I have a geralton Wax which was planted too close to a wattle. The wattle has since been removed and for 3 years I have quietly pruned the GW regularly. However despite my efforts it only has healthy top growth and the skinny bare branches underneath that mean the bush remains unattractive and unbalanced. Should I simply pull it out or will persistence over time pay off do you think? any advice appreciated.
Prune it back to a twig. If healthy they resprout very well. Use the prunings as cuttings - you'll be surprised how easy they are to grow, even in a windowsill.
Thanks nathan. You do mean I should take all the green off it and leave a bare stick? I will take some cuttings, hadn't realised they were easy to strike.
yeah, back to a stick, otherwise it will tend to grow where the leaves are. I've taken them back to a piece of wood and root 10cm long, repotted them and they've grown like the clappers (with suitable watering).
Lou, I guess if the alternative is pulling them out, then you have nothing to lose?!
Late Winter is a good time to propagate them, in a 50:50 sand/peat mix. It does take a good while for them to root, so don't be too impatient with them.
I strike them any time they are growing. I also use 25% 7mm blue metal screens / 75% really cheap potting mix (the cheapest stuff doesn't tend to have much fertilizer in it, which is beneficial for reliable striknig). I also strike them individually in 1 inch clear polystyrene crack pots.
nathanhurst
lou_austOriginal Author
nathanhurst
Liatris
nathanhurst