Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica) can be easily propagated through stem cuttings (softwood) or by dividing rooted suckers (root division), with cuttings taken between May and September rooting in about four weeks.
Here’s a more detailed look at the propagation methods:
1. Stem Cuttings:
- Timing: Take cuttings from May to September.
Method:
- Select healthy, disease-free stems.
- Cut stems below a node at a 45-degree angle.
- Remove lower leaves to encourage rooting.
- Dip the cut end in rooting hormone (optional, but can help).
- Plant the cuttings in a well-draining potting mix and keep them moist.
- Rooting typically occurs within 3-4 weeks.
- Tips:
- Keep cuttings in a sheltered location with indirect light.
- Ensure the soil stays consistently moist but not soggy.
- You can also propagate by placing cuttings in water until roots develop, then transplanting them into soil.
2. Root Division (Suckering):
- Timing: Autumn is the best time to divide rooted suckers.
- Method:
- Carefully dig around the plant and locate any rooted suckers (offshoots).
- Gently snip or cut the suckers free from the parent plant.
- Plant the suckers in a new location.
- Tips:
- Virginia sweetspire is known for its prolific suckering habit, making this a relatively easy propagation method.
- If you don’t want the plant to spread, remove any unwanted suckers.
3. Seed Propagation:
- Timing: Collect seeds in late summer or early fall.
- Method:
- Collect seed pods and remove the seeds.
- Store seeds in a sealed container in the refrigerator until spring.
- Sow seeds thinly in flats or seed trays in a greenhouse or indoors.
- Keep the soil moist and provide adequate light.
- Tips:
- Sweetspire seeds are very small and require a well-draining potting medium.
- Sweetspire grows best if kept in a container for one year.