That's not the only way to propagate actually. My parents own a microbiology laboratory. Plant tissue culture is a way to grow just about any kind of plant from just a singular plant cell, though the most commonly used type of cells in this process are meristematic tissue such as the root tip and axillary bud tips. All plants have this kind of tissue. To have such a narrow-minded field of thought is a detriment only to yourselves. Tissue culture is actually better anyway, so you don't have to destroy an entire bud and root tissue is always plentiful. It also has a higher success rate than when you just try to propagate at home. The tissue culture process can easily be replicated at home as long as a sterile environment is provided. All you really need is a medium to suspend the tissue culture in such as agar, in a temperature controlled environment. Though the suspension medium differs greatly from what kind of plant is being produced. Orchids, for example, require higher levels of malto-detrixin and banana powder to successfully grow. Since there's not much tissue culture done of Ficus lyrata, it would be necessary to find the right suspension medium that yields the highest rates of cell division.

I have heard of leaf-bud cuttings being used on some varieties of rhododendrons. They contain the leaf blade, the petiole, and a short piece of stem containing an axillary bud. They are taken from semi-hardwood cuttings that are not dormant. They are done with a rooting hormone much the same as stem cuttings: insert bud ½ -1" into sterile media, use mist and bottom heat. Stem cuttings are the most common method of propagating rhododendrons. When stem cuttings are not commercially viable, then tissue culture is used. Here is a link that might be useful: Rhododendron propagation

Looks like the only Lysionotus VB has right now is L. pauciflorus. L.montanus is a subspecies of L.pauciflorus - and I coudn't find the photo of it anywhere. I saw L.pauciflorus sp.pauciflorus on shows - this is the one Rob sells right now. The best place in US to grow it outside- is around Bay area in SF. You probably can grow it in MA in the light shade after the danger of morning frost is passed. It is a pretty tough plant and should do OK. The yellow Lysionotus 'Pudding' is a commercial hybrid, I think it came from Japan. It is easy to grow. It every so often appears on ebay. There is another variety of L.pauciflorus - L.'Selby"- very small leaved one - rarely blooms, but when it does - it is just another paucifloris. MA gesneriad enthusiasts belong to New England chapter - and like everybody else are sitting put and not meeting. They probably have some kind of online - zoom - whatever - meetings - find them anyway. They have a website with email contacts - doesn't look like they updated anything for a while - but emails should be still valid. Two of the best growers of gesneriads in the whole wide world - Bob and Dee Stewarts - live in Stow, MA. They have an unbelievable collection in a greenhouse. They are also members of New England chapter. While you cannot meet them - I would recommend to try to get in virtual touch - so you can get recommendations from the people who successfully grow the same plants in the same climate. Growing gessies outside in a shade in summer is possible - the only thing - they are tasty for the wildlife and for the bugs. So - if they are not chomped by deer, not dug out by squirrels and chipmunks - and they do well - before you can bring them home - you need to think how to get rid of all the pests. May be - rhizomes only and chuck the tops. Spray the s... out of them... with some serious stuff... Have Fun! Irina

Found some more info on Mustang. Bit more info here: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/54044187/mustang-rootstock1 Here is some info on one of the breeders: http://www.jeffriesnurseries.com/colman.htm And I found the Canadian Breeders registration http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/pbrpov/cropreport/pru/app00006054e.shtml The cross is an interesting one! Prunus salicina x P. americana x P. pumilla var. besseyi Could this be a USA source? http://www.qscaping.com/20000147/Plant/20366/Mustang_Plum-Apricot