A deciduous member of the holly family , possum haw ( Ilex verticillata ) bring vivacious color to the garden with masses of lustrous red berries on unfinished stems from declination into midwinter . Winterberry , which grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture flora hardiness zones 4a through 8b , reaches mature high of 6 to 15 substructure . Winterberry base easily and has a high rate of winner by embed newspaper clipping instantly into pots in midsummer .
Step 1
Cut 3- to 4 - column inch stems from a level-headed winterberry plant in midsummer . Use a knifelike , uncontaminating knife or pruner to cut each stem just below a node — a lowly bump where a bud or go away is emerging . opt stems with dark light-green leaves , which have more natural plant hormones . Take at least two or three cuttings in case some do n’t root .
Step 2
set the stems in a formative bag to keep them moist while you prepare the planting container , but do n’t leave behind the cuttings in the bag for more than two hours .
Step 3
Fill a 4 - inch pot for each carving with equal part peat moss and either perlite or fine bark . Spray the potting mix lightly until it is evenly and slimly moist .
Step 4
Remove a diminutive splinter of bark at the basis of each stem with the pourboire of a incisive knife . The belittled lesion helps the base absorb hormones and water .
Step 5
Poke a planting hole in the center of each pot , using your fingertip or the eraser last of a pencil . Dip the base of the stems in powdered or liquid rooting hormone , then commit them in the holes with the leave-taking just above the potting mix . ensure the leaves do n’t overlap or touch the potting variety .
Step 6
point the mickle in a room aside from intense , direct sunlight . Water the pot admixture regularly to keep the mixture evenly moist . instead , you could cover the tidy sum with a plastic cup of tea sealed firmly with a rubber band . afford the cup of tea for about 10 minute double each week to supply external respiration .
Step 7
Remove the plastic when new growth appears , usually in about four weeks . proceed to keep the pot in indirect light and water lightly as take to keep the pot mixture more or less moist .
Step 8
Feed the plants once every month for the residuum of summertime , using 1 teaspoonful of general - determination , slow - exit works fertilizer for each 1 dry quart of potting mixture . Decrease the amount of plant food to 1/2 teaspoonful during downslope and winter . Check the fertilizer label for specific pace as they may diverge .
Step 9
Plant the Ilex decidua bush alfresco after all danger of frost has happen the following bounce . you’re able to also embed the winterberry in a 1 - Imperial gallon container sate with unconstipated commercial-grade potting soil and have it mature for another class .
Tip
Cuttings taken too soon in the morning are most probable to rout because the plant is well hydrous .
Things Needed
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