If you want to multiply sloes, you have 5 options. Each approach has its pros and cons, but none of them are complicated.
There are a number of good reasons to propagate blackthorn (Prunus spinosa). The distinctive wild wood has long since found its way into our gardens. The plants are easy to care for and a popular bird protection hedge. Tits or warblers set up their nests in dense branches and can breed undisturbed. In spring, the sloe attracts numerous insects. Last but not least, the berries can be harvested after the first frost and processed into liqueur, for example. If you want your sloe hedge to grow, or you're thinking of doing the same thing as your neighbor and want to plant sloes too, then our tips and advice on propagating trees and shrubs will be the right reading for you.Propagating sloes - possibilities
- Cuttings
- Roots
- Sticks
- Lowerer
- Seeds
1. Propagating sloe by cuttings
Even amateurs will discover a cultivation method for themselves with the propagation of cuttings, which causes few problems and guarantees good results. The ideal time to take cuttings is during the summer months. Older shoots, i.e. those that have already grown quite vigorously and are woody, are suitable as cuttings. The cutting should be about 20 centimeters long. A few pairs of leaves are left in the upper part of the cutting. In the lower part, leaves and buds are to be removed, as these would rot if they are underground.
The cuttings are placed in a planter filled with a peat-sand mixture and placed in a partially shaded location. The cutting must not dry out, but should not be watered too intensively either. A strong root system should have developed in the spring and you can plant the sloe in the desired location.
Propagation by cuttings in keywords:
- cut woody cuttings in summer
- remove lower leaves and buds
- Put the cuttings in the planter
- Fill the planter with peat and sand
- place in semi-shade
- Water lightly over winter
- imPlant out spring
This type of propagation will not cost you much effort, because the sloe forms plenty of root suckers. You can separate these root pieces cleanly from the mother plant with a sharp spade. Root suckers are preferably cut in spring. The root cuttings can be handled in different ways. You can cut off a section about half a meter long and immediately replant it in the open ground. The planting depth should be maintained and the root cuttings should be placed just as deep in the ground as they were at the old location.
You can also cut the root suckers to a few centimeters and place them in planters that you have filled with a nutrient-poor substrate. Maintain constant moisture in the planter and watch the root cuttings. As soon as the roots are visible on the bottom of the pot, the sloe can be planted outdoors.
Propagation by root suckers in keywords:
- Remove root cuttings from mother plant
- either put directly outdoors
- or shorten to about five centimeters and grow in plant pots
3. Propagating sloes with sticks
Propagating plants with sticks has generally gone somewhat out of fashion. This is a very simple and particularly efficient method that even inexperienced hobby gardeners can easily try out. In winter there is little to do in the garden. Cutting sticks can be rewarding activity.
Tip: Propagation with sticks is particularly suitable if large numbers of offshoots are to be grown.
The stick differs from the cutting. As already described, cuttings are cut during the growing season. Leave a few pairs of leaves above ground and plant the cuttings in the ground. Sticks are cut during the hibernation and stuck into the ground without leaves. Propagation works extremely well with both methods.
Sticks are cut from strong and well wooded shoots from the previous year. The sticks should also be cut about 20 centimeters long. It is important that each stick has several leaf nodes, otherwise shoots cannot develop and the cuttings cannot develop roots either.
Sticks can be placed in planters and pulled forward around the house. Anyone thisIf you want to save effort, store the cut wood frost-free and plant it directly outdoors in the ground in spring.
Tip: Sticks are planted deeper than cuttings. One or two leaf nodes should be underground.
Keep the sticks evenly moist. After about a week, the sticks begin to sprout.
Tip: Choose a rather cool location when growing in the room.
Propagation by cuttings in keywords:
- Cutting sticks in winter
- either put in plant pots
- or overwinter frost-free and plant directly outdoors in spring
- Keep logs evenly moist
If you already own a sloe and want to get this company, for example to create a hedge, propagation by layering is an effective option without much effort. Choose a strong branch. This should bend all the way down to the floor.
Create a furrow in the ground and insert the branch. The branch is covered with earth. The front end is sticking out. To ensure that the shoot grows upright, tie it to a wooden stick.
Tip: Weight down the soiled portion of the branch with a rock to keep the sinker from popping out of the ground.
If the planter is prepared as described in early summer, the branch should have rooted sufficiently by autumn and can be separated from the mother plant and planted separately. If you want to be on the safe side, you can also leave the layer on the mother plant until next spring.
Propagation by lowering in keywords:
- bring strong branch to the ground
- Put branch in furrow
- Cover the branch in the middle with soil
- Weigh the branch with a stone
- Expose branch with its leading end
- Tie the sinker to a wooden stick
- separate after rooting and plant separately
5. Propagating Sloes by Sowing
If you are not in a hurry to get new sloe plants, you can also try the sowing method. In order for sowing to succeed, the seeds must be stratified. This sounds more complicated than it actually is. Since the sloe is one of the cold germs, the seed must first be informed that it is time to germinate. To do this, fill in the seedsbag filled with moist sand and put it in the fridge for about a month. Then the sowing can take place. To do this, choose planters or sow the sloe directly outdoors. Keep the seeds evenly moist and germination will be fairly reliable.
Tip: The seeds can also be sown outdoors in autumn, then you save on stratification or let nature do it directly.
Propagation by seed in keywords:
- Win or Buy Seeds
- Place the seeds in the fridge for four to six weeks
- alternatively plant directly outdoors in autumn
- rather reliable germination
What happens to the young plants?
If the propagation worked, the joy is great. So that this is not clouded too quickly, it is important to take care of the young plants properly. These need a sunny location to develop their dense growth and to flower in spring. While older plants require little care, young plants need plenty of watering in the first few weeks. The soil should be chalky and rather dry. The plants grow quite slowly and reach a height of about 20 centimeters in the first year. Since the plants are well adapted to our climate, you do not have to provide any additional protection in winter, even in the first year. Only late frosts can damage the flowers. Take a look at the thermometer and cover the plants with fleece or a jute sack if necessary.