Pinus strobus broom propagation . . . at the end of summer?

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Title says it all. There is a witches broom up in the thousand islands on the side of a granite rock outcrop. I visit it each summer at the end of August during a week long family camping trip. The location would be treacherous to reach in January/February due to it being on the side of a rock outcrop - not to mention a ten hour round trip drive from home. I might be able to safely take cuttings during August while I'm there. Is there any way to successfully propagate witches broom cuttings at the end of summer? The broom is nice and dense but not exceptional. I'd be more interested in having it growing in my garden for sentimental reasons - I've been camping at that particular area in the thousand islands since I was 3 yrs old. It's a second home to me. I only found the broom a few years ago.

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Comments (7)

sc77 (6b MA)
8 years ago
You might want to consider rooting the cuttings. Pinus strobus isn't the easiest to root, but if you give yourself decent odds you should get some takes. August would be an acceptable time to try and root from cuttings. I can't see anyway to successfully graft at that time of year unless you can find a way to keep the fresh graft cool, moist, but still access to light... Maybe an air conditioned chamber!
treeguy_ny USDA z6a WNY
Original Author
8 years ago
I didn't know how well P. strobus would do from cuttings. I have rooting hormone and can set up a humidity chamber for it. We'll give it a go I guess!
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
dax will probably chime in about refrigerating them ... so hold your horses man ... lol ...

i understand the jan/feb thing ... but is there any shot at a late fall color tour ...

even if they chill to some extent.. late fall would be much shorter than august ...

if dax doesnt know.. which i highly doubt.. you could call sam at conifer kingdom ... and have him ask the master grafter there... how far you can cut the odds ... or talk with brent ... he often answers the phone anyway ...

ken
gardener365
8 years ago
Hi Evan, collect it and put the scions in the fridge until you see fall color, leaf drop on the majority of deciduous trees in your area. At that time of the year the rootstocks and all plants in the ground are again putting their energy into making roots. That's when you graft. Polish folks do the majority of their grafting during fall.

Allow the grafts to go into dormancy for at least three weeks where temps are low and up until the day of the first freeze. Prior to the first freeze or however fall season plays out so you are able to get a good three weeks in, then overwinter your grafts in a place that doesn't go below freezing if at all possible. For instance I keep my greenhouse at 34 degrees all winter long. Or, a hoophouse where at least your grafts will be kept out of the wind. Lastly and fine too, your (unheated garage.)

Dax
treeguy_ny USDA z6a WNY
Original Author
8 years ago
Good to know Dax, thanks for the info. That sounds doable! Do you recommend humidity tenting them the same way as you would for spring grafting?
gardener365
8 years ago
Absolutely . . . Dax
treeguy_ny USDA z6a WNY
Original Author
8 years ago
Now to find some understock!

Pinus strobus broom propagation . . . at the end of summer?

Comments (7)

sc77 (6b MA)

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Pinus strobus broom propagation . . . at the end of summer?

Comments (7)

sc77 (6b MA)

treeguy_ny USDA z6a WNYOriginal Author

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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

gardener365

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treeguy_ny USDA z6a WNY
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