How to Propagate Rhododendrons with a Nearing Frame; Taking Cuttings in the Hoop House
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ย. 2024
- In this video I'm going to show you exactly how I propagate rhododendrons using my nearing frame. Taking cuttings is easy and fun. It can also be a nice little money maker on the side and a great way to improve your landscape while boosting the value of your home. You'll also get a view of the hoop house which you can build with a little bit of ingenuity.
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I have a very small cottage garden in the S.West in the UK! I love Rhododendrons, and I garden on a very tight budget, so cuttings are essential for my garden! I love your channel and you are to the point, no faffing and you share all the important information!
So glad you appreciate the videos, Jan! Your garden sounds wonderful.
Mike, thanks so much for showing the results a year later. It seems you are above the rest in this category. Your video was VERY helpful.
Thanks Teri, glad I could help.
Hi Mike I turned your tips into action today, rhododendron cuttings, got root powder etc and cuttings from the middle of the plant, how often do you water the cuttings?
How often do you water the cuttings?
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Dear Mike, you have given me the BEST explanation for taking Rhododendron cuttings, ever! Not only you are clear and speak comprehensively but also have finally given me the name of a variety that I have found in our new garden in Scotland! I would love to see what the original cuttings have come to be now...I bet they are amazing! :-) THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!
So glad to hear that you enjoyed the video, Gisella! The rhododendrons in this video are all over the place by now. I sold a bunch and planted some out on my property. I have many videos of garden tours if you search the channel.
Yes, he seems very thorough...
Love that you added the update a year later. So very helpful! I’m just learning to propagate. Actually followed your advice last fall with a hydrangea (my first cuttings ever) and this year have two lovely new Lady in Red hydrangeas. Looks like rhododendron’s can be a bit trickier. It’s super helpful to know from your update a year out that some may be more finicky than others. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it, Amy. This was the first video I did like this and then went on to make many more with the start and finish with videos that span weeks to months of time. Hope you enjoy the channel!
@@MikeKincaid79 твой опыт пригодился, спасибо друг! Моим рододендронам уже 6 лет, это прекрасные растения. Желаю процветания твоему каналу и здоровья твоим рододендронам!
Peggy, Thanks so much for your site. My rhododendron were in bad shape , needed prune, I sorry I keep for getting what you put transplant everything. What kind of mixture.
Wow! Just found your channel and love it! My Mom-in-law just passed away in January and I’m going to use your information to try to take cuttings from her rhododendron and honeysuckle to plant in our own yard. Thank you so much for your enthusiasm and information!
That's what I'm going to do to I'm moving from the homestead
Very good video. Thank you. I loved the fact that you followed up after a year of planting and showed us the result. You’re a legend. I think this is the first time ever I have ever experienced someone so committed in making videos for benefits of the viewers.
Glad you enjoyed it! That last sentence you wrote is exactly what I'm about. Absolutely committed to making the best videos for you guys. I appreciate your support.
I love your channel and I must say your are the guru of gardening.. What I wouldn't do to have a plot of land and grow like you do.. But again I would have to take off around 20 years off my age.. You are by far the best when it comes to having a passion for gardening..
Great advice, You know, I love after all my years of gardening I can still learn new things from you youngstas! Thanks Mike. Really appreciate your sharing, your time & your knowledge. Cheers from down under.
Thanks, I appreciate the comment. Propagating is a lot of fun and I love learning all aspects of it. I never get tired of reading books and watching videos about the subject and then going out and giving all my new ideas a try.
It was so much better than most, to show us what happened a year later, and give us all the detail about who was who, and which did better as cuttings, and that we should leave them through a 2nd winter. I had no idea you'd just use bark for their medium either? I also love your cold frame, and would like a video about building one. I don't normally subscribe, but I love your informative and entertaining videos, so am now a subscriber. Thank you :)
Thanks for subscribing, Jessica, and welcome to the family! I love all plants but rhododendrons are my absolute passion. Not trying to sell you on anything but if you're interested I have a website where I sell a 6 hour program that includes all the details of what I do here to be really successful with rhododendrons, including a detailed video of how to build the frame. Here's the link in case you want to check it out: propagateplantslikeapro.com
I'm going to let you know if I get success Mike, but that is probably one of the best videos on how to do it with Rhodos
+Rasta novascotiarasta Hey, thanks a lot Rasta, and I hope you do find success! Any question, just ask.
Did you have any success?
Just great, at last no waffle, in fact, a masterclass!! I have many Rhododendrons and Azaleas down here in France and they have mostly taken over some areas, tell me please how to prune, so keep going Mike, Thanks.
