Collarspace Discussion Forums


Home  Login  Search 

Another gardening question


View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest
 
All Forums >> [Casual Banter] >> Off the Grid >> Another gardening question Page: [1]
Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
Another gardening question - 7/19/2011 9:02:28 PM   
WinsomeDefiance


Posts: 6719
Joined: 8/7/2007
Status: offline 		Ok, this question is about Willow Trees.  I want me some, and they grow so beautifully in Michigan.  I was thinking of going out and getting me some cuttings, but after some research I learned this is better done in fall, which means I'd have to nurse the cuttings inside all winter before being able to plant them in May.

My question is this, has anyone had any luck using vegetative propagation on Willow whips?  Were you able to cultivate them prior to fall?  Did you have to nurse the cuttings inside or were you able to plant them before fall and did they thrive if you did so?

Yes, I know, I could just go out and buy me a few Willow trees and plant them, but I was kind of excited about going out and hunting me some Willow!

Thanks.

WinD
Profile   Post #: 1
RE: Another gardening question - 7/19/2011 10:33:38 PM   
peppermint


Posts: 5169
Joined: 10/18/2005
From: Montana
Status: offline 		I have not started willow trees but have started lilacs and forsythia.  In the very early spring I made some 15 inch cuttings off the hard wood, used some rooting hormones, and buried the cuttings in the ground 4 inches or so.  Since I lived in western WA at the time I didn't even have to water them all that much as mother nature provides plenty of that in spring.  I made sure they were watered well when summer came.  I lost some cuttings but more than half took root.  Two years later I was giving them away as gifts. 

The little bit of research I just did about willow cuttings says you can take the cuttings in the early spring.  That way you wouldn't have to nurse them along all winter.  Perhaps I did not quite understand all that you are trying to do. 

Good luck!!!

I just remembered that I left only 2 leaves on each cutting.  I was afraid if more were left the cutting would dry out. 


< Message edited by peppermint -- 7/19/2011 10:45:15 PM >

(in reply to WinsomeDefiance)
Profile   Post #: 2
RE: Another gardening question - 7/19/2011 11:08:40 PM   
Iamsemisweet


Posts: 3651
Joined: 4/9/2011
From: The Great Northwest, USA
Status: offline 		Willows are easy to grow and lovely, i agree. This is not necessarily the best time to be planting cuttings, unless you are having a very wet and cool year, like we are here. You probably know this already, but be careful where you plant them, they are very water loving and their roots will find their way into any pipe, including your sewer and water pipes. Expensive.

_____________________________

Alice: But I don't want to go among mad people.
The Cat: Oh, you can't help that. We're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad.
Alice: How do you know I'm mad?
The Cat: You must be. Or you wouldn't have come here.

(in reply to peppermint)
Profile   Post #: 3
RE: Another gardening question - 7/20/2011 1:23:32 AM   
WinsomeDefiance


Posts: 6719
Joined: 8/7/2007
Status: offline 		Thanks for the answers!  I wanted to go out this weekend, find Willows and plant them NOW.  I didn't want to have to wait.  Since I have to figure out where the sewer and water pipes are, I guess I'll either just go buy me the trees all ready to be planted once I know that I can plant them where I want, then wait until spring to see if I can't take a few cuttings too.  I didn't see taking cuttings in Fall and nursing them inside all winter, to be all that feasible considering my penchant for killing all things potted.  I can plant something in the ground and it thrives, but put it in a pot and it dies (sighs)  Cuttings in April and planted in May sounds doable. 

I am worried about piping/sewer headaches, so I may reconsider trees with invasive root issues. 

I have this huge almost perfectly circular sand pit in my back yard from where an above ground pool had once been.  I pictured this Irish Stone Circle meets Japanese Sand Garden image in my head and was anxious to see the garden started.  I already have several huge stones (they are very easy to come by in Michigan) and there are already small trees, ivy and other plants that have grown along the parameter of the circle.  It just seems like so much of the work has already been done for me.  I just have put the rest of my vision into place.  In my mind, that started with the Willow trees. 

