The willow is one of the few trees and shrubs that can be easily and successfully propagated with shoots. This property enables a quick greening of the garden, because the freshly grown young plants throw off new material for cuttings in the first year.
Willow branches root best in June or July
cut cuttings
Willow branches can be successfully rooted between June and July, because the mild climate here provides optimal growth conditions. Take cuttings from the desired tree. Select shoots whose bark is already slightly woody. Thin twigs are suitable for edging beds and hedges. For this purpose, you can shorten the branches to 25 to 30 centimeters.
If you want to grow a standard, choose thicker branches with a length of 80 centimeters. Perennial shoots can also be used, because root formation is very successful in willows. Note that the sal willow (Salix caprea) is under protection and you can therefore take cuttings from trees in nature.
plant cuttings
Place the cut branches in a vase of fresh water. Change this about every three days to prevent germs from developing. After just a few days, you can plant the willow branches at the desired location in the garden.
How to do it right:
- Loosen the soil well and enrich with compost
- stick the rooted willow branch directly into the ground
- ensure regular watering
tips
Willow water contains the growth hormone auxin. It supports cuttings in rooting.
weaving willows
When the branches are still flexible, they can be used to make willow braids. If the shoots have lost their flexibility, place them completely in a water bath for some time. A wire will help keep the bent shoots in shape.
maintenance
The first cut takes place in the year of planting, which you can carry out between October and March of the following year. If you wish, you can use the rods again to propagate cuttings. In the first two years, the young willow attaches great importance to an adequate supply of nutrients and regular watering. If it is well established at the site, it hardly needs any attention. Their root system is able to penetrate into deeper soil layers.