HOW TO TAKE CUTTINGS FROM BAY TREES

The bay tree - Laurus nobilis is a small, aromatic evergreen tree native to the Mediterranean region. It is often cultivated for pot-grown topiary, while its ornamental glossy leaves are popular for adding flavour to a wide variety of  Mediterranean cuisines recipes Most commonly, the aromatic leaves are added whole to Italian pasta sauces.

Buying bay trees can be expensive however you can easily propagate your own from cuttings. The best time to do this is with softwood cuttings in the spring.

Using a sharp sterilized blade cut into a healthy 4 to 6 inch side shoot from a bay tree in early spring just after new growth begins. Don't cut all the way through the shoot, instead finish by tearing the shoot from its parent branch which should leave a small section of bark. Alternatively, cut into the parent branch above the shoot to be removed and to remove it by pulling it away from the parent stem. This is called a heel cut and will help the cutting root more easily.

Carefully remove the lower leaves from the cutting leaving no more than four leaves at the top. Dip the base of the cutting into rooting hormone powder then tap the bottom of the shoot to shed any excess powder.

Fill a clean and sterile 3 inch pot with a prepared rooting substrate mix of 1/2 horticultural sand and 1/2 moss peat. Alternatively use a good quality compost such as John Innes 'Seed and Cutting'.

Using a dibber or pencil created a hole in the soil and then place 1/3 of the cutting into the soil. Try to avoid losing any of the hormone powder as you do this. Press the soil down around the base of the cutting to give it support.

Water the compost thoroughly and then place in a heated propagator at a temperature of approximately 18 degrees Celsius. Alternatively place a clear polythene bag (or half clear plastic drinks bottle) over the top of the pot to maintain high humidity and leave in a warm, bright position such as a windowsill, but out of direct sunlight. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Expected your cuttings to take root from 4-5 weeks onwards.

Image  credit - http://a-single-serving.com/

It is a positive sign when the cutting starts to produce new leaves but this does not mean that it has produced new roots.

Wait for a couple more weeks and the check by very gently pulling on the stem. If you feel resistance then the cutting has rooted.

Once roots are clearly seen at the base of the pot they are ready to be planted into a larger pot.

They will then need to be hardened off for a week or so before being put outside. Once they have established in their larger pots they can be planted out into their final position.

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