HINOKI CYPRESS ROOT GAMBLE

Bud-Bonsai · White Belt Joined: 30 Apr 2008 Posts: 7

I've successfully rooted a large branch before and am taking a gamble with a large Hinoki Cypress cutting. Orignally, I tried to air layer the branch but could see the sphagnum moss had dried out in all this sun (even in spite of watering). I winded up removing the branch as there was some scarred bark, removing some more cambium and sticking the whole base in sand. I mist the leaves and keep the sand moist and I'm hoping it may root. Maybe yes, maybe no.
I heard of one case where a Hinoki Cypress was successfully air layered in just 3 weeks so I assume sometimes you may get lucky with these plants.
Any idea how long it would take for leaves to turn brown if the cutting doesn't succeed? My plan is just to leave the cutting and keep it moist but I did think of mixing some rooter hormone in with the water.
My success rate with either air layerings of small cuttings is poor but I have indeed successfully rooted a large branch that developed tap roots and feeder roots from zilch.

imholte · Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 11:30 pm Post subject: Re: HINOKI CYPRESS ROOT GAMBLE

I have cuttings off a juniper that are 6 months old and have no roots yet, but are still green and growing. The key is to keep the foliage moist but dont let the medium get too wet or you are asking for rot problems. Also keep them out of the drying sun and wind.

Bud-Bonsai · White Belt Joined: 30 Apr 2008 Posts: 7

I very nearly had success with a large Chinese Juniper cutting. It was stuck in sand and gifted to me as a cutting around last August and here is what happened that's odd: At first, the cutting went a bit brown but much later on I noticed it got green again. After many weeks it also got firm in its pot.
Later, some really harsh winds came and one day I noticed the cutting was rocking in its pot. In very early Spring I carefully removed the cutting but could see no roots at all - except two tiny hair roots. Due to the wind, I tried planting it in the ground and that killed it outright. 4 weeks later the foliage had turned brown. It was a shame as I think if I'd protected the cutting better from the wind it could maybe have rooted.
However, there is another large branch of a deciduous tree that grew a huge rootball over winter. I stuck it in the ground and left it and by Spring it was budding. It is now a tree in its own right and growing leaves all over.
I'll try and keep the Hinki cuttings moist and out of any wind and keep misting it too.