[gretahen]

I have two troughs on my balcony each containing three griselinia littoralis they make a very good screen. I planted them two years ago and they are beginning to outgrow the troughs. I would like advice on how to divide them so I can replant back smaller plants and plant the extra in other pots.
Many thanks

[michael brenock]

do not divide the Griselinia. Take cuttings and grow the cuttings in the container. Plant the older plants outside.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

[gretahen]

Thank you for your reply Michael. If it's not too much trouble can you explain how I take cuttings or direct me to a website that will explain how to do this

[verge]

Softwood cuttings gretahen

Cut fresh (green not woody) stems about eight inches long and strip them of all their leaves except for the top two or three leaves. Then moisten the end of the cutting and dip it in hormone rooting powder.

Fill a pot with moist cutting compost and create a hole for the cutting by using a pencil or some similar object. This will prevent the rooting hormone rubbing from the cutting upon insertion. Place the lower 2 inches of the cutting in the compost filled pot and firm around it

Grow on in in indirect sunlight in a warm location (about 20C). Mist the cutting regularly to maintain humidity or else cover it with a clear plastic bag secured with a rubber band around the pot. If you use the bag method ensure the following, that you open the bag for a minimum of five minutes a day to allow the the cutting breathe, also ensure that the wet bag is not touching against the cutting. Use a wire hoop or two to keep the bag and the cutting separate.

Rooting can be expected to take place from ten weeks onwards.
Final tip: Take lots of cuttings at once, only one in twenty may root, so insure you have twenty taken.
Good luck .

[gretahen]

Thanks for that Verge, it sounds pretty daunting but I will giv it a go!

[gretahen]

I have just got around to following your instructions and I must say I am very surprised at how easy it was. Weather wise it is the best day of the year so far so hopefully the cuttings do well. I did ten cuttings but need eight plants so I guess I would be right in saying I need to do a hell of a lot more! can you tell me what time of the year is best for taking cuttings. Thanks again for all the helpful advice

[AJ]

Has anybody noticed the way u get barerooted griss in some garden centres, they seem to be tied in bunches and rooted in a sandy kind of mediun, anybody know how to do this successfully.