magnolia cuttings.?

[lilacben]

My daughter has a new magnolia tree in her garden about four foot tall. Can cuttings be taking from it and if so how do you go about it please.?

[Thunderbird+]

The simplest method is layering. If you can find a branch that is low to the ground, peg it down into the soil, place a hefty stone or 1/2 brick on top and the branch should root itself into the soil, best done in spring. It may take 2-3 years before you can cut it from the parent plant and carefully transplant it.

Otherwise you can take semi-ripewood cuttings 3-4" (8-10cm) long with a heel (a small piece of bark attached where a small branch is pulled down from a larger branch and trimmed up) in a propergator or under mist with gentle bottom heat. (use hormone rooting powder) they may root in about 12 weeks and ready for planting out in 2-3 years. Good Luck.