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From: 2141smh@aluxe.UUCP (henning)
Newsgroups: net.garden
Subject: Re: Starting trees from seeds
Message-ID: <709@aluxe.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 18-Feb-85 08:36:26 EST
Article-I.D.: aluxe.709
Posted: Mon Feb 18 08:36:26 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 19-Feb-85 08:30:55 EST
References: <562@decwrl.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Allentown, PA
Lines: 34

> Somewhat taken aback by the high cost of tree saplings, I would like to try 
> my hand at starting trees from seeds.  Has anyone out there had any 
> experience witht this?  (How should the seeds be stored and prepared? 
> Should they be started inside and when? ...)  In particular I'd like to 

****                                                                 ****
From the keys of Steve Henning, AT&T Bell Labs, Reading, PA aluxe!2141smh

Deciduous trees like dogwoods and maples are started from "softwood cuttings".
That means that the twigs are cut in spring and rooted under glass or in poly
bags. The cuttings are usually pencil size or slightly larger with at least
2 buds.  For more information, look for books on "Plant propagation".  A
classic book is one called "Plant Propagation Practices" by Wells.  If you
do use seeds, the plant will not come true to the parent.  For example,
dogwoods will revert to the plain white form and Japanese maples will
revert to a plainer less ornate leaf since the cultivated forms are selected
forms that are preserved through asexual propagation.
Quotes from Wells

Acer palmatus atropurpureum -- take cuttings in June to July from softwood.
Use 4 parts sphagnum peat moss and 1 part sand for the rooting medium.
Use a light or heavy wound.  Use 2% IBA hormone.  Use soft to moderately form
growing tips from current season's growth. Take before current season's
growth stops.  Strong hormones may be beneficial.

Cornus floridii rubra -- take cuttings in June to July from softwood tips.
Use 2 parts sphagnum peat moss and 1 part sand for the rooting medium.
Use a heavy wound.  Use an H3 hormone with IBA.  Rooted Cornus are very
difficult to overwinter.

The rooting of these trees is not trivial and I personally find the
cultivated cuttings are a real bargain.  The trick is getting the rooted
cuttings and not dug plants.  Rooted cuttings are sold bare root and are
very cheap.  Balled and burlaped plants are very expensive.