Masterclass!!! Wow, thanks for the compliment. Really I'm just a guy who loves gardening like you guys. I have a video here: th-cam.com/video/A0iSGMVZ2VY/w-d-xo.html in which I renovated one of my rhododendron beds and pruned them up. Hopefully it answers some questions for you.
This video is great. I love that you added the update a year later
It's my claim to fame here, lol. I got tired of people telling me how to do something and not showing the results. It gets a little mind boggling trying to keep all the video clips of multiple videos straight for weeks or months but it's a lot of fun!
Aww, the allusive Senator Jackson! Good luck with that. I’ve seen 1 mature one at a nursery here in Southern Oregon it’s stunning.
I think I finally got it! I took several cuttings last summer and they are looking promising. I'll keep you updated.
Awesome video Mike! Not sure who the 85 losers are that didn't appreciate such an informative free video that you took precious time to make.
Haha, I just tell myself that their fat fingers slipped and accidentally hit the dislike button!
I'm going to try this.
I've never planted a Roadie before, but saw my one garden center had them for 9.00 ...
That's not bad, there in a huge pot.
Hopefully this will work for me.
Love all your videos ..
I look forward to watching them.
Love your Green house ...
Thanks for sharing all your tips ..
Just make sure to mulch well with a deep layer of mulch and water well through the first 2 or 3 summers. Rhododendrons have fine hair like roots that stay close to the surface and need attention in the beginning. Once they are well established, they grow well without any care.
Mike. I'm an electrical engineer retired. While in this profession I had a part time Rhododendron Nursery. I bought un-rooted cuttings from a man in the mountains in Pennsylvania and rooted them under a mist system and bottom heat (circulation hot water) starting in September. Potting them up to 1 gallon in April. The following September they were ready to sell as 1 year 1 gallon 12 to 15 inch plants. We sold over 10 thousand a year 1 gal and a few hundred 3 gallon. If you have any questions about growing Rhodos let me know. BTW I'm located in Raleigh, NC. Yes I know it is out of Rhododendron Climate.
Thanks, Aaron, I appreciate the offer. I love connecting with rhododendron people!
Hi Mike! Loved this video! Have always wondered how you start rhodies from cuttings. Can try it now. I watched the tour of your rhodie garden last week and in this video you started a few of the ones that caught my eye, Lavender Princess and Apricot Fantasy were two of them. My favorite colors, but i liked the two tone colors also. I have been waiting to find time to watch this video. Now I can try this just for fun. I can do it!💚
You can do it, Marcia!
You may want to root those that didn't make it in an area by themselves. As some don't take much water as others. The thinner the leaves the less water it needs.
I'm pretty sure this guy has it figured out already 😮💨
Great advice
Thanks from Scotland 🏴
Good luck and have fun with it!
Love to watch your videos. Thank you for sharing!!!
+Rocky 石针养花 It's my pleasure. Thanks for watching!
A very pleasant, excellently presented 15 minutes over my cup soup. Now armed with The Knowledge (how to; what to expect; how long) I'm off to take cuttings (permission granted) of the Village Hall rhodie, so lovely this May. I'm in East Devon, England.
That's great, Barbara! Thanks for the nice comment and I'm really glad you got some good info here.
Great video. Very informative and detailed.
Thank you!
Rhododendrons and Azaleas are my favorite, plus all the amazing hybrids.
They're the king of landscape plants, thanks Joe!
Came to your channel looking for info in regards to Azaleas I have a Azalea rose that I love and can't find it anymore locally so thought of propagating. Last year I found you when searching for propagating hydrangea and with your video I was able to do one that I'm proud of and is doing beautifully. Going to adventure and try now with my Azalea, thanks for sharing your knowledge and im glad to see you are doing well after the finger incident. 😊
Thanks, Ann, glad you found the channel last year and I wish you luck in all your propagation endeavors!
best prop video yet
Thanks
Mike Kincaid I was reading the comments @ the last three min. of the video sort of waiting for the sales pitch for the two hour video . I must of missed it. No mention of it in the video description
Thanks for the information, I'm looking for cuttings now.
Good luck!
Really like your practical knowledge! Amazing !
Thanks, I enjoy making the videos for you.
Thank you for wonderful video and a lots useful info!
good video. A lot of much needed information. I live in the south pacific and thought our weather was nt conducive to propagate azeleas. tried taking some young shoots and its looking fresh for almost a month now....thanks heaps for the info...
You're in a beautiful climate zone for propagation!
+Mike Kincaid ..i will keep u updated on the growth of my cuttings..thank you so much...
your video and advice was one of the best i found on you tube, thanks! My Rododendron is probably 30 years old and real out of shape and leggy. Going to try to propergate this season for second next down the line.
Hey Angela, thanks for the positive comment, I'm glad I was able to help you!
