Question
Hi! I have a 15 year old False Aralia about 4.5' tall. Unfortunately about 3.5' was stem. I just cut it seriously back to restore it to something attractive (it responds well) but also ended up with 6-7 beautiful cuttings. Can I root them somehow? They're water right now (8/20/07, cut around 3pm EST) and OK, but experience tells me they'll fade in the next week or so unless there's something I can do to root them. Can you help?

Answer
Hi Cyn,

Your prior experience is a good guide. False aralia cuttings typically drop all of the leaves before they develop roots when rooting in water. This is because the very thin leaves transpire a lot of water and the stems are not able to absorb enough water until after the roots are well developed.

I suggest that you insert short tip cuttings with 4-6 leaves each into a small pot filled with damp potting mix. Then enclose the pot and cuttings inside a clear plastic baggy that that you blow up and seal. This will maintain the moisture around the roots and also in the air around the leaves. Leave it for about a month and then gradually open and remove the plastic bag over the course of a week.

I realize this is a bit complicated, but this is what it takes to successfully propagate False aralia cuttings.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions. If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights.

If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.
           
Visit my website at  www.HorticulturalHelp.com
  
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]