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Forsythia (Forsythia) welcome spring with their bright yellow flowers. You don't make any special demands on soil and location. They are also easy to propagate with cuttings or offshoots.
In a nutshell
- Cut cuttings in winter or in summer
- Propagation with offshoots takes place after flowering
- transplant young forsythia to the designated place after about a year
cuttings
The ideal time for cutting cuttings is in December and January. In this way, the cuttings can take root by May and sprout again in the merry month. If you missed this point in time, you can still multiply your forsythia in July.
To cut
Forsythia sticks are cut from annual shoots. You acknowledge these:
- olive green bark
- missing branches
Since long, straight shoots are best for propagating forsythia, look for them and cut them off at the point of attachment with pruning shears. When choosing, be careful not to disfigure the crown.
Prepare
In the second step, shorten the cut shoots to the optimal length for the cuttings. Proceed as follows:
- Cut off the shoot tip with a straight cut above the last pair of buds
- Make a second diagonal cut below a pair of buds
- Cutting length: about 20 centimeters (= length of the garden shears)
- if cut later (after flowering): remove leaves
Notice: Mark the direction of growth with the straight or diagonal cut at the lower end of the cutting.
Put
When setting the cuttings, you have various options. If the weather permits, you can put the sticks directly into the ground. However, you should only do this if it is not frozen or no more ground frost is to be expected. Alternatively, put the forsythia offspring in small pots. The third option is to store the shoots for a short time in order to successfully propagate the forsythia. To do this, wrap them in a box of damp sand.
cuttings in the garden
So that the cuttings can root more easily, you should loosen up a piece of soil in the garden. It is important that the soil for propagating the forsythia is rich in humus and evenly moist. The location should be slightly shady so that the young forsythia do not dry out, especially during the rooting period. Insert the logs into the ground as follows:
- Insert the sticks in the direction of growth (sloping end is at the bottom)
- Insertion depth: only the top pair of buds protrudes
- Distance: about 30 centimeters
- staggered if there are several rows
Notice: After a year, the sticks have grown into young forsythia bushes, which you can move to the intended place in the sun.
cuttings in the pot
For propagation in the pot, fill it with growing substrate. Stick the cuttings in a circle in the direction of growth in the soil. The distance between the sticks should be about three centimetres. As in the field, the cutting only sticks out two fingers from the ground. Then water the forsythia offspring well and place the pot in a bright place without direct sunlight. This is how easy it is to multiply the forsythia in the pot.
offshoot
Since forsythia shoots quickly form roots when they come into contact with the ground, the shrubs are also suitable for propagation with offshoots (layers). Since the forsythia roots best at a soil temperature of 20 degrees Celsius, you should only use this form of propagation after flowering. Proceed as follows:
- try pulling the flexible shoot close to the ground onto the ground
- mark the point in contact with the ground
- Remove bark at the marked spot (a few centimeters long)
- pull the branch to the ground
- Anchor with wire pegs and cover with soil
- Tie the tip of the shoot to a wooden stick (looks up) and water lightly
After about a year, the offshoot will have formed enough roots of its own to be self-sufficient. Now you can disconnect from the mother plant and plant the young shrub in the desired spot in the garden. This is how you have propagated your forsythia easily and healthily.
frequently asked Questions
Can I put cuttings in the pot outside?Yes, that is possible. However, they are only allowed outside when no more frosts are to be expected. You should therefore wait until mid-May to put them out.
What care do sticks need?In the pot as well as in the garden, you should make sure that the cuttings are constantly supplied with water. Therefore, never let the substrate or soil dry out completely, but keep the soil evenly moist in order to optimally propagate the forsythia.
Can I also dig a small channel for the offshoot?A small gutter is not absolutely necessary, but it doesn't hurt either. Since the forsythia roots well to the ground, it is sufficient if the channel is only a few centimeters deep.