blueberry propagation
by Jonathan
(South Carolina,USA)
Doug says that rooting hormone powder hasn't been shown to be all that useful in commercial production of blueberries when they are produced as soft cuttings. Not only that but there is a variability between varieties that propagate easily with soft cuttings.
You can also use hardwood cuttings, mounding, and seeds to get new plants. If you're an expert, you can even graft new plants.
I note the success or failure of the soft cuttings are going to be determined more by the mist system you use, the heat the cuttings are kept at, the time you take the cuttings and the overall management rather than rooting hormone powder.
So take your softwood cuttings this year and make sure you're following all the rules for propagation.
And a small tip - if you're really into providing some hormones, try rooting up willow stems and/or ivy in a glass of water. Water the plants with the water from these plants (and keep topping up their jar. If you're trying to root the cuttings in a jar of water, simply put the willow and/or ivy into the jar or water along with the blueberry cuttings. These plants produce rooting hormones as part of their own rooting and the water will soon be full of "natural" rooting hormone.
Good luck and let us know how you do
