Growing Beautyberry From Cuttings

Preparation

• Containers measuring about 5 inches in diameter work well for rooting beautyberry, and three or four stems can be planted in each container. Use a clean container with a drainage hole in the bottom. The best medium for rooting is a well-drained mixture, such as a mix containing half coarse sand and half perlite or peat. Before planting softwood cuttings, wet the potting medium so it is evenly moist clear through, but not dripping wet. One way to accomplish this is to water the medium thoroughly, then set it aside to drain while you take the cuttings.

Taking Cuttings

• Propagation by rooting softwood cuttings -- young, flexible stems that aren't fully hardened -- works well for beautyberry and most other deciduous shrubs. To take softwood cuttings, cut stem tips measuring about 2 inches long, making each cut just below a node. For the best chance of success, take cuttings in the morning when stems are plump and well hydrated. Cut only the healthiest stems because weak growth is more susceptible to fungal disease. Avoid any growth that shows signs of disease or pests. Leave two to three pairs of leaves at the top, but remove leaves from the lower half to two-thirds of the stem. To facilitate rooting, remove a tiny sliver of bark from the bottom of the stem using the tip of a sharp knife. This small wound helps the cutting absorb moisture and hormones.

Planting Cuttings

• Planting cuttings correctly in the moist medium is critical, as improper handling decreases the chance of successful rooting. To prevent damage to the cuttings during planting, make three or four planting holes in the moist potting soil, using your fingertip. or a pencil or similar object. Space the holes an equal distance apart around the inner edge of the container. Dipping the cut end of each stem in rooting hormone -- either gel, powder or liquid -- just before planting also increases the chance of success. Plant the stems in the holes just deep enough to stand upright, then pat soil gently around the stems.

After Planting

• Cuttings benefit from a warm, humid, greenhouse-type environment and bright, indirect light. Create this by covering the pot with a plastic dome, or make a dome by inverting the top half of a clear plastic soda bottle over the pot. Alternatively, cover the pot with a plastic bag, then seal the bag with a rubber band. Remove the dome or open the bag for 10 minutes twice every week to prevent buildup of excessive moisture that may rot the cuttings. When the cuttings show healthy new growth, usually in about two months, remove the plastic. Continue to keep the plants in bright indirect light, watering as necessary to keep the potting medium slightly moist but never soggy. Although you can plant the new beautyberry shrubs outdoors when all danger of frost has passed the following spring, the small plants often benefit from an additional year of growth in a protected environment.