Green Giant Arborvitae Propagation The Easy Way - Part 1 // Rooting Thuja Green Giants

Green Giant arborvitaes are among the most popular screening trees anywhere. They are fast growing and easy to propagate. For the backyard nursery, that's good news! Easy to grow and easy sell - can't go wrong with these trees. A few steps and a few simple supplies make the job easy.
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[@savvydirtfarmer]

Are you growing Green Giants??

[@TrashCashDumpsterDive]

I’ve got my first wholesale order arriving this year (2022)

[@savvydirtfarmer]

@@TrashCashDumpsterDive YESSSS!!! Hope you got a bunch!!

[@TrashCashDumpsterDive]

@@savvydirtfarmer 150 green giant, 250 emerald! I did want more but I don’t have a ton of room and you gotta start somewhere! I went to go reserve more green giant a couple weeks later but they were sold out! I’m looking forward to it!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

That'll be a good haul! Nurseries everywhere are sold out. "There's a shortage" seems to apply to virtually everything.

[@TrashCashDumpsterDive]

@@savvydirtfarmer Schaefer’s nursery still has about 1000 of emerald in stock! That’s where I ordered mine!

[@username-mc7jw]

Excellent video! Thank you for making it. I just wanted to comment that you severely underestimated what these little beauties are worth!!! I just paid $17 each for 12-14" plants! The 2-3' plants are going for $30 a piece, and 3-4' are in the $40 range! Expect to pay $60 an up for anything bigger. If you're selling yours for any less, you're losing money on them. Again - thanks for the video. I need a lot more of these trees, and I will be making my own from now on, thanks to your detailed instructions.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Maybe. In my area, they are a bit more than I sell them for. Maybe $1-3 more. A trade gallon is in the $10 range. Mine are currently $7.97. I don't want to see a few dozen or even a few hundred a year. I want to sell thousands, and I'm getting there. If I sell them for $8 and buy them for $1, or propagate them for $0, I still make plenty. But in my market, at the size I want to sell them, I don't think they are severely underpriced. Maybe slightly. And, since this video was made, my price has gone up. Thanks for watching and for the comment!

[@SeededGarden]

Here in the pacnw, 1 gal arbors go for $18 at big box stores, 3’ tall usually

[@johnjohn40100]

Same here, i paid like $10 each for 10 plants and they were just roots. They were 1ft at most. I ordered online. Such a ripoff. This was like 7 years ago

[@raywalteroutdoors]

I just paid $100 per tree delivered for 10 trees at 7' tall. Best of all, I'll have enough cuttings to do my entire property in about 2 years 😂

[@smedina146]

Wow. I'm In Lakewood, Washington (South of Seattle) and these babies sell for $44 each! For 3footers. Good grief! I'm going to do this for my own yard, because we lost several through some rough winters. Helll, I'll line the whole yard with 'em! 🤣 Thank you so much. What a generous heart you have to share your years of knowledge and experience. BLESSINGS TO YOU from the Evergreen State. 💛🖤💛

[@DJDOUBLE077]

Sand is my first option but can be heavy large scale. I like peat /perlite split 50/50 ish. Great video as always!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Good choice! thanks for watching

[@bethsabath]

16:03 - Can you see his plants died ?? This product is killer plants . I bought this and ALL my plants died. DONT BYE THIS !!!

[@grapplewithreality]

I have learned so much from your videos. Just wanted to say thanks. -John

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Very welcome

[@MichaelWhite-cx4ho]

Thank you for sharing your expertise! I purchased 75 bare root seedlings from The Botany Shop nearly 25 years ago. They have proven to be just as advertised; wind, deer, disease, and insect resistant. I spaced at 8 to 10 feet, and they grew quickly but slowed as they crowded each other, as planned. I have 100% privacy and everyone in my neighborhood wants some. I wish I had propagated a million of these 25 years ago as the big boxes and local nurseries are profitting handsomely. Question: Would rooting hormone increase your percentage of successful propagation, or do you feel it's an unnecessary step/expense. I am looking to propagate around 100 for my new next door neighbor that wants a natural fence around his backyard as I have around mine. Btw, these plants can be "topped" and that causes grow to thicken the width of the trees. Thank you again for your wisdom as "Iron Sharpens Iron!"

