

[Pitoon]

Thank you! I will add this to my notes for another JM that I have access to.

This one, unfortunately, I have to cut this week if I want it. And it's more asleep than awake.

I'm thinking of cutting the hard wood, just below a node, maybe pencil thickness.

Cut a dozen or so scions. Keep them in the fridge to keep them dormant. Go buy some Green Japanese maples to graft them on to. Scion grafting is usually done in summer when the sap is flowing and the leaves have hardened off. This way you can at least keep the genetics to do something with later down the road.

 

[rollwithak]

That was my original intention, but there is not enough time until the new owner moves in.

Talk to the new owner. Maybe they’re cool. Can’t see the tree or where you’d be air-layering so not sure if you’d be destroying the tree or what.

 

[HorseloverFat]

If we are JUST talking cuttings...

I’m in your zone, Cornfed, ..and I just “did up”a bunch of swollen-bud cuttings (Maples included)... I have had more success THIS way, for HARDWOOD cuttings.. but I’ve also had success (just less, with hardwood) taking cuttings roughly two weeks AFTER bud break... If you have enough time to access the tree.. you could do both.

 

[HorseloverFat]

(ALSO for us “icicle folk”.. it SEEMS that taking late-fall, ALMOST dormant cuttings, and letting them callous over winter in coldframe is a DECENTLY successful operation.. I know this doesn’t help you NOW... but it’s worth mentioning)

 

[cornfed]

Thanks for the advice all. I'm gonna just take my chances while I can with this tree. I have access to another JM to try at a better time.

So in general, it's better to take cuttings in Spring after the buds start to push out through Summer so they have a chance to root before winter. Correct?

I see myself doing a lot of cuttings this year. I know some species are better suited for it than others.

 

[Japonicus]

Good time to dig the maple if it's not too big for you to handle.
What kind of maple is it?

 

[HorseloverFat]

Thanks for the advice all. I'm gonna just take my chances while I can with this tree. I have access to another JM to try at a better time.

So in general, it's better to take cuttings in Spring after the buds start to push out through Summer so they have a chance to root before winter. Correct?

I see myself doing a lot of cuttings this year. I know some species are better suited for it than others.

Yes! Cuttings!!! I call them “fast-lings” ..

The great MOST of deciduous And some evergreen species will throw roots from semi-hardwood. (With ever-so-slightly varying degrees of difficulty and timeframes).. hardwood is more of a gamble and can be species specific when speaking of “general success rates”...

Coniferous Species, on the other hand.. I can’t say (But someone will know).. I have no prior experience rooting coniferous cuttings... but I DO have some “in” now... so this season will tell.



And yes your thoughts are entirely correct.. about timing and “aim”...

I just have to keep stressing, just to give you most room for success, the differences between rooting hardwood, semi-hardwood, even softwood cuttings... each of these have slightly different parameters for success, as well as “cause and effect” as triggered by environment/timing.. ‘tis just good to know these things..

As I’ve said before.. everyone’s cuttings “game” is different and is made up of a compilation of empirical data based on experiences/observations and pieces of knowledge/information we’ve read or has been passed to us...

Take MANY..

Get your “cuttings game” swol, bro.

 

[cornfed]

I visited the tree in question. Photos attached. I have until next Wednesday to make my move.

Is it even a JM? That's what I was told it is.

 

[Rivian]

Pretty sure thats not a JM, neither japonicum nor palmatum, matsumurae, etc.

 

[Japonicus]

It is not JM. Even the Bloodgood only gets maybe 20' tall at best.
I would suggest taking a stroll through the maples section of the forum
and doing some research on characteristics of JM. Height will not be 30'
flowers are very small...
In my yard 1st pictured is an Acer japonicum Otaki 12 yrs in ground
shirasawanum Autumn Moon 11 yrs in ground
then palmatums in ground 2 yrs.
Whatever you're looking at there at your neighbors, I would not waste my time on.

 

[Pitoon]

If I was a betting man.....which I'm not. I would put my money on that being a magnolia. Which cultivar......you will have to wait to see the flowers. Those large buds are flower buds.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

That looks like a Japanese magnolia.

Japanese Magnolia Tree: Varieties, Care, and Other Important Facts

The Japanese magnolia is a must have tree variety for a beautiful landscape. You can plant hybrid magnolia varieties that flower in vibrant colors and appreciate their spectacular blooms.

gardenerdy.com

 

[cornfed]

Yes! Cuttings!!! I call them “fast-lings” ..

The great MOST of deciduous And some evergreen species will throw roots from semi-hardwood. (With ever-so-slightly varying degrees of difficulty and timeframes).. hardwood is more of a gamble and can be species specific when speaking of “general success rates”...

Coniferous Species, on the other hand.. I can’t say (But someone will know).. I have no prior experience rooting coniferous cuttings... but I DO have some “in” now... so this season will tell.



And yes your thoughts are entirely correct.. about timing and “aim”...

I just have to keep stressing, just to give you most room for success, the differences between rooting hardwood, semi-hardwood, even softwood cuttings... each of these have slightly different parameters for success, as well as “cause and effect” as triggered by environment/timing.. ‘tis just good to know these things..

As I’ve said before.. everyone’s cuttings “game” is different and is made up of a compilation of empirical data based on experiences/observations and pieces of knowledge/information we’ve read or has been passed to us...

Take MANY..

Get your “cuttings game” swol, bro.

Thank you.

Softwood = current years growth
Semi hardwood = current years growth after it starts to turn brown
Hardwood = last year's growth

???

 

[penumbra]

Magnolia soulangiana, saucer magnolia. Pink flowers next week.