| Richard |
07-10-2009 01:42 PM |
Re: pomegranate
Hardwood or semi-hardwood cuttings anytime the stems are exhibiting growth is fine. Select straight stems about 20 inches long and 1/4 inch at the base (point of cutting off plant). Don't select a fruiting branch. Cut the base straight across, and cut the tip off at a 45-degree angle. Remove any flowers. If there are leaves, remove all leaves 3/4 of the length from the base and clip off side branches. Cut all remaining leaves in half width-wise, so the 1/2 with the leaf tip is removed. You will need some rooting hormone in gel, liquid, or powder form. If you can find some that has not been disqualified for fruiting plants -- great. If not, you can use a 50/50 mix of water and seaweed extract (contains gibberellic acid). A soil medium that provides aeration is preferred. Straight ground coir is excellent, but so is rock wool, or just a peat-based potting mix. Put the soil medium into a pot that is 8 inches high, filling it completely. Then wet it down thoroughly and let it drain. Press the soil down moderately. You probably now have a pot of damp soil that is about 1-inch below the lip -- as desired. Now take a chop stick or screw driver (etc.) and make a hole in the pot for the cutting, no deeper than 1.5 inches from the bottom. Dip your cutting in rooting hormone almost up to the point of the soil line and place it in the hole. Then press the soil in the pot gently to close the gap around the stem. Place the pot(s) in about 30% to 40% shade -- continuously. The air temperature should be between 70 F and 85 F. The soil cannot dry out -- or be soggy. The pots must be able to drain. The stems often begin sending out new growth before any significant roots have developed. Pomegranate roots easily, but give them at least 6-8 weeks before checking for roots. I'm very lazy -- I just wait until some are present at the holes in the bottom.
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