Forsythia is a hardy, colorful bush that can make any garden look gorgeous and help attract birds, bees, and butterflies. Forsythia plants tend to root deep in the soil and have large, spherical roots, which make it difficult to transplant the entire bush. An alternative is to root Forsythia and create smaller plants for propagation that can be transplanted separately. The process used to root Forsythia varies slightly based on the time of year and the level of maturity of the plant, but a few simple steps make it simple to root Forsythia and enrich your garden.
Steps
Step 1. Root the Forsythia after the bush has finished flowering and all its flowers have fallen off
- Most garden experts recommend rooting Forsythia indoors between December and February. The plant is dormant during this time, so it will be at the stage where the wood is hardest and the cuttings will be less delicate.
- Forsythia can be rooted all year round, but cuttings taken when the bush is not dormant are more fragile and require more care and attention.
Step 2. Grow Forsythia in well-drained, acidic soil with plenty of shade
Preparing the soil to create an optimal growing environment will encourage the rooting process.
- Choose a point where the water drains quickly. This will prevent the new roots from rotting before they have hardened.
- Add mulch or soil to the soil to increase acidity.
- Add straw or cedar shavings on top of the potting soil once the cutting is planted to isolate it and help encourage growth.
- Use a growth hormone in the soil to help the cuttings take root. Some hormones can be applied directly to one end of the cutting rather than in the soil.
- Use a grow box to start cuttings in the winter months and to make it easier to check the soil composition.
Step 3. Prepare the cuttings before planting to help them root properly
- Cut cuttings about 6 inches from the tip of a branch using sharp gardening shears.
- Remove any leaves or flower debris.
- Cutting cuttings with shoots still present will encourage root growth. The best branches to cut will have 4 to 6 buds on them.
- Plant the cuttings deep enough so that only about 7 to 10 cm protrudes from the ground. Use a shovel or transplanter to compact the earth around the rest of the cutting.
Step 4. Try an alternative method (layering) to root the cuttings by bending a branch from an existing shrub, covering the top 6 inches of the branch with soil and mulch, and using a brick or stone for weighting
The branch will root next to the mother plant and can be transplanted later.
Step 5. Make sure the cuttings get plenty of shade when they form roots and aren't exposed to a lot of direct sunlight
- Water the cuttings regularly.
- Eliminate weeds and other plants so the Forsythia has plenty of room to grow.
- If you are rooting Forsythia indoors, make sure the grow box has holes in the bottom to keep the soil well drained for cuttings.
