Propagating vinegar trees is a piece of cake. You even have two different options for this. Propagation works with both cuttings and root cuttings.
Usually, the vinegar tree does not need to be propagated. It does this all by itself through its root runners or through the seeds with the help of the birds. Unfortunately, the plant does not ask us in advance where it should grow a new bush. If you are looking for a specific spot for your new shrub, you have to do it yourself.
Propagation by cuttings and root cuttings is very simple. Sowing is also possible, but not recommended. Because the effort is high, the process is complicated and the germination rate is disappointingly low.
Propagating vinegar tree - 2 variants presented
➜ Propagating vinegar tree by cuttings
In winter you can take cuttings from the biennial shoots of the vinegar tree.
1 First remove the shoot tip and divide the shoot into 15 centimeter long cuttings. The number of leaf nodes is more important than the exact length. Each cutting should have at least two, but preferably three or four of these knots.
2 Cut the lower end of the cutting, on which the roots will later form, at an angle, the upper end is trimmed straight.
3 Now mix sandy soil with a little peat and place the mixture in a plant pot. Insert the cutting so that it protrudes about halfway out of the ground and place it in a bright, cool place. The ideal temperature is between 6°C and 12°C.
4 Water the cuttings regularly, but only so much that the plant pot does not dry out completely. Roots have already developed in the coming spring and in summer you can then expose the cuttings to the chosen location in the garden. The vinegar tree thrives best in sunny to semi-shady places.
➜ Propagating vinegar tree by root cuttings
1 On a frost-free winter day, trim the root cuttings of the vinegar tree. Choose root sections that are approximately onecentimeters thick and divide them into five to ten centimeter long cuttings. You can also first cut off larger sections with a spade and then do the fine work above ground with a sharp knife or a carpet cutter. Always make sure that at least two thirds of the roots remain on the mother plant.
2 Cut the root pieces straight at the top and at an angle at the bottom. Push each cutting individually into a plant pot with sandy soil so that it is flush at the top.
3 Now cover the pot with a thin layer of gravel. In the next few months, the cuttings should be kept cool and watered very sparingly.
4 Place the plant pot in the garden in spring and then place the cuttings outdoors in late summer or autumn. You can't go far wrong when choosing the soil: Thanks to their extensive, flat roots, vinegar trees thrive well in nutrient-poor soil. However, they also grow well in loamy soil.