I met the grandson of the man who originally developed the Anna-rose Whitney variety. It was cool walking around on the property in Brinnon, WA that he had experimented with all these rhody's on. They have got to be some of the biggest rhododendrons I've ever seen.
I'd love to make it over there eventually. Sounds awesome. If you are in that area, have you ever been to the species garden on Thorndike Rd, just over the Hood Canal bridge? It's a beautiful place and some of the rhododendrons are 20 feet or taller.
@@MikeKincaid79 I have not, but I work on sites on that road quite often. I'll have to swing by sometime.
I adore this flower.Like!
Great video, Mike! Thank you for sharing. I feel inspired to do some rhododendron propagation now.
Glad you like it! have fun propagating and if you have any questions, just ask.
Sure, you can take cuttings anytime of year provided you have the right propagation environment. The environment (such as tempurature, moisture, humidity, ect.) will need to be adjusted based on plant variety, type of cutting, and time of year. Your success rate will also vary depending on the variety of plant and condition of wood. I've done a lot of experimenting with this and I think people get too locked into "what the books tell you to do". I have taken rhododendron cuttings as early as July and as late as February the following year. I knew a rhody propagator that took all his cuttings in June and used intermittent mist and had great success. With my system: th-cam.com/video/uv1WbD0esjI/w-d-xo.html I've found it's best to take cuttings around September if you're in the Northern hemisphere but even this can vary depending on how early or late Spring came that year and how quickly the wood hardened off. So.......My official answer is, yes, it's ok to take cuttings through the Summer months. The condition of the wood and the method of propagation is more important than dates on the calendar. Thanks for watching!
Very clear and informative. Thank you so much.
Glad it was helpful!
This is a very helpful video! Thank you. For those of us who don't have this little greenhouse - can you grow cuttings in pots? If yes, how long should they stay in pots before transplanting to the ground and what js the best time of year to do it? Do you keep the cuttings in pots indoors for the duration of time?
You don't need a hoop house or green house for cuttings as long as you're working with plants that are cold hardy to your climate. I like to grow them in pots for the first year or 2 until they get a good solid root system. Best time of year: There are different techniques at different times of the year for different plants. It's a great big subject. I recommend continuing to read and watch videos and learn all you can. If there is a specific plant you're interested in, then read up on that plant. If it's rhododendrons that you're curious about then the best time of year is in the late summer as semi-hardwood cuttings.
Thanks Mike for the video. I always make the final cut below a leaf node on the stem at a 45% angle.
This provides more surface area to absorb the Hormodin# 3 hormone. Just a tip from a fellow Rhododendron
propagator.
Hey John, glad to hear from you. It's not every day that I meet someone with the same interest in rhododendrons. We're definitely in an odd club that you either have a massive passion for or don't care about at all, LOL. I've done cuttings both ways and have success with both.
Your video is very interesting as I want to learn more about your process. Mike, thanks.
Thanks, Joanne! My channel is filled with plant propagation information. If you really want to get more in depth or learn about rhododendrons in particular, I have a website where you can purchase a video series on the subject: propagateplantslikeapro.com
You are so great at explaining everything thank you, 🇨🇦
You are so welcome!
So is it better to take cuttings in fall for Rhododendrons? Thanks for these videos, I've been binge-watching them and you have a new sub!
Awesome! Thanks for the sub. Yes, rhododendron cuttings are best taken in the August/September time frame.
Thanks for sharing, very nice n informative video, blessings!!!
Thanks for watching!
Que tengas una buena semana, buena salud y también a tu familia.🙏🌹
Gracias. Felices vacaciones para usted y su familia también.
Mike I'm in Ireland, I've not tried propagation of Rodedendrons. What time should I try, please? Love your videos, I've learned so much and your speaking voice is so clear to this old lady🤣😄💚
So glad to hear that you're enjoying the videos, Maria. Rhododendron cuttings are best taken in the middle to end of August as semi-hardwood cuttings.
You gave lots of valuable information, I’m inspired to make a box (lab) like yours this summer.
You should do it. Check out my most recent video for an example of what you could put together: th-cam.com/video/1grtMNJawNI/w-d-xo.html
thank you! this video was super helpful! 🧡❤💜
Thanks, Kaitlyn, glad you enjoyed it!
Mike, I have close to 100 cuttings stuck in my Nearing frame, which I built according to your specs. With one exception. We used 3/4” cpvc in the frame instead of 1/2”. I could not locate 1/2” thinwall in my area. The person who built it
for me was sure the 3/4”would transfer heat to the rooting medium as well as the 1/2”. I disagreed, but we built it using the 3/4” cpvc (not schedule 40).