Anyway, thanks for taking the time to answer my odd question :)  It was very much appreciated.

WinD

(in reply to Iamsemisweet)
Profile   Post #: 4
RE: Another gardening question - 7/20/2011 6:30:52 AM   
rockspider


Posts: 633
Joined: 9/26/2009
Status: offline 		When it comes to the root issue the safety distance is quite large. Don´t go below 25 M, which preclude most domestic gardens.. By the way, if the pipes is steel or the poly type, which is now used lots of places, then it is not a problem.

(in reply to WinsomeDefiance)
Profile   Post #: 5
RE: Another gardening question - 7/20/2011 7:18:13 AM   
LaTigresse


Posts: 26123
Joined: 1/15/2006
Status: offline 		I can only echo what others have said about starting them. I also echo taking care with where you plant. Not only can their roots be destructive they are MESSY!

My grandmother loved them but my grandfather made sure it was planted out in the corner of the yard far away from the house.....note they lived on a farm and the corner of the yard was within visual distance of the house for my grandmother but not in a place where my grandfather cared about mowing and leaf mess.

_____________________________

My twisted, self deprecating, sense of humour, finds alot to laugh about, in your lack of one!

Just because you are well educated, articulate, and can use big, fancy words, properly........does not mean you are right!

(in reply to WinsomeDefiance)
Profile   Post #: 6
RE: Another gardening question - 7/20/2011 7:28:29 AM   
Musicmystery


Posts: 30259
Joined: 3/14/2005
Status: offline
quote:

Ok, this question is about Willow Trees. I want me some, and they grow so beautifully


They are almost ridiculously easy to start, but before you do, find out if it's legal where you live!

As others have said, beauty aside, they are fast growing messes, and planting new ones is often prohibited.

(in reply to WinsomeDefiance)
Profile   Post #: 7
RE: Another gardening question - 7/20/2011 7:30:12 AM   
GreedyTop


Posts: 52100
Joined: 5/2/2007
From: Savannah, GA
Status: offline 		I'd love a willow myself.. but no way around here.

too many PVC pipes, too close together (the downside of living in a neighborhood)

I just wish I could find a fast growing shade tree that wasnt a deep/wide rooter... again with the water system being too nested (for lack of a better term in my sleepy head)

_____________________________

polysnortatious
Supreme Goddess of Snark
CHARTER MEMBER: Lance's Fag Hags!
Waiting for my madman in a Blue Box.

(in reply to LaTigresse)
Profile   Post #: 8
RE: Another gardening question - 7/20/2011 7:30:36 AM   
Hillwilliam


Posts: 19394
Joined: 8/27/2008
Status: offline 		Dont put a willow within 50 yards of a septic tank or drain field or you will regret it.

_____________________________

Kinkier than a cheap garden hose.

Whoever said "Religion is the opiate of the masses" never heard Right Wing talk radio.

Don't blame me, I voted for Gary Johnson.

(in reply to Musicmystery)
Profile   Post #: 9
RE: Another gardening question - 7/20/2011 8:17:55 AM   
WinsomeDefiance


Posts: 6719
Joined: 8/7/2007
Status: offline 		It never occurred to me that it might be illegal to plant them!  Damn, this is getting complicated.  Maybe I'll look into planting dwarf apple trees or something less invasive and troublesome instead.  Any recommendations? 

I love Willow trees, but maybe I'll just go visit them at the river instead.

(in reply to Hillwilliam)
Profile   Post #: 10
RE: Another gardening question - 7/20/2011 8:25:23 AM   
WinsomeDefiance


Posts: 6719
Joined: 8/7/2007
Status: offline 		I have Lilac trees already growing in the backyard, maybe I'll take cuttings from them!  Mine bloomed early and no longer have blooms, but my neighbors are still blooming.  I wonder if there's something I should have done to keep them blooming?

Thank you all, for the information and heads-up about the cons regarding Willow Trees. 

