If you’re looking to fill your garden with greenery without breaking the bank, I’ve got a great tip for you. Propagating your own plants from cuttings is one of the best ways to get multiple Red Robin Photinias (Glanzmispel) for your yard on a tiny budget.
Is it easy to grow Photinia from cuttings?
The short answer is: yes, taking the cuttings is super easy! However, not every single stem is guaranteed to take root. My advice? Take more cuttings than you actually need to increase your chances of success. If you end up with more baby Photinias than you have space for, they make amazing gifts for friends and neighbors.
When and how should I take the cuttings?
Technically, you can take cuttings from a Photinia almost any time during the growing season. But if you want the best results, aim for the window between May and September. Look for healthy, semi-hardwood stems—these are stems that have started to toughen up but aren’t fully woody yet. They tend to develop new roots much more reliably.
Always make sure your garden shears are sharp and clean before you start. This prevents crushing the stem and keeps diseases or germs from hitching a ride into the fresh cut. A pro tip: when you do your annual pruning, look through the trimmings for the perfect pieces to propagate!
Step-by-Step Guide to Rooting Cuttings:
- Pick a healthy, mature shoot from last year’s growth that hasn’t fully turned to wood yet.
- Cut a tip about 12 inches (30 cm) long, making sure it has at least 2 to 3 pairs of leaves.
- Strip off any extra lower leaves, as well as any buds or flowers.
- Poke the cuttings about 1.5 inches (3-4 cm) deep into seed-starting soil or a mix of peat and sand.
- Give them a good watering.
- Cover the pot with plastic wrap or a clear bag to create a mini-greenhouse effect (this keeps the moisture in).
- Place them in a cool, shady spot.
- Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
How do I care for my new cuttings?
Be patient! It usually takes a few weeks for those little roots to establish. You shouldn’t try transplanting them until they are firmly rooted. For the first year, I highly recommend keeping your young Photinias in containers. They aren’t quite hardy enough to survive a tough winter in the ground just yet.
Quick Tip: if you’re dreaming of growing a tree-style standard (a “lollipop” shape), start trimming back the side shoots as soon as you see new growth!