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I don't use rooting hormone and get 90+% success. That's good enough for me.

[@MichaelWhite-cx4ho]

@@savvydirtfarmer Agreed! Thank you for the response and advice!

[@kckola4553]

Thank you for saying "it doesn't matter", there are many ways to do this. Really appreciate you, keep up the great work!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Sometimes it does matter; sometimes it doesn't. But, it never always matters. Learn the difference. 😃

[@gigigg9763]

70’s in December ❤

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Unusual, but not unheard of here.

[@frankihauser4126]

Thank you. Valuable information. I have a need for more than I can currently afford. This is a great idea, to make my plan come to fruition. I totally understand that "farming" concept. I could see turning a drab area, green and inviting, while still being private. But I have one question. Why do you cut off the green foilage? Isn't that how the plant metabolizes (photosynthesis) it's "food", through it's foilage? I don't understand that! Can you explain, please?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I can't fully explain it because I'm not completely sure why I do it, but let me sputter around a little bit and at least share my reasoning. At this point, all I'm trying to do is get them to root. This is little more than a clipping of grass at this point. The more green top there is, the more moisture they need to "draw up" to maintain it. I don't think an unrooted cutting is capable of feeding itself, so I don't need any exxcess, and in my mind, it's harder for the cutting to have to maintain tops when they have no roots. So, that could all be wrong, but it's my reasoning anyway. I could EASILY be convinced there's a better way. If you can shed anyt light on this, I'm all ears.. always trying to get better at this. thanks

[@Veritequiparles]

Have to admit I've been concerned about getting stock to grow on, but seeing this and the trees in the overgrown garden, I can get cuttings before I fell them. :)

[@juliknapp9270]

I have 200 aborvitae coming in march! Cant wait.. im gonna cut some of mine and make some cuttings ... after our big snow storm coming tonite

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Great! They're awesome plants and people love them.

[@njhome540]

Can you share the place you ordered from and the price if possible Thank you Happy new year

[@juliknapp9270]

@@njhome540 sure! Shaeffer liners.. different sizes r different prices. But they were 95 cents to 1.25.. very nice folks

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I've got a lot of plants from Schaeffer. They are good to work with.

[@IneffableFoxy]

Y'all are gonna flood the market and make them worthless

[@denisekrupa8635]

I come back to this video every time I question what I'm doing with my Green Giants. I have two dish pans full of them and they are sitting on the floor in a sun room but against the wall, so they are not in direct sunlight. Should I be misting them daily? The soil does not seem to dry out completely. Thanks so much for all your input and I look forward to you selling bare root Green Giants!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I don't know about sitting them inside. I want mine outside in the shade, in the weather and let them naturally "wake up" with the Spring season. If they start getting dry, I just soak them with the hose or watering can and forget them. This is for hardwood (winter) cuttings. Totally different in the summer with green wood (soft wood).

[@denisekrupa8635]

@@savvydirtfarmer Thank you so much! They are now outside in the shade!

[@jkkelley7582]

Thank you for this video! It helps me to get started doing sand rooting system! I have a grand idea to try, will report about it when I can do it after this snow!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Good luck!

[@dustyathome9824]

Thank you!

[@richardwalsh5161]

That size in my area are going for $25-35 at the high end nursery's.

[@ambergessler1679]

My neighbor just cut down an arborvitae. Recruiting my kids to help. Thanks for the video!

