Inkberry, or Ilex glabra, can be propagated through semi-hardwood cuttings taken in late summer or early autumn, or by hardwood cuttings in January with bottom heat.
Here’s a more detailed guide:
1. Semi-Hardwood Cuttings (Late Summer/Early Autumn):
- Select healthy stems: Choose firm, pest-free stems from a healthy plant.
- Cut the stems: Cut 4-6 inch pieces, snipping just above a node (where leaves emerge) with sterilized shears.
- Prepare the cuttings: Strip the lower leaves to prevent rot, and dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
- Plant the cuttings: Plant them in a well-draining soil mix, about 2-3 inches deep, and space them out.
- Maintain moisture: Keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy, and cover with a clear plastic to create a mini-greenhouse effect.
- Rooting: After a few weeks, gently tug on the cuttings to check for root development. Once rooted, pot them up individually.
2. Hardwood Cuttings (January with Bottom Heat):
- Select mature stems: Choose mature stems in late fall or winter when the plant is dormant.
- Cut the stems: Cut a 6-8 inch piece, ensuring it has at least one node for rooting.
- Trim the top: Snip the top of the cutting to encourage new growth.
- Apply Bottom Heat: Place the cuttings in a container with a well-draining soil mix and provide bottom heat.
- Maintain Moisture: Keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy.
- Rooting: After a few weeks, gently tug on the cuttings to check for root development. Once rooted, pot them up individually.
Additional Tips:
- Inkberry is a dioecious species, meaning it has separate male and female plants, so you’ll need both to produce berries.
- It spreads naturally through root suckers (rhizomes), so you can also propagate it by dividing these suckers.
- Inkberry thrives in moist to poorly drained, humus-rich, neutral to acidic soil in sun or partial shade.
- It is adaptable to all soil textures, including clay.
- Prune in late winter or early spring to shape the shrub and remove any dead or damaged branches.