Introduction:
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| Honeysuckle http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honeysuckle |
Lonicera spp. known as honeysuckle is native to the Northern Hemisphere. There
are over 180 species and it can be found in both shrub and vine form (1). It
can have both decorative fruit and trumpet shaped flowers that can range from
white to yellow to red (1). The plant is used mostly for its ability to give
cover while also being aesthetically pleasing and very attractive for
pollinators. They are also good for erosion prevention on slopes and banks (1).
The most widely used way to propagate the plant is through cuttings.
Process:
Taking cuttings from a
honey suckle plant is done during late fall or mid-winter. The best cuttings
are around 5 inches long of the youngest or most recently growing tissue. If
you are taking multiple cuttings, keep the cut ends from drying out by wrapping
them in a wet paper towel or placing them in a glass of water. (2)
After
the cuttings are taken, place them in pots or containers that allow the media
to drain well. A soil-free media should be used. This means it is equally parts
perlite, vermiculite, peat moss, and sand. This allows the cuttings to have a
bacteria-free environment and prevents disease or contamination from soil. This
media also allows for adequate water to be held and available for the cuttings.
(3)
Before
placing the cuttings into the media, they need to be prepared. The leaves on
the bottom two or three inches should be pinched off because this is the part
that is going under the soil and the leaves will only rot and leave an
opportunity for the cutting to be exposed to disease. The end being placed in
the soil should first be dipped in a rooting hormone. A study done in China on
certain species of honeysuckle showed that the most efficient root-promoting
hormone treatment was soaking the ends in NAA at 75 µg/ml (4). The optimum time
for soaking the cuttings was around 30 to 40 minutes (4). The cuttings can then be placed into the media
so that the hormone treated end is completely immersed in the soil.
The
media should be kept moist. If the cuttings are not being placed in a
greenhouse, a greenhouse setting can be mimicked by placing a clear plastic bag
or container over the pots to keep a constant temperature or moisture. The
temperature should be kept constant around 65 to 75 degrees. Honeysuckle plants
usually like to be kept in indirect but bright sunlight and they should be misted
frequently to keep a consistent moisture level. Any leaves that die should be
removed to prevent the cuttings from getting diseased. (3)
In
about three weeks the roots should start to form and this can be tested by
pulling on the cuttings gently. If there is resistance, most likely roots have
formed, if not allow it more time under the same conditions.
Other Methods:
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| This picture shows the method of Layering http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Layering |
Another common method of propagating
honeysuckle is layering which involves bending the end of a shoot or vine so
that a good portion of it is underground but the top couple inches are above
ground. This method usually takes much longer, if done in Spring, the part of
the shoot underground may form roots by the end of the season. These are the
only two methods of propagation commonly used. Most other methods would be
impractical because of the cost or the time it would take compared to taking
cuttings. (5)
Sources:
(1) -"About Honeysuckle." About
Honeysuckle. AboutGardenPlants.com, 2004. Web. 17 Feb. 2013.
(2) - Khan, Tanya. "How to Propagate
Honeysuckle From Cuttings." EHow. Demand Media, 12 Apr. 2011.
Web. 17 Feb. 2013.
(3) - Reiley, Melissa. "How to Root
Honeysuckle Plants From Cuttings." GardenGuides. Demand Media,
2010. Web. 17 Feb. 2013.
(4) - Xu HongYan (2004). "Technology
for rapid propagation of Japanese honeysuckle [<i>Lonicera
japonica</i>].". Xinan nongye daxue xuebao (1000-2642), 26 (2), p. 116.
(5) - "Honeysuckle Vine Propagation
Methods." DIY Home Improvement Information. N.p., 2011. Web.
17 Feb. 2013.
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