[@rjequine2758]

Hello and good afternoon! Thank you for the great tutorials and videos…they’re great! I planted some Baby Thujas in my yard for privacy and decided to propagate some. Woo hoo! I recently came across a 10’ Baby Thuja that was knocked over at the root ball by a strong wind storm that came through a few days ago. I’m hoping to cut some of the limbs for propagation purposes. However, this happened in mid September, in Virginia (zone 6A). What should I do differently until the first freeze comes? Should I mist daily like you do in your other video for cutting and propagating outside the dormancy period? Thanks for your videos and help! You’re a treasure😊 Rachel

[@randyman8984]

Ive had pretty good luck with most plants except the green giants, I do cover mine to make a humidty dome so that might be my problem. I am gonna leave them in the open and uncovered like you did. I also use a powdered rooting hormone too. I noticed you didnt use any, correct? Ive also been getting my cuttings off my mother plant thats right at 14-15 yrs old(over 20 ft tall). Have you ever tried one that old? The material looks just like yours in your video. One other thing, one of my big ones had a lower limb that attached to the soil and rooted that way. I cut it off and I transplanted it to another area this past spirng and its taking off pretty good now. Since this was succesfull for me I may try covering some lower limbs with soil.Of course this wouldnt be a good idea if I wanted 100 for nursery selling, I need about 10.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I don't use rooting hormone at all. I've tried it before and couldn't tell one bit of difference. Also, I have *heard* that arbs root best from young trees. I do not know if that is true. Seems like as long as it was new growth it wouldn't matter. The rooting limb? That's a process called layering. Lots of plants are rooted this way, but to my knowledge, not on any large scale, as you mentioned. But, it works well with many plants.

[@Shade59]

Hi. Great video.. Tell mew how often do you water em after sticking in pot and I live in Latvia our winters get really cold.. as I read in google best time to take cuttings is late summer early autumn.. will cuttings will survive -30 Celsius? If I do my cuttings now?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Can't speak to -30, I water as needed. I do them in winter, before they break dormancy in early Spring. Usually, that's around February for me. Doesn't have to be any exact timing. I do not do them in fall at all... I wait til winter.

[@yay4meluigi]

Thank you. This video answered a lot of questions I had after watching other videos

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Great!

[@kennetheugene6402]

Y’all better be listening, this man is giving us the sauce…free game subscribe !!! 🎉

[@bethsabath]

16:03 - Can you see his plants died ?? This product is killer plants . I bought this and ALL my plants died. DONT BYE THIS !!!

[@glendagraves1637]

Play sand - means it's clean and fine.

[@feliciad.hutchins4507]

Thank you❤❤❤

[@puhleeezer]

I’m just finding your channel! Is it too late to do this in the spring? Or will I need to wait until winter?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Depends on your climate. Still cold? Do it today. Everything turning green like us? Wait.

[@wayneywendyhornsby7935]

Just found you today. I’m becoming an addict. Question please. How do you over winter your cuttings?

[@wayneywendyhornsby7935]

Sorry. Thanks for the encouragement. Very grateful

[@savvydirtfarmer]

They just stay outside in their trays, in the weather, uncovered. They do fine. SNow, rain, freezing, warm... whatever.

[@waynehornsby3796]

@@savvydirtfarmer I’ve always grown garden bedding plants. Watching your videos has given me the confidence to step out to other possibilities. Thanks for everything

[@horrienixon6440]

please do a follow up video in these cuttings

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Will do!

[@stevenfrey8034]

I wonder if using the rooting hormone would increase the survival rate?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Maybe. I've used it before and didn't see any difference at all. Maybe I didn't do it right? But, it seemed simple enough. For a tiny nursery like mine, it's just something else to spend money on that doesn't seem to help much/any.

[@stevenfrey8034]

I have an Arborvite that I want to do soon like you did with yours, but it might have a patent, so I need to research it more before I do anything.

[@SeededGarden]

At 4:50 you trimmed the first cutting down quite a bit. If you hadn’t have pruned it that much, would it have had difficulty rooting?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

No, sedum root almost no matter how you do it. Pretty much foolproof. That's just how I do most of my cuttings for any kind of plant.

[@JohnMitchell-kb6vt]

That's a 25 dollar tree where I'm from in Georgia

[@hosta127]

I notice the time that you made this video that it was around January? Is there a better time to take cuttings since these are evergreen? If I find a source of cuttings now, is it ok to take them, or better to wait till after a good freeze?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I do them, like these, in winter. Or, I will put them under mist around June 1, taking those cuttings from fresh growth.

