Propagating an elderberry bush does not require extensive gardening experience. With cuttings, even the beginner can do it. Sowing, on the other hand, is a little tricky. Here you will familiarize yourself with both methods.

Precise instructions for the propagation of cuttings

In midsummer, the elder bush provides the optimal starting material for propagation, because the plant energy pulsates right up to the shoot tips. For offshoots, choose only healthy specimens that are semi-lignified and have multiple leaf nodes. A leaf knot can usually be recognized by a thickening under the bark. The narrower the distance between the leaf nodes, the more vital the cutting is.

  • cut one or more cuttings with a length of 10-15 centimeters
  • defoliate the lower half of the shoot
  • Halve the top half of the leaves
  • fill small pots with lean substrate, such as peat sand or uniform soil
  • Use 1-2 cuttings each so that at least 1 knot is still visible

The potting soil is pressed down so that no cavities form. After watering, it's a good idea to put a plastic bag over each pot. Long matches act as spacers. Ideally, a greenhouse is available. Rooting takes place quickly in a warm, semi-shady location. The substrate must not dry out during this time. A first budding signals the successful course of propagation.

Properly care for cuttings until planting out

If the starting signal for propagation is given early in summer, a young elderberry bush will have developed from the cutting by autumn. Provided with a strong root system, nothing speaks against planting this year.

If the young plant is not yet stable enough to overwinter outdoors, it will be watered regularly until spring. Repeated transplanting into larger pots may be necessary. Commercial potting soil can be used as a substrate. In addition, a dose of organic liquid fertilizer from March feeds your offspring to the point where they can be planted out from April/May.

This is how propagation succeeds by sowing

Unlike propagation from cuttings, propagating from seed is a bit tricky. This circumstance is due to the fact that the seeds are among the cold germs and, as berry seeds, are also provided with a germination inhibition. Pre-treatment is therefore required before the classic work steps of sowing can be carried out:

  • Soak the seeds, cleaned from the pulp, for 1 day in 2% potassium nitrate from the pharmacy
  • alternatively soak in warm water for 48 hours
  • fill a plastic bag with wet sand and the elderberry seeds

Following this cold stimulus, the seeds are taken out of the refrigerator and sown in peat sand. At a constant temperature of 20 degrees Celsius, germination begins quickly.

tips and tricks

To promote the rooting of cuttings or seedlings, clever hobby gardeners spread a wafer-thin layer of compost on the bottom of the seed pot. The little plants will work twice as hard to reach the coveted nutrients with their roots.

GTH

Category:

Vegetable garden