Taxodium Distichum cuttings - an experiment

[Ray M]

Hi everyone,
I thought I would try this experiment. After cutting back my twin trunk Swampy I was left with some material that inspired me to try something different. The original thread that these cuttings came from is Twin Trunk

After cutting the tree back I bound the cutting together and placed the in a bucket of water. The reason for binding them was to create some more weight as they floated very easily. They were placed in a bucket of Seasol on November 2014. I replaced the Seasol a couple of time then left them is the bucket of water until yesterday.

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Sit back now and see if it works.

Regards Ray

[lackhand]

Great idea, Ray. I'll be interested to see how it pans out for you. I have a hunch they will be just fine.

A little surprising that they sat in the water happily for that long.

[Ray M]

Great idea, Ray. I'll be interested to see how it pans out for you. I have a hunch they will be just fine.

A little surprising that they sat in the water happily for that long.

Hi Karl,
Yes, I was also. Because it was just an experiment I left them to see if they would develop any roots. There was no sign of roots but there was new foliage develop on the four of them. When I cut the edge back I was pleased to see the health of the cambium tissue. Time will tell. I will let you know if they live or die.

Regards Ray

[JPG]

It will be interesting to see what happens. Does the muck harden? I imagine it would if it dried out. If so it might restrict any roots developing.

[Ray M]

It will be interesting to see what happens. Does the muck harden? I imagine it would if it dried out. If so it might restrict any roots developing.

Hi JPG,
As long as the watering is kept up to the tree it will be fine. This is the same mixture as I use for ground layering. How Why to Ground Layer

The recent thread I did on a Crabapple uses the same mix. Crabapple

Regards Ray

[fredman]

Very interesting Ray. Eagerly awaiting the outcome
A question about the Why - How - To Ground Layer in Wiki...... How do you know that there is enough roots? Do you remove some of the muck mix to be sure? That is a bit risky is it not?

[Ray M]

A question about the Why - How - To Ground Layer in Wiki...... How do you know that there is enough roots? Do you remove some of the muck mix to be sure? That is a bit risky is it not?

Hi fredman,
Using the split pot method, I would normally leave the layer for 3 months. Quite often you will see roots appearing at the top of the pot, or just under the soil.
This is a new method I am using now. Instead of using a pot I am using the coarse mesh, the same mesh as used to cover the drain holes in pots.

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Using the mesh allows one to see when the roots are appearing out the sides.

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This layer is most probably ready to come off. When I can, I'll take the layer off and show you some photos. I will update the WIKI page with this information as soon as I can.

Regards Ray

[Bonsai Boy]

Hi Ray.

Thank you very much for your advice,i have six cuttings and can now try out your method and hope for the best.
Here in windang just south of the gong my swampy never looses his leaves and grows at an all time rush.

Once again thank you very much for your valuable help .

Co

[Ray M]

Hi Ray.

Thank you very much for your advice,i have six cuttings and can now try out your method and hope for the best.
Here in windang just south of the gong my swampy never looses his leaves and grows at an all time rush.

Once again thank you very much for your valuable help .

Co

Hi Colin,
That's amazing mate. Were most probably 100km from each other and there is so much difference in growing habits. My Swampy loses all it's leaves.

Regards Ray

[Elmar]

I will update the WIKI page with this information as soon as I can.
Regards Ray

Noice Ray! A really simple yet innovative change that looks like it would have a significant impact... and take more of the guesswork out of the process. Great idea!

Thank you for sharing, again!

[fredman]

The split method is a great idea. Very innovative thinking Ray. I love feeding off you

[Reklaw]

So what was the end result of this experiment Ray?

[Watto]

Good question, I think we would all like to know if you wouldn't mind Ray.

[Paul W]

R.I.P