[@visitourgarden]

Where do you buy your containers? I can’t find them anywhere for a reasonable price

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Mostly I buy them from a local nursery supply place.

[@hosta127]

I am taking cuttings from the lower branches of mature arbor vitae trees. Some of the side branches coming off the branches I’m cutting are brown, then tan, the green at the very end. Do I use just the tan part? Some of them are ending up quite a bit longer than the ones in this video. Also, is it all right to cut off the terminal end just to keep them from being to long? I will be putting these under mist, then starting some more in December just as you do in this video. Thank you.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Hard to answer here. Try a variety of different cuttings - as many as you can, and see what works best. Newest (current season) is going to work best.

[@hosta127]

@@savvydirtfarmer thank you.

[@deanacanfield200]

How do you prepare this soil bed? I'm in Tulsa, Oklahoma and the soil is clay....and when I say clay, I mean really...its clay. I've tried amending the soil for like a pepper bed or onions but its a lot of work and really expensive.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

LOTS of compost, bark mulch (not wood mulch), etc. Any kind of organic matter will build your soil quality- manure, grass clippings, old potting soil … whatever. Lots of it worked into the ground and give it plenty of time

[@jameshallford8656]

Do you water them during the winter?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

No. Virtually no water is used/lost in winter unless we go for a month with no rain.

[@zoshomestead]

Great video 👍🏽 Thanks for sharing

[@minerva-1903]

Hey I just wonder the sands you used in this video. I need informations about them. What are their name and what includes in them. I can’t read in the video so could you please share with me the sands you use in video?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

It's just sand. Nothing special. The more course, the better. Small rock pieces, etc improves drainage. I add pine bark to mine to make it lighter weight, but that's not necessary.

[@tcap7917]

Is it possible to root larger cuttings? How big of a cutting? Wondering if I could root 2-3' toppings as long as I can get a tag at the bottom like on the smaller ones?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

You could try. The tag at the end is not absolutely necessary, there are several ways to do the cuttings. I've never tried with larger ones. I'd rather have 5 smaller cuttings than 1 larger one.

[@Hugh_Manitee]

That's what I have. I was cutting 3 16' tall giants. The tops were like perfect 2 foot trees. I put 2 in a 5 gallon bucket with water and some soil. Hoping for the best to get roots established.

[@dvo1060]

@@Hugh_Maniteedo you have an update? Wondering if it worked, wanting to do the same with bigger branches

[@RyoNordbeck]

I keep trying to propagate plants but they always die out. How often am I supposed to water them in sand?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

This time of year? Frequently. As in, several times an hour. In winter? Rarely. Propagating in warm vs cold weather are two very different processes.

[@RyoNordbeck]

@@savvydirtfarmer thank you, i'm in zone 6 and gonna try propagating hardwoods this fall/winter. or do you think I could still try some during the heat of the summer?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

@@RyoNordbeck It's getting to the time of season where if you're going to try them this summer you need to do it now.

[@RyoNordbeck]

@@savvydirtfarmer ok i'll give it another go before this fall. I'll eventually get it right if I do it enough. 😂

[@savvydirtfarmer]

@@RyoNordbeck If they don't have roots by fall, just leave them be. As long as they are still green, they'll winter fine... just don't forget about them completely and let them dry out. Come Spring, they'll take off right where they are.

[@redwood1957]

I have not seen you wound the stem or use a rooting aids

[@savvydirtfarmer]

No need to do either.

[@TheInfinityLion]

So is this pine bark nuggets or mulch

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Not nuggets - too big. Here, the product is sold as "soil conditioner," also known as "pine fines." Anything that's light and aids drainage will work. Sand alone works too.

[@AZHighlandHomestead]

Any good source for buying just a few Green Giants?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Good question.... sure don't know.

[@Beverlyshillbillyhomestead]

Is it best to propagate in the fall/winter months or does it matter?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

They do well under mist in summer. Otherwise, they can be done as hardwood cuttings taken any time in winter, kept moist, and left to root as the weather starts warming up.

