Rooting a Yoshino Cherry

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A springtime flowering favorite of mine is the Yoshino cherry tree (Prunus x yedoensis).  I’ve written about these trees several times in the past and I know I’ll write about it again as it is such a valuable tree in the landscape for it’s ornamental beauty. I’ve never been able to root this tree…until now! 

A couple months ago I took seven hardwood cuttings from a Yoshino Cherry tree in my parent’s yard.  The cuttings were about 8 inches long and were in the first year of growth.  The recently hardened off cuttings were treated with rooting hormone then placed into a pot of sand and kept watered in a humid environment (the bathroom! I’m really glad my wife tolerates my hobby so well!).  I’m sure a plastic bag covering the pot would allow for the necessary humidity. All of the cuttings are still alive but as of yet only one has rooted.  The roots are just tiny little nubs and need to grow a little longer (to a 1/2 inch) before being transplanted into a pot with potting soil.  Hopefully I’ll be able to do that within the next week. 

A Few Random Observations:

1. The roots are forming along the stem and not at a node. 
2. Most sources said to propagate Yoshino cherry using greenwood cuttings in the spring.  Hardwood cuttings are generally more reliable in most plants but take more time to form roots.
3. This is very similar to the method of propagation I used for Purple Leaf Plums.  That’s not surprising since they are both members of the Genus Prunus.
4. Although I didn’t keep track of the time it took for these roots to begin forming I’m estimating that it took about 8 weeks. 
5. The first cutting to root was made from the tip end of a branch with a very small diameter, perhaps as small as 1/8-1/4 of an inch.
6. Rooting a Yoshino Cherry is very cool!

Read More about Propagating Plants for your Home Landscape and Garden.

12 thoughts on “Rooting a Yoshino Cherry”

  2. Hi Dave, you know I love the yoshino too, and will be watching your progress with the cuttings. I would love to propagate some things, but have had very poor luck. Have you ever tried the gel pots seen in the back of the catalogs? The gel is clear so you can see the roots without pulling the plant out of the pot? They look so promising, if pricey, but still cheaper than buying more plants.
    Frances

  5. Tina and Cameron,

    Would that be a new take on “Clue”? A botanical version perhaps with Professor Prunus?

    Frances,

    I’ve never tried the gel but it’s supposed to work better than the powders as the powders can wash away more.

    Racquel,

    Thanks. Jenny does a very good job of tolerating all the plant stuff that lays around. Of course I need to do a better job of getting my toys put away!

  8. Excellent! Did these sit in a window in the bathroom – or just in a typical dark bathroom? How long were your cuttings and how deep in the media?

    You know, clear plastic “paper” cups make great mini greenhouses for this sort of thing.

  10. David,

    Good questions. I’ll go back and edit the original post to add those details. They were on a counter top in indirect light from the windows. They were about 8 inches long and about 2-3 inches deep in the media. At least 2 nodes were covered.

    Jenny,

    There is truth in advertising! A garden tub should be a garden tub!

  12. Congrats on the rooted cuttings! I haven’t tried cuttings before, but this year plan to try rooting some from my rose bushes (whose patents have expired) and delphiniums. And my bathtub is often filled with plants of some sort . . . very funny to read of another bathroom nursery. Such a great place for things you want to check on regularly 😉
    Regards, VW

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