By Carole Massey
Master Gardener
On Wednesday, July 1, Rowan County Extension Master Gardeners will conduct a Plant Propagation Workshop, 9 a.m. until noon at the Agricultural Center on Old Concord Road.
The class will be held under the Outdoor Learning Center next to the greenhouse. Space will be limited to the first 25 to call and register. Phone the Cooperative Extension office at 704-216-8970. There is a fee of $5 for materials and supplies.
A second workshop will be held on Wednesday, July 29. Register for this class also, same time, same place, same $5 fee applies.
Master Gardener Jean Lamb and other Extension Master Gardener volunteers will provide instruction and information on basic propagation techniques. Propagation of popular shrubs such as hydrangea, deutzia, Daphne, azalea, buddleia, spirea and camellia is best achieved from late June until late July when cuttings from new tip growth are green and vigorous and snap when bent. If the tip bends and does not snap, the growth is too juvenile. Also, cuttings from old wood or aged or declining shrubs will be difficult to propagate.
Shrubs should be well watered before the cuttings are taken and should be insect- and disease-free. Cuttings should be taken the morning of the workshop if at all possible. Transport soft-stem cuttings in a cooler with ice or in a container of water. Cuttings need not be excessively long. Participants are encouraged to bring enough plant material to share with others.Other recommended plants for propagation include weigela, gardenia (upright and trailing varieties), holly, Carolina jessamine, crape myrtle, roses, chaste tree, Kerria, clematis, beauty berry and coral honeysuckle.The propagation trays, once filled, will be nurtured in the Master Gardener greenhouse until fall. At that time, the cuttings will be ready to be potted up and taken home. Participants are encouraged to come by and check on their cuttings during the summer to see their growth and development. Further instruction will be given as the trays are ready to go home.For questions or additional information, contact the Cooperative Extension office, 704-216-8970 or 216-8990 or e-mail darrell_blackwelder @ncsu.edu