Propagation / Rooting
There are two optimal times of the year to root English Boxwoods. Late February / early March after the major freezes of winter are over and before any new growth comes out is an excellent time. The other optimal rooting period is late June or early July after the new growth has matured. Our experiences of rooting at English Boxwoods of Virginia has shown us that both of these times are equally effective. The timing may be based on when you pluck your plants (SEE PLUCKING PAPER). An effective sequence is to pluck plants in March prior to spring growth, then use these cuttings for rooting at the same time. Plucking in July will NOT harm plants, if done properly, and the cuttings may be used to start new plants.
Cuttings can be taken from established plants at either of these times. Taking these cuttings accomplishes two purposes. It thins the parent plant, allowing light and air to circulate within it, and secondly, it obviously gives the beginnings of some fine new plants. One reason to root in February is that the parent plant fills in very quickly, with new growth, any gaps created by the thinning process. If July is chosen as the thinning / rooting time, one has to wait almost nine months before the new growth appears. A small flush may occur in the fall, but this is typically not a significant growth period nor a desirable time to encourage new growth. New growth in the fall is very easily damaged by early frost and freezes. Although this damage does not hurt the plant, it affects its appearance until the spring growth covers it up.
On a commercial basis where the ideal conditions above do not exist, cuttings can be rooted in the direct sun of July and August. While the cuttings are being put in they are continually kept moist, and are covered with shade cloth constantly. An automatic watering system mists the plants three to four times a day in the initial stages. This schedule is gradually reduced over time. Shade cloth supported by hoops, shades the plants from the direct rays of the sun
Regardless of the location of the rooting beds, cuttings develop roots very quickly. In mid summer roots are often visible on a cutting two or three weeks after they have been placed in the beds. Within six weeks cuttings are often "difficult to pull up" which indicates that they do not need to be pulled up, you know that the roots are there. For optimal growth, cuttings should be removed from the rooting beds and placed in a more permanent location prior to their spring flush of growth. March is an excellent time to transplant while the cuttings are still dormant. They will then flush with the coming of spring. It is best to transplant either before the new growth flushes or after it has hardened off around July 1.
Stephen D. Southall
English Boxwoods of Virginia
