Question
To Mr. Bachman:

I have just brought home about 5 cuttings from my neighbor's fathshedera shrubs.  They are soaking in water currently and seem to have kept their crispness.  My neighbor suggested dipping the stems in a root tone powder and then placing them in the ground with plenty of water. I live in Sunset Zone 6, so I know they will do quite well in my back yard.

Since I am a new gardener, I have several questions.

1. Do I need to fertilize the cuttings now, or should I wait until they grow roots?

2. Are the berries that grow at the top of the white stocks on a fatshedera poisonous to dogs and humans?  Will the birds eat them?  

3. Should I support each cutting with a stick or plant them close to my fence?  

4.  The plants are going in on the north side of my back fence that is on the south side of the house.  Should I avoid planting some of them on the West fence since it gets pretty hot during summer afternoons?

Thank you very much for your help with my questions.  Since I'm new at this, every expert's help is sure appreciated!

Most grateful,
:)Sonja (Western Oregon)  

Answer
Sonja,

Take your cuttings and dip in rooting hormone that you can get from your local garden center.  Place the treated end in a pot filled with commercial potting media. DO NOT USE SOIL OR BAGGED TOPSOIL.  Place a ziplock bag over the pot, this will keep moisture in until the roots have formed, hopefully.  And leave them in a protected place outside out of the full sun.  You may need to check the moisture in the pots occasionaly and water if needed.  Hopefully your cuttings will have some roots after about 3-4 weeks.  Fertilize after roots have formed.

Fatshedera appears to be an irritant.  You should gather this information yourself as I may be incorrect.

Good gardening

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