Acer Palmatum cuttings - limited time

[Mikea454]

I will read through all the similar threads, and I have the woody plant propagation book.

I have a good friend cutting down a favorite Maple that was too close to the house in 10 days!!! it is an Acer Palmatum, likely an Emperor, and is 36yrs old. For sentimental reason we would both love for me to grow some cuttings of this tree. The tree is in Alabama (7b to 8a) and I am in Massachusetts (6b). I would have loved to have air-layered a beautiful couple branches, but obviously 10 days is not enough time.

1. can clippings be shipped overnight un-rooted at this time of the year and survive (if so what portions and how long a shoots). tips on packing?
2. if not they will try to root them, first, any tips for how to get them to a stable point to ship?

sorry for the difficult task, but any thoughts would be appreciated. the tree will be destroyed, so any cuttings needed should be fine.

thank you

 

[Shibui]

No real problem shipping cuttings. It's done all the time and I've collected evergreen cuttings while visiting other gardens or parks and kept them for up to a week before propagation. Dormant deciduous cuttings can be stored for weeks or even months and still be viable.

Hardwood cuttings are generally 4-10 inches long. Around pencil thick is good but thinner will also be OK.
Store and ship in a closed plastic bag with a few drops of water to prevent dehydration. Too much water can cause problems in a sealed environment.
Cool conditions help. I usually store leafy cuttings in a cooler box while in transit but I guess ambient temps should be good in USA for transport this time of year and dormant cuttings are less critical anyway.

If you use rooting compound on the cuttings it pays to recut the base before dipping so the hormones can penetrate the cambium better.

Good luck with your project. Some people have good success with JM cuttings. I grow a lot of other species from cuttings but not successful with JM for some reason. No problem to have them shoots and grow new leaves but if roots don't develop they are doomed so please don't be surprised if yours don't make it.