I bought a plexiglass cover rather than glass. The temp has been in the low 30s. I checked the soil temp with an instant-read cooking thermometer with a 4” probe. Temps in the middle of the frame are in mid-70s and around the perimeter high 60s to low 70s.
I’m thinking I should connect an above-ground swimming pool/bathtub water heater to heat the water to a higher temp so the soil will get to the 80-85-90 degree range. What do you say?
Thanks for reading this, and for all your help.
Really cool. Sounds perfect. I don’t try to keep my temps in the 80’s or even the 70’s all winter. I just keep the temps about 10 degrees warmer than ambient air and above freezing when it gets really cold. Sounds like you’re doing great! I’d just let it ride and see how things go.
@@MikeKincaid79 Thanks again, and always, Mike! 🙏🏻😁
Very nice video, thank you, and in English. I'm being sent a lot of Indian videos at the moment. Don't know what that's about. Appreciate yours very much, thanks.
No problem, glad you liked it! Indian videos? Where do you live?
Mike I'm Australian. Cheers and blessings.
Awesome! I'm seeing more and more people from Australia on here. You guys must be pretty cool if ya like gardening. Been to Perth once when I was in the US Navy back in 1997-2001. We then went to Hobart Tazmania and what a beautiful place that was.
Glad you went to Perth and Hobart. I hope you received a nice welcome, but we missed out in Sydney.
Would love to see Sydney someday. The welcome was better than any other received while in the Navy.
MAY I ASK YOU A question,PLEASE? WhEN is the best time to propagate RHODODENDRONS,SUMER,FALL,OR WINTER ?I AM IN GUANGZHOU,CHINA,ONE OF THE LOCAL RHODODENDRONS IS BLOOMING IN SPRING,THANKS A LOT.
+林山 Thanks for the question! The best time to propagate rhododendrons is in the Fall as semi-hardwood cuttings. I usually do my propagating through the month of September but I've had success in August and October as well. Good luck and have fun!
Really well done, I’m trying this!
Best thing on Earth! Have fun!!!
Hi Mike, thanks for sharing your expertise, really informative. You mention toward the end of the video cutting back the Rhody's to promote new growth. Can you use these cuttings to propagate again or are they too short. Thanks again, great vid!
Yes, they would make great cuttings if you did the pruning in the fall but I do it in the spring so they can make new growth through the summer so the material all goes on the compost pile. The younger the plant is, the more undifferentiated cells they have and the higher rate of success for rooting. Glad you like the video and thanks for hanging out here on the channel!
Mike, great video. The ones you are having problems with, try clean course river sand as your medium with those varieties. You take care.
We're thinking along the same lines. Tried the sand and no success. Tried air layering them last Spring so looking forward to seeing how the layers do this year. I might try bud grafting onto Anah Kruschke rootstock this year.
Mike! I had great success rooting Rhodies and various shrubs from spring until now. Here in Northeast we expect next few weeks to dip into the 40s and 50s at night..I won’t be able to plant them until the end of October when I move, will small rhododendron roots be harmed in their pots in 40 to 50 weather before put into the ground! Thanks for all the help! Definitely do a Masterclass!
The roots will be fine in 40 to 50 degree weather in pots. They can even handle freezing weather and some varieties can take all the way down to -20 F.
Mike Kincaid thank you for the response. I wasn’t willing to bow to the incredibly expensive local Long Island nurseries to decorate a rather barren house I’m moving into. I went the route of germinating and propagating plants on my own for the project and might throw up a hoop house , and your videos have been chock full of awesome advice and technique
Glad to heart it! Have fun with the hoop house build.
Great video
Great video! Thank you
You're welcome, Maddie!
Just found your site. It is a home run. Keep it up. Filled with knowledge and personality. You have a new fan!
Thanks Bill in Massachusetts.
Thanks Bill, I appreciate the sub.
Just found your channel, I’ve subscribed. Informative video, I’ll try and take some cuttings this year and see if they take.
Thanks for the sub and I'm glad you're getting some good info out of the videos! Have fun propagating, Shelley!
Great job very informative and helpful!
Very helpful-thank you
Glad to help!
You are awesome! still....4 years later!! :D
Been a long time hasn't it? Can't hardly believe how far we've come.
Thanks for the info. Great video! I have an amateur question. When they are ready to be potted, with them being growing so densely in the propagation box, how do you get the plants out without damaging the roots?
I'd have to charge you $1000 for that secret! LOL. I'm just kidding, here's the answer. Through trial and error, I've found that leaving the cuttings right in the rooting medium for another winter is the key to success. Those new little roots go untouched and have a chance to grow all summer and then they get the whole Fall and Winter to harden off. When you pull them apart the next Spring the roots are hard and tough and can take a little abuse. I still end up breaking a few roots off and losing a couple cuttings but my success rate doubles when I leave them in the propagation frame. Also, I never pull them out by the stem. I pull a whole block of rooted cuttings out from under the roots and then carefully tease them apart. Hope that helps and glad you liked the video.
