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Propagating mock orange

Jill Zimmerman asked about propagating mock orange.

Since you're in Washington state, Jill, I wonder whether you mean
your local Philadelphus lewisii or one of the many other Philadelphus
species.

For P. lewisii, at least, cuttings take easily: 4" softwood cuttings
in a greenhouse, under mist, in early summer; or 8" hardwood cuttings
stuck in the ground in the fall, and mulched over the winter. For
insurance, use a rooting hormone -- you'll find them in a garden
store. You need to make sure your cuttings don't dry out and don't
freeze to death, but that's about it.

Philadelphus seed is even easier, though. To germinate, it needs
light after a period of cold.You can fuss with refrigerators and grow
lights. But you can also just sow the seed on top of a tray of peat,
perlite and sand right now; leave the tray out in the elements over
the winter; and in late spring your new plants will sprout. Don't
worry about freezing and thawing. Just don't sow too much seed. It's
as fine as cinnamon dust.

Rooted cuttings may be taller during the first year or so; after
that, seedlings usually catch up. 

As you probably know, every cutting is a clone. Growing from seed
promotes greater diversity.

Paige Woodward
pwoodwar@rapidnet.net
Pacific Rim Native Plants
On top of Chilliwack Mountain in southwestern British Columbia
Wet Zone 6
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