I acquired some Red Mulberry (Morus rubra) branches from a pruning the other day which I am using to try to start some cuttings!
I am excited to grow some Mulberry trees because they are prolific fruiters and are amazing fodder trees for humans and livestock. Interestingly not only the fruit is edible, but also young shoots and young leaves are as well.
Mulberries cuttings are known to take fairly easily, which is great for me because I have not rooted many hardwood cuttings before. Some other trees which can be relatively easy to start from cuttings include willow, elderberry and fig.
I consulted my book Trees for Gardens, Orchards and Permaculture which says:
hardwood cuttings in winter... in addition some species can be propagated from softwood cuttings in summer. The use of mycorrhizal fungi spores as a cuttings dip is reported to increase the success rate.
And then going to one of my favorite online sources: Plants for a Future database:
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Plant out in spring. A good percentage take, though they sometimes fail to thrive[78, 113]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, 25 - 30cm with a heel of 2 year old wood, autumn or early spring in a cold frame or a shady bed outside[78, 113,200]. Bury the cuttings to threequarters of their depth.
This is a bit more detailed which is helpful. I am especially thankful that they suggest early spring is a good time since that is right now.
I am going with the suggestion to use last years growth but also some cuttings of two years growth to see if those root as well.
I looked for the bud scale scar which is a ring around the branch indicating the place where one year's growth stopped and the next began. It can be in the middle of a twig or at the branch. Here is one:
I can count years back from the tip of the branch to previous years.
The next step was cutting the branches into cuttings below the bud scale scar to include some "heel" of the previous year's growth. The bud scale scar is where roots will most likely form.
The best looking and long enough pieces were chosen, then cleaned up by trimming off side branches and trimming long branches to appropriate size.
I soaked the cuttings in water overnight to hydrate them. My friend just gave me a tip that he soaks his cuttings in water with some kelp juice for a boost.. interesting!
The next morning I dipped the cuttings into some honey water. I have read that honey is a useful natural rooting hormone. I would rather use something natural than buying a chemical powder if I have the option. It has worked well for me in the past with softwood cuttings of shrubs but I have not tried it with hardwood tree cuttings before now.
EDIT: I was at a workshop for propagation shortly after making this post and asked about honey as a rooting hormone. Another attendee said that honey is only good for anti-bacterial not rooting hormone. Nevertheless there is info online that it is good for rooting hormone, so I will do some more research on this. If anyone knows the answer please let me know in the comments!
In the meantime I am making some willow water which I will be using to water my cuttings regularly, since willow has a natural rooting hormone that can be extracted. - END EDIT
And finally they are stuck in pots which will be their new home for a while. Hopefully some will root! I will keep you posted.
Who is @sagescrub?
I am a ex-suburbanite turned permaculture homesteader. Follow my journey and I will share what I know and am learning along the way. You can learn more about me in my re-introducing @sagescrub post. Wishing you abundance in your life!
Know that I am likely NOT an expert on the subjects I present. Please do your own research and be your own expert!