[@Beverlyshillbillyhomestead]

@@savvydirtfarmer thanks so much! I’m getting some sacrificial plants so I can propagate some. Everywhere I’ve seen is very expensive for bare root cuttings. Arbor foundation was most reasonable but limited species.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

@@Beverlyshillbillyhomestead Great! I'll be doing a new green giant propagation very soon... just got the mist up and running today.

[@Beverlyshillbillyhomestead]

@@savvydirtfarmer I really like the arborvitae species. We are just getting started started with a few evergreens before we branch out into other trees shrubs. I picked up a Hetz midget aborvitae scrub that’s beautiful so we are starting with that, the green giant, and then there was another one that had some reds and gold color but can’t remember the name but anyway we figured we could start getting inventory and some basic infrastructure going while we’re starting our cuttings to root. We enjoy watching y’all’s videos and we are learning a lot. Thanks for the help. 👍🏻

[@clmtdmmjcmm4489]

Best time of year to take cuttings?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Winter for dormant/hardwood cuttings; late Spring through mid summer for softwood cuttings

[@lilyrosedaisyvioletsweetpe1207]

💚

[@ExtremeRecluse]

Rooting hormone?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I don't use it.

[@timh9578]

How much land do you have?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Now? 6 acres.

[@patriciacasad7894]

Do you ship?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

No

[@smedina146]

EXCELLENT INFORMATION! You have a really clear concise way of presenting. I really appreciate your time and expertise. Blessings from the Great Pacific Northwest, Lakewood, Washington 💛🖤💛

[@WeatherNut27]

Great video and conversations! I use root powder on my cuttings but good tip about the soil and the shade

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Thanks!!

[@MichaelWhite-cx4ho]

Does the root powder help? I just purchased some. Going to try to propagate in Zone 5-6 along Lake Ontario. Cold, snowy winters here!

[@brentmichael4770]

Savy D farmer, can you make us some videos doing Azalea, lilac and peonies from cuttings? Your the best in the business. Keep up the great work.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I wish I had ANY of those to propagate from... peonies, I think, are done via division, not cuttings. Thanks for the good words.

[@patricksplantspaketho3760]

.Great video ! 🌿😊🌿 Plants are the best, specially the people behind them 🌿🤩🌿 You got a new sub from Denmark .☀️🌿😊🇩🇰

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Thanks for watching!!

[@frankrizzo7307]

I had a mishap that I would like your opinion on. I've finally made cuttings. I've picked up a 5 gallon pail of beach sand. I mixed the whole pail of sand with left over potting mix. Probably like a 70/30 sand/potting mix. To my surprise it just made mud and didn't drain well at all. The potting mix drained better before lol 😆. I thought for sure that much sand would make it drain super fast because I used a l lot of it. So since I cant get to the beach again to get more sand and start over, I've decided to just stick the cuttings in some flower pots that contain only leftover potting mix which actually drains pretty good by itself. Is this ok to propogate in just potting mix? I left the pots with cuttings under a table on my deck out of the sun. The deck is about 2½ft off the ground. I'm hoping this works. What do you think? Im in zone (7a)Thank you.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I think it’ll work. Drainage AND moisture are key. You don’t want a desert. You don’t want a swamp.

[@frankrizzo7307]

@@savvydirtfarmer Thank you sir.

[@terrynicozisis1299]

Doesn’t the beach sand have salt residue in it?

[@frankrizzo7307]

@@terrynicozisis1299 Well I rinsed the sand so I don't believe salt residue will stay. I'd like to try the sand again next year, but I probably added too much dirt.

[@pondacres]

Thx much, this was very helpful! A beaver took down one of my 12 footers, so here's me going for turning lemons into lemonade. I followed your method of trimming them down and planted something like 50 of them in a basin like yours just now, so we'll see what happens. My question is what to do now with it now for winter? I notice you leave yours out, but I don't know where you're at. I'm up near Chicago, so zone 5 or 6. Should I put them in my basement, enclosed 3 season room, or just outside under my porch? Do they need light at all? Also, should I water them regularly or just when the soil is very dry?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I would just leave them out. Willows are very tough... snow, rain, freezing, whatever... they should be fine.

