How Holly Trees are Propagated
- 1). Fill a small pot with sand, leaving ¼-inch of space between the surface and the rim. Use a container that has drainage holes. Moisten the sand until excess water runs out of the holes and the surface feels entirely moist.
- 2). Measure 4 inches from the tip of a holly branch toward the trunk to get a cutting from new growth. Cut the section of stem with a pair of sharp, clean shears.
- 3). Remove all leaves, except for the two growing closest to the cutting's tip.
- 4). Slice a piece of bark off the cut end of the stem to facilitate rooting. Dip the scarred section into rooting hormone. Moisten it first if you're using a powder formula so the hormone sticks to the wood.
- 5). Insert the bottom half of the cutting into the sand. Moisten the soil again and spray the cutting with water.
- 6). Slip the pot into a clear plastic bag to create a humid and warm environment for the holly stem. Insert stakes in the sand to hold the bag up if it collapses. Close the bag.
- 7). Place the bagged pot in a well-lit area but away from direct sunlight. Check the moisture level every day. Mist the cutting to keep it moist, and hydrate the sand when its surface begins to dry.
- 8). Remove by hand the sand from the stem's base once a week to check for roots. Rooting takes several weeks to several months.
- 9). Transplant the cutting to a 4-inch pot filled with potting mix when its new roots are 1/2-inch long. Keep the new seedling in the container through its first winter. Move it outside in the spring.
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