Anyone who wants to propagate their hawthorn has no easy task ahead of them. In principle, there are 4 options that differ significantly in terms of difficulty.
There are several ways to propagate hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata). Not all methods are recommended for the hobby gardener, but we will address the problem anyway, since the hawthorn is becoming more and more popular in private gardens. Hawthorn is found as a shrub, but it is also planted to green streets. If you own a hawthorn and want to multiply it, you have the following options:
- Finishing
- Seeds
- Roots
- Cuttings
The finishing - belongs in professional hands
Hawthorn is usually grafted onto hawthorn. However, the grafting itself is complex, requires some gardening skill and will probably be of less interest to the layman.
The technology itself is ancient. It has been proven that fruit trees were already being grafted by the Phoenicians in pre-Christian times. Grafting is always used when propagation by seeds seems difficult. It is usually grafted behind the bark.
Propagation by seeds - pure luck
Propagation by seeds can be described as a matter of luck in two respects. Hawthorn seed is very difficult to obtain. There is a good reason for this, because hawthorn fruits are extremely rare. The bright red fruits are an ornament in autumn, but actually only occur on the two-pronged hawthorn. If you are lucky enough to have hawthorn seeds, you should dry them over the winter and plant them directly in the ground in summer.
Note: Hawthorn seeds have only a very low germination capacity.
Waiting for the seedlings becomes a game of patience, as it can take several months before the first shoot tips appear.
Propagation by root suckers - easy and common
A simple and promising method of propagation has been found with the root suckers. The hobby gardener does not have to do much here, just wait until theshow first root suckers.
These runners initially run underground, but become visible at the latest when small plants grow out of the ground. The runner is initially left on the mother plant so that it develops accordingly. Only sufficiently large and strong root suckers will develop into he althy, vigorous and flowering plants.
How to proceed when propagating by root suckers?
❶ Leave root suckers on the mother plant for the time being
❷ Separate developed suckers from the mother plant
❸ Replant suckers at the desired location and cultivate
The root suckers should have reached a size of about 15 to 20 centimeters before you separate them from the mother plant, dig them out over a large area and replant them.
Propagation by cuttings - it's worth a try
Propagation by cuttings is not one of the common methods of propagating hawthorn. Nevertheless, hobby gardeners can report successful attempts. Propagation from cuttings is a simple and inexpensive method that every plant lover should try.
What you need to do
❶ cut the cutting
❷ remove the leaves from the lower part of the cutting
❸ place the cutting in a plant pot
❹ keep the cutting evenly moist
❺ after the Planting or transplanting cuttings
Taking cuttings is quite easy. You choose an already slightly woody older shoot. This rooted better than soft, young shoots. The length of the cutting should be about 15 to 20 centimeters. To prevent the leaves from rotting in the ground later, remove them from the lower part of the cutting.
Tip: Also remove all blossoms, they cost the cutting valuable energy that it needs for rooting.
It is important that the cutting has a few leaf nodes. Where previously the leaves grew, the roots will develop later.
Tip:
Propagating cuttings is a simple and promising method of growing several young plants, for example to create a hedge.
Now the cutting is placed in a planter filled with potting soil. The soil should appear damp but not wet, because waterlogging is already a danger for the cutting. In a rather shady location, the cuttings can overwinter frost-free indoors. They root quite well at temperatures around eight degrees. During thisTime to check the plants. If the roots have penetrated the planter, it was probably too small and needs to be replaced. In spring, the plants can then be moved to their desired outdoor location.
Propagating hawthorn - all methods at a glance
| Propagation method | Advantages | Cons |
| Finishing | ▶ Grafting is a promising and very old method. ▶ Hawthorn is mainly grafted onto hawthorn. | ▶ The method can hardly be implemented without horticultural expertise and belongs in experienced hands. |
| Sowing | ▶ Sowing is an uncomplicated method that even laypeople can do well. ▶ The seed can be grown indoors. ▶ This gives the plant a head start in growth. | ▶ The hawthorn produces seeds only extremely rarely. ▶ The fruit formation is actually peculiar to the two-pronged hawthorn. ▶ The seeds are correspondingly difficult to obtain commercially. ▶ The seeds are not only rare, they also have a fairly low germination rate. |
| Roots | ▶ The hobby gardener can let nature take its course and wait until root runners have formed. ▶ The runners have a good growth guarantee. | ▶ A well developed plant is required. ▶ The root suckers must not be separated from the mother plant too early. |
| Cuttings | ▶ Propagating cuttings is a proven method in horticulture. ▶ Several plants can be grown without much effort. | ▶ The cuttings often root poorly. ▶ Patience is required until independent young plants develop. |