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Taking a cutting from Acer Palmatum Dissectum

theresa.fairbrasstheresa.fairbrass Posts: 2
in Problem solving
I have one shot at successfully taking a cutting from my late sister's much-loved Acer Palmatum Dissectum bush before the house is sold.  Can anyone advise how I go about this, I am not a knowledgeable gardener and need some hand-holding on this one! Where do I take the cutting from (currently in full leaf) what do I do with it once I have the cutting, how to nurture it to successfully create a lovely reminder of her. 

Posts

  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,210
    I don't think success is in any way guaranteed - most Acers are grafted.  But clearly it's worth a shot in this case.

    I found this on the Internet:  
    https://www.hunker.com/12001610/how-to-start-a-cutting-from-a-japanese-maple-tree
    - which is reasonably comprehensive.  You'll need a pot (preferably clay), and some "open compost" (they say).  If you buy a bag of "John Innes soil-based seed & cutting compost" and some Perlite or grit (often sold as Alpine grit in the garden centre - it's tiny granite chippings), and mix them together 50:50 that will give you the right consistency.  You'll need fresh hormone rooting powder, also available from a garden centre.

    They say "prod with a pencil to see if it's rooted", but I think you'll be in danger of damaging the roots if you do so.  I'd wait patiently until you can see a root poking out of the hole in the bottom of the pot.  

    You could take several cuttings, to increase your chance of success...

    Why not take a lot of photos before you take the cuttings, so you have those to remember a beautiful tree and a precious person, even if the cuttings fail?
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 9,922
    Maybe buy a cheap acer from wherever is selling cheap acers, cut the old graft off and graft on a bit from your tree?
    Tradition is just peer pressure from dead people
  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    It would have to be a hardwood cutting and this is the wrong time of year for that (autumn being the right time). Even then there will be a very high failure rate. Much easier on your emotions to go to the garden centre and buy yourself the same tree. That way you will not be devastated when/if the cuttings fail. 
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
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