If you have the time and patience, you can grow a gingko tree yourself from a cutting. But for this you need shoots of a healthy and strong plant. Cut several offshoots at once, the success rate is low.
Only a few of the offshoots actually root
When and how are the cuttings cut?
Ideally, cut your offshoots when the shoots slowly begin to lignify. You can tell by the brown discoloration. This usually happens in June or July. If the shoots are too soft, then they rot easily, if they are already too hard, then they take root badly.
Cut the selected shoots about 20 to 30 centimeters long just below a node or leaf base and remove the bottom leaf. At the top, cut back the shoot so far that only the solid shoot with two to three leaves remains. He should now be about eight to ten centimeters long.
How are the offshoots maintained?
Even under good growing conditions, only about 30 percent of the cut cuttings take root. Use a special growing medium or a mixture of peat and sand. Before inserting the cuttings, treat the lower cut surface with rooting powder. Then place the seed pots (€16.68) in a warm, bright place out of direct sunlight.
Now keep your offshoots evenly moist, a plastic film or hood can be helpful. It reduces the evaporation of moisture, but must not touch the cuttings. Be sure to air your cuttings regularly, otherwise they will easily begin to rot or mold. In the first winter, the young ginkgoes are not yet hardy.
The essentials in brief:
- Cut shoots just below a knot just before woody growth
- remove bottom sheet
- cut off the soft tip
- Leave 2-3 leaves
- Dip bottom end in rooting powder
- Stick offshoots in the growing substrate
- put in a warm, bright place
- keep evenly moist
tips
Consistent heat and humidity and protection from mold and rot are important for successful rooting of your cuttings.