Thanks so much Mike!! Great info! After I had posted that question I found your other videos which were also extremely helpful. I'm a newby but I'm just getting into it for fun. I had success with some red willow cuttings a few years ago but they're pretty easy to get to root. I do have another question. How much sun does the nearing frame need? I had heard somewhere that they need almost no sun, or full shade is ok in other words. What's your thoughts on that? Thanks again!!
Best spot for a nearing frame is on the North side of a building. You want lots of overhead light from the sky but no direct sun or you'll cook your cuttings. You can also build your frame out in full sun if you build something to block the sun. That's how I got started.
Thanks for the info!! Keep up the good work Mike!
Blago vama. Prelepi su. Imam ih samo tri a volela bih da imam dosta. Pozdrav iz Srbije (pošalji)
Great advice ,I’m new to propagating and would love how to get some magnolia cuttings going
Take the cuttings right now in the fall while they are semi-hardwood.
So for us regular people without boxes and hoop houses, how do grow a new Rhody? Do we just put it in the ground? Or start it in a pot with a pop bottle over it? When do you plant it? What do you do with it over the winter?
You're definitely on the right channel. All those questions are answered throughout my videos. By the way, you don't need a hoop house.
Coco coir is a great rooting media
A lot of people use it.
Hi Mike, Thank you so much, the video was very useful to me 'has I don't have green fingers'. I was visiting my brother and sister in-law in Dunedin, and my brother gave my a small clipping of their 'Dunedin Rhododen', which is special because it was made, to celebrate One Hundred Fifty years, that the first Early Settlers came to Dunedin. My question is: I went to a garden centre, brought all that I needed, did want my brother said, I notice it was bright green and buds were come out, which I thought was bloom but from your video they are leaf buds. the long piece that was bright green is going brown and I am worried that I have over water it, and my cat put it out of and pot and I didn't found it until the morning. I replotted it and have put it up. We are still in our winter, so I put her on the table the kitchen due to it gets the sun and at night, I put her up high so my cat can't get to it. I think that I am going to lose it, do you think she will be okay.
Sounds like that poor cutting has been through a lot. I'd get it stuck in medium and then put it in a spot where it can be left alone for a few months without disturbance. Whether or not it makes it, time will tell. Good luck.
This is great!!! Thank you
Any reason why you don't just pot them and then put them in the box? Surround them with the bark for warmth and protection. Then you pull up the pots without disrupting the roots?
I've thought long and hard about doing this for years now but I like the results I get here and you can pack way more cuttings in this way. I may try individual pots at some point but like I said, I've been thinking about it for almost 14 years now and still haven't done it, lol, so don't hold your breath.
i so love my Grandma's Evergreen's white and pink,i cut some stems ,stuck them in cinnamon powder then into soil in pots,left them outside the veranda the whole autumn,winter and spring.they all are dead with roots 😭
There are some specific requirements for rooting rhododendrons. They aren't an easy plant to figure out but once you get it, you can propagate thousands easily. It takes time and patience for these plants. I started out the same way over 15 years ago and my first cutting died as well. Keep at it and constantly learn. You'll get it.
@@MikeKincaid79 thnks a lot for the reply.i'll try again this year's autumn .they're in bloom now @ my Dad's ancestral house .so beautiful
You used bins with lids before is that ok for small propagating system? And is that strictly bark mulch you put them in?
The bins are mostly for small examples of what I do here. The frames are where the real magic happens.
Thanks for the “one year after” report.
Yep, that's the best part.
Really interesting and I'm taking cuttings now. Not sure if it's the right time of year but I found some branches with the leaf bud on so thought, why not! Sheila from England
Hey Sheila, thanks for checking out the channel! September is the best time to take rhododendron cuttings but I'm always up for an experiment!
Cheers, Mike. I've done the cuttings and trying to get up the courage to do the air cuttings! I'll try it in September and see how it goes! Have a great day. :-)
You can do air layers right now in Spring. Good luck with them and keep us updated!
Thanks for such great videos (my fav was when you forgot the rooting powder - shows your human side!!) and hopefully I report back with success next year! :-)
I'm sure you'll be successful. You have a gardening spirit! I think showing the human side is what it's all about.
Hi just want to know in what season can we prune them and how often do you water them.Thank you
I prune them in the early spring until they start blooming and then let them grow naturally. Watering depends on the temps. I water every other day in the summer and once every month or 2 in the winter.