[@timgoodin42053]

Here is West KY, I used to find soil conditioner pine bark at the big box stores but seems they don't carry it anymore. Do you get yours from a nursery supply or some other source?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Get nearly all mine at Lowe's.

[@charissas1091]

Thanks for the video! If I don’t have a shade house, where would you suggest I stash the cuttings? How much light do they need?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Under a deck, under a tree, in the shadow of the north side of your house, drape a sheet or something above them... as they root, very little light, more after they start developing roots, but slowly expose them to more light at that point..

[@bmaxingout]

I grow mine similar to what you are doing. but when i cut them from the ground i leave two bottom branches, i let those grow and it always leaves me with a good fast growing cuttings source

[@savvydirtfarmer]

yep! Always keep the cuttings coming

[@dogcreekproject6872]

Love your channel! I am going to remove a LARGE green giant from someone’s yard for them. How long would I have to propagate that plant once it’s pulled out of the ground? I am located in the Central Valley of California (super hot here, zone 9), it is the beginning of June. Would I have to use misters to keep these alive? Is this going to be a bad idea trying this, this time of year?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Early to mid summer is a great time to take green giant cuttings and propagate them via intermittent mist. I have videos on that. If you don't have mist, stick the cuttings in moist potting soil, covered with some type of plastic, or enclosed in a plastic tub (white lid) to maintain high humidity and put them in 100% shade. I would get the cuttings off the tree before removing the tree. In this heat, you don;t have a lot of time for the cuttings to be without water.

[@dogcreekproject6872]

I am amazed and thankful for your response! You truly deserve a million subscribers! I wish you guys did some kind of advice line. I would pay to ask you a couple questions! I am watching your videos, but I do have a couple, probably “dumb” questions to ask. The Arbovitae cuttings will be my first dive into a backyard nursery.

[@frankrizzo7307]

I'm curious: Why do the cutting have to be in shade rather than sunlight? And when can you bring them to the sunlight?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

In my area, if they are in direct sun, they will burn up by noon the first day... no roots to draw water.

[@DD-lr6ne]

Shade because you want them to focus on growing roots.

[@HarshaVardhan-ox2tr]

Can the same be done with bigger branches so that we see a bigger plant when it roots?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Probably. The rooting process will be slower. I wouldn't try it with wood that's older than 1 year. You're just not going to be successful with a 3ft tall branch that's got several years growth on it.

[@frednobles2485]

Are you being paid to advertise these trees or are you doing from good-heart

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Just making videos of the plants I use.

[@ryanfrankum3493]

In what happens if them cutting turn brown before they root

[@savvydirtfarmer]

If brown, they're dead.

[@dvo1060]

Will it not root if I do this in the beginning of summer?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Yes, it will root in summer as well

[@gregboshell977]

Who did you learn your propagation from

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Internet searches. Trial and error.

[@davidhinds191]

Thank you for information I'll try as soon as it gets cold enough

[@jzevahc5600]

Can you do this in April.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

If you're in a cold climate where things are still dormant in April, yes. Otherwise, wait til they put on new growth in July or so, and root them as softwood (green wood) cuttings then.

[@magnoliatreeservicesllc5663]

its ok if my cutting are bigger?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Absolutely! They will make really nice, big liners quickly. Just make sure the entire cutting is from this year’s growth.

[@magnoliatreeservicesllc5663]

Thanks, I'll try and let you know.

[@garyhalverson5607]

What state are you in?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

NW Alabama

[@aquietmind223]

Excellent video, thank u.

[@martinwhitehurst9893]

Hey,its me again, so can I take cuttings in summer of a green giant or similar tree. ?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

yes. I'm propagating Green Giants now.

