advice needed on taking cuttings

[peterb]

Hi ALL
2 questions. no.1 when is the best time to take hinoki cypress cuttings and should they be heel cuttings and no2 how and when does one take pride of india cuttings sorry don,t know its latin name
regards
peterb

[shibui]

Hi Peterb,
Hinoki cypress will strike at any time of year but will root faster in the warmer months so now would be a good time. Most propagators do not use heel cuttings these days - excess wood and damaged material caused when tearing heel cuttings can cause problems but there is a slight increase in rooting if the collar around the base of the shoot is intact.
Cuttings will need high humidity until roots form. Automatic misting will improve rates but you can get good results by covering cuttings with a plastic bag or cut off plastic bottle.

Pride of India seems to refer to Crepe Myrtle -Lagestromia indica. It strikes easily from hard wood cuttings in winter but should strike from soft or semi soft cuttings in summer if you can keep the humidity up enough.

Good luck.

[peterb]

thanks for the advice mate will get onto those cypress cuttings right away, would prefer to buy nursery stock but seems pretty hard to come by
regards
peterb