Great video. I’ve been looking at propagating Villa seeds, but you’ve given me faith that I might be able to figure out propagating by cuttings. It’s seven years since this video. What is your favorite routing hormone now to use?
I've been using Hormodin 3 for semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings for about 16 years and I love the results. There's a link to it in the description of all my videos. Good luck with your cuttings.
Hi I’m from WA state. My rhodies got burned during the heat wave last summer. Some of them do not look very good this spring. Some have sections of bare branches where all the leaves fell off. Some still have dry burned leaves. They are blooming but the color is dull and a lot less blooms than last year. I’m wondering if I should prune burned leaves or cut off the branches that no longer have leaves.
They'll probably be fine if you leave em alone and cut em back when they are dormant
Loved your video! I'm trying to propagate a rody right now, just as a hobby. But, I'm interested in the rody 'Teddy Bear', does the indumentum under the leaf help repel root weevil? Thank you.
+raphoto Peck Glad you liked the video. In my experience, the indumentum doesn't have any bearing on whether or not Root weevils will move in. I just confirmed this by going out and looking at my Teddy Bear rhody and there is a little evidence of root weevil damage. The biggest connection that I've found for increased root weevil damage is based on how much shade the plant gets. I find that when a rhody is in really deep shade (like under a fir tree with very low branches and no direct light), there is a high probability for root weevils and they will severely damage the plant. Not sure why this is but that has been my experience. Thanks for the comment and have fun propagating.
Thanks Mike for that wonderful educational video. I am very new to trying to grow Rhodes. I have a small green house, I was wondering, would it be better to plant in the green house or out side. I live in Washington state.
+Ramsay Mery Are you planting rooted cuttings?
No. I use a cutting, dip it in honey and plant them in a pot.
+Ramsay Mery You need a humid environment with protection from the sun when sticking cuttings so I would definitely use the green house and make sure to shade the cuttings.
Brilliant... So detailed.
Thanks, Sally.
Awesome thank you!!
Great video Mike however I thought the beginning was a little too drawn out. I’ve been in the business since the mid-70s used to have 20 HoopHouse is in South Jersey back in the day when I did landscaping. I found that container rhododendrons had too much of a fibrous root system and the customers would let them dry out or they got the Wilt diseases. I learned I would not buy potted roadies always went with B&B.
Yeah, I prefer B&B rodys too. I have plans to create area where I transplant the potted rododendrons when they get too large for the pots. I'd prefer to sell them that way for the same reason.
Hi Mike, where is the first vid of this series? I thot I saved it and hav bought a new house and want to do my rhody cuttings. Can't find it.
The best of luck to you! I love your videos and I really wish you were located here in Tennessee.
Would love to visit that part of the country someday. If I do, maybe we could meet up.
Mike, thanks for all of the good info. I also watched your video on Hydrangeas and Variegated Wevgia (spelling) . Any tips for cutting back a somewhat leggy Rhoddy?
Thanks for hanging out on the channel and glad you got some good info out of it.
Mike, referring to those Rhodos that aren't responding well, could it be that not all Rhodos do well in Fir Bark?
I remember being very surprised, about 30 years ago, to find Rhododendrons growing in the wild on the hillside-crests of eastern Madison County (eastern slopes of Monte Sano or Green Mountain) and on the high southern slopes of the hills of Jackson County in Alabama. A typical specimen, as I remember, would grow to about 2 to 3 Meters in height and had a diameter of about 3 to 5 Meters. These specimens were very sparce and leggy, very open in structure with their foliage occurring usually only well out from the central base of the plant. And you could always see the forest beyond when looking through the plant. I think it was in the Fall-season when I was there, and they were not in bloom. My impression was that a specimen of this size could have been 100 years old or older.
Here's the surprise. They were growing on loose karsty rocky soil covered with a 4 to 6 inch layer of old but windswept hardwood leaves, dry on top, but moist the deeper one dug. Karsty rocks yield calcium carbonate which itself has a pH of around 9,0. Maybe the decaying hardwood leaves combined with the eroding rocks provide these Rhodos with a special nutrient condition to which they have adapted. (Maybe your specimens had also evolved some similar distinctive regional adaptation, not yet known to you, but possibly a closely-held secret of the people who do know those specimens as growing wild in their neighboring forests.)
Additionally, where these northern Alabama Rhodos were, it does not remain humid for very long. Sure, they might get a downpour from time to time, but those hills also dry-out for long periods every few years. I imagine, however, that the roots of those Rhodos may seek moisture from deep within the rocks where the leaf-matter and calcium-loaded rocks are constantly decaying, slowly turning the mountains into swiss cheese and later, into caves. I remember digging at one smaller specimen to see if I could harvest it for transplant, but that the roots were as sparce and open-structured as the growth above-soil and difficult to access because of the rocky soil. I gave-up trying to find what I considered to be a survivable root-ball. I re-covered the roots with soil and leaves and went on my way.
