When is the right time to do cuttings from Rose of Sharon?

[jmckemie]

When should I take the cuttings? Should I root them first or just put them in the ground?

Not even a novice gardener!! Just starting to learn..
Thanks so much for any advice or references!!
Jen

[jmckemie]

I just found the thread about rooting the Rose of Sharon.

But still wondering about the timing. Is now a bad time? They haven't started to bloom yet, but have lots and lots of leaves.....

Thanks!
Jen

[zuzu's petals]

Hey Jen, I generally propagate Rose of Sharon using semi-hardwood cuttings.

That is to say, the current season's growth,
but just as the stems are beginning to turn from green to brown.

I usually do this in the summer months,
as there are plenty of stems beginning to "harden" off at that time.
I'm not saying that's the only method,
just that semi-hardwood cuttings almost always root successfully and quickly for me.

I root them in moist, sterile vermiculite,
but lots of folks say that any decent potting medium works just as well.

[jmckemie]

I just went out to take a look at things in the front yard (which is grossly neglected as I spend most of my time inteh back with the dogs and found a zillion little ROS seedlings in amongst the hedge. I'm gonna try moving them to the back and see what happens....

Thank you!!

[jmckemie]

I started pulling up little seedling Rose of Sharons and went overboard. Thankfully, my dad's wife loves them, too, and I can take a bucket of tehm to work and spread them among the gardeners there, as well. I must have pulled up 30 or 40 little and not so little seedlings! That'll teach me to not keep up with the front yard!

J

[snowmm]

Don't think of it as not attending to the garden think of it as blessings. Those seedlings should do just fine...they grow into bigger seedlings which do even better.

Good luck!!

[jmckemie]

Of course, compulsive that I am, I went and dug up the daylillies, too. Suppose they won't bloom this year, but they weren't very happy where they were and the hostas will do much better in their place. I will sleep well tonight!
J

[snowmm]

Well, that's what happens. Once you get started doing onething something else takes over.