Hepaticas from root cuttings

[chris]

thanks Maggi, Martin you're right, H.heryi makes a lot of roots and while I was repotting some fell off, so I tried to make cuttings from them and these where the results, this week I will try it with some Japanese and also with H.nobilis.
I have tried it in autum but than it failled, I think in autum you have root growing and in spring you have the start of new shoots.
I take also my anemone cuttings in spring, in the nursery where I worked we always take root cuttings in spring and important NO  fertiliser at all,
other questions for tommorow, I'm out for the rest of the day

[Olga Bondareva]

Chris thank you again for very useful and detailed report! I'll try to do the same with my nobilis, transilvanica and others!

Maggy 

[Gunilla]

Very interesting, Chris. This is something I must try. Thanks for showing us. 

[Gerry Webster]

Edit - my apologies, I posted in the wrong thread. Have moved the post to Hepatica 2011

[johngennard]

I read somewhere that root cuttngs were a possible technique for raising new plants and that the cuttings should be as stout as possible.I have tried it several times with japonicas but without success.There seems little point with others as they produce plenty of seed.

[johngennard]

I have since located the source of advice and it is contained in the publication by the NIGATA NURSERIES ASOCIATION of JAPAN. which accompanied their wonderful exhibit in association with Ashwood Nurseries at the RHS's flower show in London on the 15th.Feb.2000,and in my opinion never since surpassed by any other exhibit.They state and I quote verbatum:-

< PROPAGATION >
THERE ARE THREE METHODS OF PROPAGATION PRACTISED

1.  Division   This is generally done when repotting in Spring or Autumn.
2.  Cuttings  When potting in Autumn,a mature subterraneum stem is cut into several pieces and inserted into compost.
                 After one month new leaves emerge from the nodes.
3.  Seed      Seeds ripen approxiametely 40 days after pollination.These are sown as soon as ripe(in April)normally on sand.
                 They must not be allowed to dry out.


I
 would add that I sow in the same compost that I grow in and that I have tried taking root cuttings on several occassions without any success

[KK-Ann Arbor]

Hello, fellow Hepatica forumists.
This is my very first comment and I am so excited!

I am a transplanted Japanese living just outside of Detroit, Michigan, since early 80's.  Japanese gardening books, magazines on growing wildflowers, etc., that I have read mention propagation with root cuttings to be one of the commonly used methods for H. Japonica.  However, I have not had any success myself and really interested to hear others experiences.
By the way, February is the month for annual Hepatica shows by Hepatica associations both in Niigata and Tokyo, in Japan.  If you happen to be in Japan, you must check it out!! 

[Maggi Young]

Welcome KK, the rich growing area around Ann Arbor seems to be a good place to be "transplanted" to and we hope that you might like to "put a few roots down" here, too............ sorry, cannot resist a little joke!    (and yes, folks, I know, that was a very little joke)

[annew]

What a very interesting idea - I'll certainly be having a go. Thank you for your experience, Chris.

[Natalia]

Chris, thanks for the magnificent message. Fine illustrations!

To make multiple copies such method I did not try.

 I make multiple copies Hepatica other method - implanting a kidney with a small piece of a stalk (whether I do not know correctly I name?) and about 1-2 leaves during the period right after flowerings and to the middle of June.
 
This way has appeared successful for Hepatica nobilis, Hepatica asiatica and Hepatica henryi.

[annew]

Natalia, although your English is excellent, 'implanting a kidney' is not clear to me. Please could you describe this a little more?

[Natalia]

Anne, I beg your pardon, I am not strong in botanical terminology in English. I am only familiar chemical terms

 For clarity, here is this photo:
 Photo 1 - Hepatica cuttings remaining from the division of rhizomes
 Photo 2 - cuttings were planted in the ground, then on top - a small greenhouse.
 Photo 3 - the first flowering plants from the kidney, the second spring after division.

[annew]

No need for apology  -  now I understand. I sometimes have pieces without roots when I divide. It is good to know they can grow into new plants.

[Natalia]

Anne, this way stable and tested, it is good to implant a kidney with a rhizome part, but that thin roots are capable to germinate - I did not know.
 Many thanks to Chris for a magnificent illustration of this way!

[Paul T]

Fascinating!!  Absolutely fascinating!!  Thanks all.