I mentioned what I witnessed there to you in order to suggest this: Maybe those difficult-to-propogate specimens of yours might respond well to a different environment. For your next attempt with those varieties,
1. Possibly try to get some of that crumbly, karsty, decayed-leaf soil from those hillside-crest regions to see if they like the taste of northern Alabama calcium and leaf-mold, or
2. See if maybe after an initial high-humidity period as a Steckling, maybe those varieties respond better if the foliage area above the soil is allowed to return to a lower or regional ambient humidity after the roots have succeeded.
(Or if you do ever visit northern Alabama, see if you can find some of those specimens, and collect one for yourself.)
If you are interested in yet another specimen, go and visit the Chattooga River, bordering Georgia and South Carolina. Best is to kayak or to hire a raft and enjoy a day on the river. Along the banks are wonderful Rhododendron specimens that grow right at the rivers edge. The roots are certainly accustomed to high levels of moisture at the water's level, but the roots grow also into banks of heavy leaf-litter in the rocky shores. The leaves are very broad and dense, hopelessly blocking any view of the forest on the slopes above the plant from the paddler in the water. I remember beautiful flowers on these specimens.
Good Luck and Have Fun.
Always enjoy watching your channel. I followed your instructions and propagated rhododendrons in a container with individual plant pots that have a humidity lid. I used Miricle grown potting soil I had. have them on my deck. They all turned brown. Not sure why and if I should just throw them out. I wonder if the lid created too much moisture. Any idea?
Possibly. For rhododendrons, I like the frame I use. It's made of wood so it absorbs some water and loses some moisture slowly over time. It's also not a perfect fit so there's a little air flow from the lid and between the 2 sections of the frame. Rhododendrons don't need the sealed, high humidity containers like I use for other plants, and I think they actually prefer a little less humidity. They are hardier and can stand up to less humidity. They also take a long time to root well so you need a place that you can put them and then almost forget about them for months at a time.
Hi Mike how long till I can expect roots to appear?
With rhododendrons, it's a game of patience. Sometimes you can see them within a couple months but they are fine hair like roots and so you won't see really good strong roots until next spring.
@@MikeKincaid79 OH! lol, well that explains a lot!
It was really nice to see the update in the same video. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Mike! I just picked up my first Rhodo and really appreciate your video. Is there a video on how to build your nearing frame?
I have a website propagateplantslikeapro.com
where I sell a group of videos that total 6 hours and explain everything about what I do to propagate rhododendrons. It includes a detailed video on how to build the frame.
Mike is it possible to graft multiple colored rhododendron to one plant? Maybe a episode? So many roadies all one color
Yes, and I don't know why I've never done it but maybe it's time to give it a shot.
@@MikeKincaid79 awesome man, looking forward to it. There’s actually nothing at all on TH-cam. I grafted two red onto my white Sunday. So far they’re looking alive. 🤞
😊🌱So informative, so helpful🌱😊
Tell about the potting mixture and how to water and when to water
It's finely ground fir tree bark: th-cam.com/video/RSPLOLNXTD4/w-d-xo.html I water when I see the top of the medium getting a little on the drier side. That will vary based on the time of year and the temp.
@@MikeKincaid79 thanks Mike
Hi Mike, Have you successfully tried taking cuttings in the spring before blooming? I have an limited access opportunity to take some cuttings now, but I'm not sure if it would be a waste of time taking them now (April/May).
Thanks for the quality videos!
I hate to say it but I think you'd be wasting your time. Hardwood cuttings may root but they'd take a long time to root. Softwood cuttings won't root, or at least not more than 1 in 100. If you can get access in August, that's your best bet for rhododendrons.
@@MikeKincaid79 That's what I figured, I just hoped you might have a trick up your sleeve for making it happen. Thank for the reply!!!
I was just reading the comments looking for someone to say the best time of year to take cuttings. Glad this was answered for me. Thanks for your tutorials. I’m really learning so much! I even tried my hand on a Siberian Elm. I needed to cut back a small branch that was growing rouge & wild. I followed the instructions and it’s still alive! Fingers crossed!
I am giving this a try. I’m using a plastic box with a clear lid. My question is this... where is the best place to overwinter my Rhodies?I am located in north Alabama with somewhat mild winters. I have space in a garage, outside or maybe in the house
It's best to keep them cool and maybe add a little bottom heat for rooting. I'd put them in a garage.
