noissee

I was trimming on a tree, and I decided to try rooting a cutting almost 3/4 of an inch thick. put it in a well draining mix with chopped sphagnum, and used rooting powder.
Has any body had success with larger maple cuttings? This is a common green variety, nothing special.
thanks,
nick.

Mattbonsai

Hi Nick,

I have tried larger cuttings with Cornus (Dogwood) and they are one of the easier plants to propagate by cuttings, and all of these failed.

Now I'm not saying give up on it, because that would be pointless, I'd give it a go, but don't get your hopes up to it succeeding.

I'd put a sandwich bag over the top aswell to retain moisture, especially at this time of year.

-Matt-

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treebeard55

I haven't tried any maple cuttings yet, so am curious to see how your effort turns out.

One thought: you say this is the regular green JM, the species. C.p., I would think this might root a little more easily than a cultivar, since nobody has been indirectly tweaking its genes.

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Steve Moore
http://hoosierbonsai.blogspot.com

The most important bonsai tool is your brain.

noissee

yes, from what I've read, this has much more chance than a cultivar or a red-leafed variety. I have a tupperware thing over the top of it, with one side propped up about a centimeter. Do you think it's necessary to let air in?

clwagner167

Yes, it does need air. The easiest way to go about it is to use a clear plastic bag, such as a food storage bag. Use the bag as a tent and cut holes around the mid-section of the bag about 1"- 2" in diameter depending on the size of the bag.

The clear bag will allow light for photosynthesis, the holes will let in air and you will still be able to retain moisture. But, watch the direct hot sun for sure; you don't want to bake it.

Hope this helps..

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treebeard55

Yes, a clear plastic bag will let in more light than the Tupperware container, and your tree still needs it.

An alternative to cutting a few holes is to remove the bag for 30-60 minutes each day. Either way, air circulation will inhibit fungus and replenish the gases around the tree.

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Treebeard 55
Steve Moore
http://hoosierbonsai.blogspot.com

The most important bonsai tool is your brain.

Ravenna

Hi Nick,

I think many palmatums are difficult to grow from cuttings which is why many varieties are sold as grafts. But if you have a vigorous cultivar it may work: in my book on plant propagation they suggest soft-wood cuttings though and it sounds as if your cutting is already old wood. I know that one bonsaiist often air layers one of his acer palmatums (don't know what variety it is) but that might be an option too if you want to have a new plant with thicker trunk from the word "go".

Let us know how you are faring...

noissee

I already have an air-layer on this tree, and I thought I would simply see how a larger cutting would fare.
Thanks for all the info, but this cutting is crispy and sans-roots.