[@birdoriginals5655]

hello...new listener...I thought you had to have a joint / node to root from....but you just cut and stick in...wow....I learned something... back 40 years ago...we rooted hanging baskets...and we made sure we had 1 joint / node in ground...thanks

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Most plants need a node above and a node below. Green Giants can be propagated as shown in this video... they're just different as an evergreen. Also, I propagate hydrangeas with no node below. Always exceptions.

[@michaelsicowitz362]

I bought 6, 2yrs ago. They were $15 each and about 25in tall. Now those 2 footers are 7 feet after just 2 years. They are amazing. They also cost more than 2 yrs ago. I'm trying your method, as my grandfather did but never taught me. Thanks in advance for teaching me something new.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

You can do it... very rewarding too

[@travelingcircus338]

I have a 5' arborvitae branch growing sideways. Can I just cut it flush and plant it or no? Any chance of this working? If not, any suggestions?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Doubtful, especially in the heat. Cut it off in February, before things warm up, and try it then. You never know

[@MamaGardener2024]

When can you start propagating Green Giants? Can you take cuttings when they're seedlings? Or do they need to be a certain height?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Take cuttings now. Or after they grow out into late Spring/early summer. Plant size doesn't matter, though super old, mature ones may not do as well as younger ones. Just try.

[@MeMyselfAndUs903]

You are a Green Giant life saver! Thank you x 1 billion. Can this propogation be used for cedar trees also?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Not sure - lots of cedar varieties. But can guarantee it won’t hurt a thing to try.

[@SirPercivals]

Do I need shade cloth or can I leave them in the shady north facing part of my house? and is shade cloth to prevent them from drying out?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Shade cloth is mainly to help protect from the heat of summer sun. Also will drastically decrease your summer watering needs. When propagating, shade and water are required or the cuttings will burn up due to having no roots to pull up their own water

[@bhadz100]

When is the ideal time to do this? Can I start in Fall or that will just rot the cuttings? Should I also put them in a container to keep it moist?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I do them in winter. This last year I have learned that keeping them in a covered, humid environment through Spring produced some pretty amazing results!

[@marcmellow5573]

13:11 thanks for reminding me that I need to stop overthinking everything and just do it!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

YES!!! I struggle with it too on new things

[@frankrizzo7307]

Does the container have to be a certain size? What about color? Is transparent containers ok?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Doesn't matter size or color... main thing is to make sure it drains well.

[@WickedKay-p9e]

How do you keep fungus gnats out if the pan is not covered? Do you spray with fungacide or does the sand help keep them down?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Don't really know... they haven't been a problem

[@WickedKay-p9e]

@@savvydirtfarmer Thank you for responding. I have Carolina Cypress. I would think it should be pretty much the same? Thank you for the awesome videos too!!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

@@WickedKay-p9e Should be very similar

[@WickedKay-p9e]

@@savvydirtfarmer Is it okay to take the cuttings this time of year (August) or do you take them later in the year and let them winter over. Would they root this time of year and will they still root if I don't have a misting system and just keep them in the shade and check on them every few days to ensure the soil is moist/wet.. (excited to get started...)

[@savvydirtfarmer]

@@WickedKay-p9e at this point, I would wait and do them over winter as hardwood cuttings. We’re running out of time in the growing season.

[@ryanfrankum3493]

How long it takes for them to root in does this really work if it does when i needs to get my trees cutting

[@savvydirtfarmer]

A few months

[@BassPotter46]

Truth!

[@bradwhite9065]

What kind of fabric is covering your shade house?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Shade cloth. See the link in the video subscription.

[@ExtremeRecluse]

$25

[@josephmcgee8450]

Want to sell the stumps off where you made cutting?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I keep them and take more cuttings the next year.

[@richardwalsh5161]

Can plum yew be rooted in the same manner? Thanks

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Good question! Never tried.

[@markymark9197]

Most common sense video I’ve ever watched

[@savvydirtfarmer]

That's how we do it!

[@Eldorion1]

Thank you so much for the video. I am in west central Illinois so the winters are very cold and I don't have a greenhouse. Would I need to start these inside mid-winter? If so do you put them in a sunny window? Most videos I'm seeing are showing in warm areas or in greenhouses and no one gives information if your in the cold areas. If you or anyone else knows it would be greatly appreciated.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Late winter or early Spring, stick your cuttings. Put them in the shade, keep them watered. They should do well for you.