Thank you for sharing
You're welcome
Hi there! Love your videos; so informative! I was wondering about a small honing tool for sequitors that I saw you use in one of your videos. It was such a quick flash that I can't find which video it was in. Would you share this info? Thanks again!
It's just a cheap little sharpener that you can get on amazon. Just search for pruning shear sharpener and you should find it.
I just started learning about propagating and it look like a lot of fun only thing is I'm not sure when I posed to do it cuz I live in Michigan so I'm going into fall now and is that something you do inside or for next year's planting or what
There are so many different plants and ways to propagate each one. Some are better rooted in spring or summer and some do better as hardwood cuttings in winter. It's a big subject but just keep watching videos and learning. The best thing you can do is to pick a few plants that grow well in your area and then start learning all about propagating them.
Thanks for the vid. I have blood red rhodies that I cant buy anymore (they are 25 years old) around me (all pink, purple, etc) so I have been looking to propagate. Would you be able to update the vid (or send me a note) with the watering schedule and amount, along with the pros/cons of the season time you are taking the cut. If you cant (because trade secrets and its your biz), I fully understand. My back looks spectacular when they are in bloom, and I need it to look spectacular-ier.
Hey Gene, glad you found me. If you're interested in propagating rhododendrons then you definitely found the right guy. I actually made a series of videos that is 6 hours in total and they are for sale on my website. Here's the link: propagateplantslikeapro.com It includes all my secrets and everything I do to be so successful with them. The price is set, it barely pays the bills for the site, it's a labor of love. Take it or leave it but you've stumbled upon an inside look and a gem if rhododendrons is really what you're interested in.
How do they survive in winter? I see you keep them outside. Would it also work indoors? What soil do you use? When is the best time to take the cuttings?
They survive the winter because they are native to my area. Cuttings, if rooted well, can survive just as well as more mature plants. I keep them covered for the first year after they've rooted just to keep the frost off. I don't recommend putting cuttings indoors because it changes there natural environment and then you invite problems that the plant isn't use to dealing with like mold and fungus and then you also have to re-acclimate them to the outdoors. For soil I use fine fir bark. I take rhododendron cuttings in the fall because they are taken best as semi-hardwood cuttings. I'm working on a video that will detail all of this.
Hi Mike, do you have a video on the initial trimming/grooming of your new Rhododendrons just out of the nearing?
Yes, I've got several videos about that but if you want a lot more detail, I go over all of this on my website in the member's area: propagateplantslikeapro.com
They look great! When do you take your cuttings? Is this a cedar box with a bottom? Does the bottom have holes it it? Is the box in the shade? Or does it have partial shade? Is the glass clear or textured? Can you do azalia's this way as well?
+Rita Beitz I take cuttings mostly in September although I've had success in August and October as well. The rhody cuttings should be semi-hardwood so the time you take them can vary depending on how early Spring comes and how much time the new growth has to mature. Evergreen azaleas are one of the easiest plants to propagate and they can be taken in August. They will usually root within a couple months. The frame I have is made with pressure treated wood. You can use cedar if you prefer that but it can be really expensive. There is no bottom to the box, just 1 inch cage wire to prevent moles from digging into the cuttings area. I think I also put weed fabric under the frame to prevent worms and other digging critters out. Don't use wood on the bottom though because you want good drainage. The frame in on the North side of my shop and gets bright overhead blue sky all day long but absolutely no direct sun. If sun hits the glass, you'll cook your cuttings unless you have a lot of filtered shade overhead from trees or fencing. My glass top is clear but it could be textured if that is what you have on hand. I just like to see into the frame but all that matters is that light gets to the cuttings. Hope that answers your questions. Thanks for visiting my channel. By the way, I'm thinking about creating a video to sell that has every bit of information on how I do what I do and how to build the frame as well. Let me know if that's something you might be interested in, and if enough people are interested I'll get started on it. Have an awesome day!
+Mike Kincaid Hi Mike, I really like your videos. Thank you for sharing all this information. I would be interested on purchasing your video if you ever create one.
+Mike Kincaid
Good morning Mike,
Awesome information very easy to understand and follow. Have you started on that video? Thank you and good luck.
+karen lowry Haven't started yet. We've been so busy now that Spring is here. Once things calm down, I'll get going on it. Thanks for your interest!
Hi great video, is there a reason why your raised bad is half way filled with soil?
Thanks
Yes, you need room for the tops of the cuttings. If I filled it to the top and then put the lid on, it would crush the cuttings.
mike I liked your videos and you have a sense of humor to boot. I have a question : is it a good idea to use vinegar and water to lower ph and.... what is the ideal ph for Rhododendron?
Which month sould we do this propagation? Thank you for the helpfull video.
For rhododendrons in the northern hemisphere you should take cuttings in August.