(in reply to WinsomeDefiance)
Profile   Post #: 11
RE: Another gardening question - 7/20/2011 11:07:58 AM   
peachgirl


Posts: 396
Joined: 6/25/2009
Status: offline 		I love willow trees and their gentle weeping aspect. In searching out trees for my own garden, I didn't have enough room for a willow (my next door neighbor has one) and thankfully I didn't know about the issues surrounding them.

Instead, I planted an Evergreen Pear (non-fruit bearing) and an Eastern Redbud. The Eastern Redbud should grow fine in your climate and is a slow grower. The leaves are very large but they do have that "weeping" aspect to them. The Evergreen Pear is my absolute favorite. I live in California so I don't know if it will grow where you live. The leaves are medium size and 'droop" a bit off the branches. In the spring, when it flowers, the petals are a small, transparent white that are absolutely gorgeous. They do shed their leaves in the fall, turning a beautiful rust red color.

Hope that helps!

_____________________________

Have you seen that girl in the corner?
I'd like to take her out of her chains
Cause if I had my way with you baby
I would be changing your life today.
- Bob Welch

(in reply to WinsomeDefiance)
Profile   Post #: 12
RE: Another gardening question - 7/20/2011 11:35:29 AM   
Muttling


Posts: 1612
Joined: 9/30/2007
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: peachgirl

I love willow trees and their gentle weeping aspect. In searching out trees for my own garden, I didn't have enough room for a willow (my next door neighbor has one) and thankfully I didn't know about the issues surrounding them.



Full size willows do need lots of space, but there are a number of dwarf varieties as well as weeping cherry trees and weeping japanese maples that have a nice appearance without the need for lots of room.

(in reply to peachgirl)
Profile   Post #: 13
RE: Another gardening question - 7/22/2011 11:45:27 AM   
peppermint


Posts: 5169
Joined: 10/18/2005
From: Montana
Status: offline 		If you like the weeping look of the willows, look up weeping mulberry.  They don't grow tall but they weep.  As a kid my club house was inside the mulberry.  We could hide from adults as well as eat the fruit.  Since mulberries come as male or female trees, if you don't want the mess of the berries (and birds eating the berries can make messes) make sure you get a male.  

(in reply to WinsomeDefiance)
Profile   Post #: 14
RE: Another gardening question - 7/22/2011 1:05:34 PM   
DameBruschetta


Posts: 116
Joined: 1/10/2010
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Muttling

quote:

ORIGINAL: peachgirl

I love willow trees and their gentle weeping aspect. In searching out trees for my own garden, I didn't have enough room for a willow (my next door neighbor has one) and thankfully I didn't know about the issues surrounding them.



Full size willows do need lots of space, but there are a number of dwarf varieties as well as weeping cherry trees and weeping japanese maples that have a nice appearance without the need for lots of room.



I second the weeping Japanese maple suggestion... we had one at my house (several kinds of  dwarf Japanese maples actually) and I adore them so. If you want some extra color the red weeping variety is red in summer and crimson in fall, and there is also another dwarf variety that features redish purple leaves int he summer with crimson leaves in the fall.  (This particular one only reaches 8 ft and is what we had.) 

(in reply to Muttling)
Profile   Post #: 15
RE: Another gardening question - 7/22/2011 4:10:38 PM   
WinsomeDefiance


Posts: 6719
Joined: 8/7/2007
Status: offline 		I looked up the Japanese Weeping Maple and fell in love with it!  It is perfect for what I had in mind.  Now I'm really excited about getting started. 

Thank you, everyone! 

(in reply to DameBruschetta)
Profile   Post #: 16
Page:   [1]
All Forums >> [Casual Banter] >> Off the Grid >> Another gardening question Page: [1]
Jump to:





New Messages No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages Locked w/o New Messages
 Post New Thread
 Reply to Message
 Post New Poll
 Submit Vote
 Delete My Own Post
 Delete My Own Thread
 Rate Posts




Collarchat.com © 2025
Terms of Service Privacy Policy Spam Policy

0.133