Elm Cuttings now for Spring Root Grafts?

[dbonsaiw]

Could I take Chinese Elm cuttings now and grow them indoors under lights for the winter and then use them for root grafts in the spring?

 

[Tieball]

I have not tried Chinese Elm cuttings. I have tried Poplar and American Elm and these two worked just fine for rooting over the 5 months of winter I have. I did not have a grow light. These were just in soil (not substrate), kept moist, and placed by a southern exposure patio door for plenty of light during the winter months.

You have nothing to lose by trying. Take the cuttings and find out. In spring you’ll know how healthy the roots are for root grafting….or if you don’t even have roots.

It can also depend on what cuttings you’re taking. I used the current year branch extensions. I let certain branches just extend during the year with the purpose of cutting them for rooting. I was working on more trees though and not root grafting.

 

[dbonsaiw]

It can also depend on what cuttings you’re taking. I used the current year branch extensions. I let certain branches just extend during the year with the purpose of cutting them for rooting.

My son has a Chinese elm that has overgrown. I would take a bunch of this year's shoots.

 

[Tieball]

That’s a good plan. And you’ll learn more about the results. Experiment with your cuttings. On some remove all the existing leaves on the cutting. The only growth element would be the buds that were left. On others don’t remove the leaves. I recall on my growing that the cuttings without leaves grew best.

 

[Apex37]

I just took about 15 corkbark Chinese Elm cuttings after removing an airlayer about 2 weeks ago. I’ve never taken cuttings from Chinese Elms before, but from what I’ve read is they are pretty easy. Cuttings are going into week 2 and I lost 3 due to mold. I probably should removed more leaves than I did, so if you do take some, only leave like maybe a handful per cutting. Interestingly, the thicker cuttings seem to be doing the best on callousing. Currently they’re in a propagator on a heat mat under LED’s. I’ll let ya know how those turn out. Growing season is still strong here so my experience with fall cuttings may be different than yours with being more up north. Plants are pretty smart and they know when things start slowing down. Cutting success seems to fall in line with the growing season, in my experience.