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Rooting Lonicera

19 years ago

I ordinarily don't try anything too adventurous, but a friend offered some cuttings of the native Lonicera sempervirens, and I took them, because I read they're easy to root. I have them stuck in small pots of moist perlite, and they're sitting in my kitchen window, in little ziploc baggies to keep it all moist.

Is this the right way to root this? How long will it take before roots form? I'm seeing a lot of condensation on the inside of the bags and worry that I'm going to cause this to rot. Do I open it from time to time to let in more air or something?

I can't believe I am actually worrying about honeysuckle. If I can't root these, there is no hope for me, right?

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Comments (4)

zebz
19 years ago
Suja,

I found a piece that has some roots, but so far just a little bit of top growth. If you want it, we can work out somewhere for you to pick it up.

zee
ladyslppr
19 years ago
I find it isn't that easy to root Lonicera sempervirens. The few times I have succesfully done it the cuttings took months to root. I have done it with cuttings placed in potting soil and kept moist. I didn't use a plastic bag, and generally don't use one for cuttings. I think if the cuttings have survived a week or two in the bag they could survive out of the bag and maybe that would reduce the chance for mold problems. You will know the cuttings have developed roots when you see new vigorous growth on top. Sometimes you can see new leaves without roots, but the leaves will generally be stunted.
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spanaval
Original Author
19 years ago
Zee, let's leave it to grow out a little if you don't mind, and I'll take it after we know for sure that I won't kill it. By then, we'll know how my rooting experiment has gone.

Are you going to be able to come to Henrietta's in about a month's time for clean-up day (posted on MAG forum)? If not, there is always the fall swap, in case we can't work out a convenient time/place.

Ladyslipper, thank you for the rooting information. I'm not sure I have the patience to coddle anything for months, but I can certainly leave it alone and see what happens. I'll take it out of the bag from time to time and dry it out, to minimize potential mold problems.
zebz
19 years ago
Don't think I'll be able to help at Henrietta's. Unfortunately for me, the person who drove to the swap is generally very busy.

But I will pamper the rooted piece for you.

zee

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