The common trumpet tree (Catalpa bignonioides) is often confused with the angel's trumpet because of the very similar name. In fact, however, they are completely different plant species. In the case of the trumpet tree, it is up to 15 meters (and very wide). deciduous deciduous tree with large, heart-shaped leaves and showy white flowers. The tree, originally from the USA, can be propagated quite easily using seeds, cuttings or layering.
Summer is the best time to plant propagation lines for the trumpet tree
Choose semi-ripe shoots for propagation by cuttings
If you want to propagate your trumpet tree from cuttings, it is best to choose half-ripe shoots about ten centimeters long in July / August.
- Hold the cutting surface at a slight angle,
- this makes it easier for the still rootless cuttings to absorb water.
- Remove all but the top pair of leaves.
- If the leaves are very large, you can cut them in half.
- As a result, less water evaporates from the leaves.
- Dip the cut section in a rooting powder.
- Now plant the prepared cuttings in a pot with potting soil.
- Place the little plant in a light, but not directly sunny and warm place,
- for example on a window sill.
- Keep the substrate slightly moist but not wet.
Overwinter the cuttings indoors, the still very sensitive little plant should not survive the cold season outside. It is best to keep the young tree in a pot for at least two to three years, as trumpet trees only become winter-proof with age.
Ball Trumpet Tree only by grafting
However, if you wish to propagate a ball trumpet tree, please note that these varieties are only created by grafting (i.e. grafting). So you have to bud a shoot, for example of the popular variety 'Nana', onto a substrate. The common trumpet tree is usually used for this.
Older specimens form sinkers
Older trumpet trees often form sinkers that root themselves and grow on the ground. Pulling offshoots from them is very easy: you only have to cut the (rooted) young plants from the mother plant and continue to treat them like cuttings. However, it makes little sense to leave the offshoots to root alone: on the one hand, the young trumpet trees often do not survive a typical German winter, on the other hand, the very large and wide-growing trees and shrubs should not grow too close together and thus compete with each other for light and nutrients.
tips
Even easier than the propagation of cuttings is the propagation of (self-grown or purchased) seeds. Trumpet trees produce seed pods that turn brown when ripe.