Re: Davidia involucrata (Dove Tree)

Louise - I have to admit I know nothing of the Dove Tree, however the mere 
mention of it intriqued me a great deal.  I have a collection (about 100) of 
garden books dating from 1856 to current.  In The American Horticultural 
Society A-Z Enclyclopedia of Garden Plants (first american edition, 1997) by 
Christopher Brickell & Judith D. Zuk, editors in chief, says the following 
and I quote:

   Davidia, Dove Tree, Ghost Tree, Handkercief tree (Nyssaceae)
   Propagation:  "Sow the whole fruit in a seedbed or in containers in an 
open 
   frame as soon as ripe.  Germination normally occurs in spring after
   2 winters outdoors.   Seed-raised plants may not flower for up to 20 
years. 
   Instert leaf bud cuttings in early autumn or hardwood cutting in winter."

Also, in The New Garden Encyclopedia dated 1936, edited by E.L.D. Seymour, 
B.S.A.,  mentions that layering will work and cuttings of half-ripened wood.

I know quoting from books may not help you alot...but the information about 
the 2 full winter until germination may help you know that patience is a 
must.  I have been able to root some very hard to root items by simply 
placing ripe cuttings in a 50/50 mix of perlite and vermiculite and putting a 
large zip lock over.  I place this on top of the refrig in the house....warm 
bottom, cool top.  I was able to root a very unusual hibiscus this 
way...note....I made the mistake the first time of transplanting too soon.  
The cutting was forming new leaves like crazy and I thought I could 
transplant...I was wrong...the roots were just forming....I'm now on my 
second try, the cutting has been in the rooting pot for 6 months.....I'm not 
going to touch it...it will stay there until it's too big for the pot.  I 
used one of those quart size round plastic pots.....that way I could put the 
zip lock on with the opening on top...every few days I open it up to let the 
cutting breath.

Anyway...good luck

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