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Propagating red twig dogwood cuttings into new plants is easy!
We love propagating twig dogwood cuttings into new plants. That’s because it’s easy to do.
Plus, propagating means we can grow new plants from existing plants. So this enables us to expand our garden without buying more dogwood plants. Moreover, we don’t have to buy special equipment or new plants.
What does propagating actually mean?
Propagating in this instance refers to cutting a stem from a plant and growing a new plant from that cutting. Some call these cuttings “slips.”
So, how do you take the right cutting or slip?
Begin by cutting a young stem of your twig dogwood. And make sure cut at a node. Moreover, be sure to remove any extra internode on your cutting. That’s because internodes will likely rot in the ground. And this may hamper the growth.
What are nodes and internodes?
A branch node is where new buds emerge on a stem. These bud points may be very obvious bumps. Or they may be a bit more hidden.
The internodes you’ll want to remove when propagating red twig dogwood are the parts of the branch between each node.
Do you need to apply hormones when propagating red twig dogwood?
Usually, new roots will sprout from red twig dogwood cuttings without applying anything extra to the stems.
However, you could apply a rooting hormone to the cut end of the stem. This can help stimulate the new growth.
Or, another option is to soak the cut end of the twig dogwood cutting in water with a cutting of willow. And let them soak together for about 24-48 hours. That’s because willow can release chemicals that behave like rooting hormones you might purchase at a nursery.
However, in our experience, properly cut twig dogwood will root without any added hormone or willow water.
How to plant your twig dogwood cuttings to grow new plants:
It’s incredibly easy to propagate red twig dogwood from cuttings. Usually this amounts to simply sticking your cutting into moist soil where you want your new dogwood plant to grow. Then, keep the area well watered. Soon you should notice new shoots begin to emerge if your plant roots in properly.
When can I take dogwood cuttings for propagation?
In our experience, taking dogwood cuttings anytime from early autumn to early spring works well. That’s because the plants should be dormant at this time of year.
Moreover, during these months, the ground should be moist but not frozen. That means you can likely take your cuttings and immediately insert them right into the ground to propagate new dogwood plants.
How to propagate twig dogwood in decorative planters:
Red twig dogwood stems are beautiful in decorative winter containers. Plus, they’re likely to root into the container soil especially in winter. That way in spring, you can dig them up to transplant “bare root” into your garden.
To do this, prune long cuttings from existing stands of red twig dogwood. Cut out any internodes at the bottom. Then insert the stem into your decorative planter soil. But be sure that a few nodes are deep in the soil. That way they can send out roots. And you should be able to transplant those shoots in spring just as you’re ready to refurbish your plants with flowers.
Can you dig dogwoods to divide them?
Twig dogwood always send out spreading roots. So if you don’t want the original plant to spread far and wide, simply dig up any spreading roots that are sending up shoots. Then plant what you’ve divided elsewhere. This is a great way to reduce unwanted spread in one spot. And you can inexpensively expand your garden in new areas.
Should you store cuttings in sawdust over winter?
We’ve attempted propagating twig dogwoods by taking cuttings in fall. Then, we stored the cuttings indoors in sawdust over winter. This is a way that should create a bareroot plant like you’d buy at a nursery in late winter. However, this method only resulted in dead twigs by spring for us.
A final note on the Cornus genus…
Dogwoods are in the Cornus genus. So they include lots of plants, including many twig dogwoods. Too, you might find dogwoods underfoot. That’s because Cornus canadensis is a ground cover dogwood. As well several kinds of dogwood trees are available, such as the Pacific dogwood and other beautiful trees that might bloom in all sorts of lovely colors.
What is the best type of soil to use when potting the cuttings before they are planted outside?
Thank you!
Wanda, Thanks for writing in. Potting soil rather than digging up garden soil should work best in containers.
I am eager to propogate some red twig dogwood…it is Jan. 15 (Central Oregon – Bend) and I have these questions:
Does it matter if I cut new vs. older stems?
And which is better… to pot them and leave in garage until Spring? Or set in a jar filled with water in house (or garage)?
Thanks!
Krista,
In our experience, it easily roots off of both old and new stems. We prefer to put them directly in soil, but if you have several shoots available, maybe try a few methods to see what works best for you. Good luck!
Can you plant the cuttings directly in the soil that you want the dogwood to be, or do you need to let them root in pots first? Thanks!
Beverly, Thanks for your question. In our experience, depending on when you do the cutting, how big your cuttings are, where you intend to grow the cutting, and how you care for the cutting transplant, there may be no need to grow the cutting in a pot before putting it where you want it to grow. Good luck!
Is late summer a bad time to cut a branch to regrow?
Jennifer, We’re not clear about what you’re asking here. Are you asking about taking a cutting to propagate your red twig dogwood. Or are you asking about pruning it to regenerate new growth? If it’s the latter, you might start by reading some of our pruning articles like this one. And if you need more help understanding deeper pruning issues, our online pruning lessons might be really helpful! Of course, if you would like to clarify your question here, we might be able to help. Good luck!
What is the best method to send some red twig cuttings from Michigan to my daughter in Atlanta?
Christopher, Your first step before shipping cuttings would be to check interstate laws regarding sending plant materials from your location and to your daughter’s location. Also, keep in mind that the provenance of a plant can impact how well it will (or will not) perform in another location. So, a plant from Michigan might not do well in Atlanta, even if the plant variety is rated to perform in both places. Good luck!
Do the slips need to be a certain length?
Can they be too long?
If you put the slips in the ground in warmer months, should they be shaded or watered more frequently to thrive?
Should you not try to plant slips in the summer?
How long does it take the planted slips to begin to grow? When do you give up and consider them dead?
Shelley, Thanks for your questions. Length needs to include at least a few nodes. If they’re long shoots, some top growth may die back as they root in. We prefer to do these cutting transplants in spring rather than summer. But when planting anything in summer/warm months, we definitely water new plantings. How long it takes for the cuttings to grow can vary for many reasons – timing, soil, care, weather, and more. Your call when you decide to give up and (hopefully) try again.
I just took a few cuttings December 4th—here in Kansas we haven’t had our first hard frost yet but we’ve had a day of snow and a couple weeks of sub-40°F. I can’t replant right away, because I’ve got to wait for the tree my cuttings are replacing to be cut down (at which time the tree they came from will also be cut down ?), so should I try to make them root in pots in the meantime, or just leave them in the garage or in the yard? Then, should I replant as soon as there’s space (i.e. middle or late December, when who knows what the weather’s gonna be beyond cold), or continue to store and/or root them until spring?
Cali, you could try inserting the cuttings into a pot with soil or try rooting them in water. Since it’s so cold, you might need to bring them indoors or somewhere not frozen for best luck.