[@Eldorion1]

@@savvydirtfarmer thank you for your reply. So I can just stick the cutting outside in the shade in a dishpan when we are still having freezing temps? Sorry, just want to make sure I understand before I do it. We bought a cheap green giant at a local big box store so I don't want to mess it up.

[@glennr9913]

I'd have used some Dip-N-Grow

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I've tried it. Doesn't seem to make any difference.

[@saraharcher9774]

Thanks for the video!!!! Question which wholesale buyer did you start with your green giants?! I'm nervous to trust someone online

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Schaefer nursery is good. I think I started my first Green Giants with plants off the clearance rack from Lowes, if I recall correctly. Not sure though. I’ve done that with a lot of plants.

[@saraharcher9774]

@@savvydirtfarmer thank you so much!!! I seriously LOVE your channel new subscriber here! Already told my mother in law and gardening friends about your channel! Thank you for helping us out!!!

[@LifeIsGood143]

Here in the north east when is best season to do cuttings

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I do them in winter and summer

[@hamm229]

Not including winter dormancy period, how long until you see roots? Thank you.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Starting to see roots now

[@hamm229]

So is that about 90 days or so? Your videos are very helpful thank you

[@frankrizzo7307]

It's ok to let the container of cuttings get rock solid frozen through the winter? I'm on Zona 7a.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Mine do every year

[@frankrizzo7307]

@@savvydirtfarmer Wow, this seems a lot easier than what I did. I did a few cuttings last year, but I did not do it right. I clipped some cuttings and then put them in potting soil indoors through the winter, under a grow light. They did root, but no top growth. I moved them outside in the spring in full sun in April. Still not much top growth, but they are still alive. So, the other day, I transplanted into new potting mix(vigora all purpose potting mix). While transplanting, the roots looked very weak like the very few that you showed. Maybe the new potting soil I used will help? I'm not sure why such slow growth. What do you think?

[@RCCRAYZ]

I use Walmart 12 qt totes. Drill holes in the bottom and use course Sand. Very successful if put in shade.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Well done. Works great!

[@ashleyshrader6679]

Can these be used as Christmas Trees

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I guess... but they'd be pretty thin for Christmas trees unless they were pruned for it as they grew.

[@lisahatch5151]

Loved video

[@anonymousnowhere]

Will propagation be possible in potting mix ? Thanks 🙏🏼

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Absolutely.

[@anonymousnowhere]

@@savvydirtfarmer thank you. Hubby just did it last weekend ( 16th April) We are hoping it wasn’t the wrong timing.

[@11spitdms]

I live in west central Ohio. Will these survive a winter with snow outside like you did it?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Yes. These are very hardy evergreens

[@11spitdms]

@@savvydirtfarmer thank you for the fast reply. If I start this week, mid to late October do you think they will still be okay? The trees just started dropping their seeds this week and will probably be finished dropping seeds this next week.

[@johnliberty3647]

This plant was 95% of the plants I produced in my NC nursery. Great hedge plant because people buy them by the dozens. It’s the big money maker because they move so fast. Thuja green giants are my favorite to sell. I prefer Nellie stevens holly or Chinese holly for my own hedges but thujas sell so much faster.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I called the nursery looking for more green giants today. They had a backlog of 38,000 plants already sold before they’ve even propagated them.

[@johnliberty3647]

Someone can make a living just propagating that one plant. It’s what I did.. I also propagated Hollies because I love them and they were my choice for hedging.

[@michaelvincent9060]

Do you use root starter? 😊

[@savvydirtfarmer]

No; I have tried it and can't see any difference

[@joshirving4901]

No rooting hormone??

[@savvydirtfarmer]

No

[@aaronspain3387]

Was there a part2?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Green Giant Propagation - Part 2 // Rooting Thuja Green Giants kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIvJlIKfeM2ohKc