How to propagate Butterfly Bush

[@jlnriddick]

Thanks for sharing your video! Great job! I love this plant as well! The only thing I would add is that stem cuttings will often produce new growth before roots are produced, so while that's a good sign for future root production, new growth will often happen without any roots being produced. I agree with you that gently tugging on the stem to see if it has started to anchor itself with roots is a bad idea, as you could tug apart some roots that are just developing, but please know that "new growth" is not a foolproof method of determining that roots are actually growing under the soil. Stored energy in the stem can push new growth without any roots, so the presence of new growth can be deceiving. (I've had stem cuttings with quite a bit of growth with no roots at all, and boy, is that disappointing when you take them out) Your best bet is to be patient and wait out the full six weeks (or more, if you're not pressed for time). It's definitely hard to wait as a gardener, but leaving these cuttings untouched will be worth it. It's possible that not every stem cutting will develop roots even if you do everything right, but by leaving them untouched (except for a spritz of water if necessary) you will definitely increase your odds. Thanks again for the video, and here's to 4 new Butterfly Bush plants!

[@piaaladdin1973]

Good info! What do you do with the covered ones in the winter? It is september here and just planted some cuttings and covered them. I have a small zip up mini green house and I put them in there covered. Hopefully that is ok

[@jlnriddick]

​@@piaaladdin1973 Sounds like the perfect spot to me! I'm not sure exactly when the plants go dormant, but I think I would suggest taking the cover off after about 6 weeks. I say that because you'll want air flow for the plants over the winter. Keeping them covered could cause fungus or root rot. Your little green house should provide the protection they'll need. I think I planted my last stem cuttings around the 9th of September. They're still covered and outside, and I'll likely place them in a low hoop house by mid October. That will be about 6 weeks under a cover, so I'll take the cover off when they go in the hoop house. Be sure to keep them moist throughout the winter months! You don't want them drying out. Sounds like you got this... Good Luck!

[@kathyjenkins4067]

So many good tips!❤ Thank you much!❤

[@georgiavesely8944]

I’ve just been using the store plastic bags that aren’t transparent and I never thought of freezer bags. Great idea!!!

[@piaaladdin1973]

Thanks for the video. Where do you put the plant in the winter while waiting for new growth or roots etc.

[@linneaostrom5524]

Would have been nice to actually see you do all the trimmings.

[@josondyr.2303]

Please confirm that cuttings should only be taken from soft green stems, not woody ones. When I trimmed back my bush about 5 weeks ago, I stuck some woody stem cuttings in water, and no roots have appeared. I'll stick them in the dirt if there's a chance they'll root. Thank you!

[@jhonjoe585]

Every time I cut a piece with a un opened bud when it's still green. Cut it stick it straight in the dirt. In about 5 days that bud starts opening. No hormone powder or anything. Do not clip the bud off.

[@JH70173]

Thank you for this informative video.

[@irishsetter48]

excellent video. Thank you.

[@rebeccazody1278]

Thank you very much. Can we use this technique on other woody-type bushes- like lilac bushes? How late in the season can we do this? We have had a light frost so far; can I do this that late?

[@kellywilliamson5236]

I would just dig up a sucker with the lilacs. You could probably do it with the tender green growth using this technique. But as long as you can dig in the dirt, you could pot a sucker.

[@jamiescountryliving]

I have a funky fuscia butterfly bush. I would love to take cuttings from and add more to my yard.

[@twandamobley5189]

Can you leave your cuttings indoors all winter? When do you have to take the covering off?

[@MrIamnoone]

Thanks for holding your palm behind the cuttings so we can see them. Can you start a cutting now (late August, I happen to be zone 8b)?

[@kellywilliamson5236]

I would definitely say yes. We should have enough time for them to take root and plant them before it gets too cold. I now have a total of 10 bushes from that single plant. I will start more next year too. Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@jamiescountryliving]

I will try this. Wonder if I can do this now it's toward the end of summer

[@jlnriddick]

I'm in the North East (Zone 6), and I started a full tote of cuttings on 9/9/22. I did lots of cuttings over the summer, which is a better time to take cuttings (faster roots), but it's still do-able now. Roots may take a little longer, but the time is going to pass anyway, so what have you got to lose? One suggestion I would make, since the roots you do get will be very new going into the cold weather (in my area anyway) is to keep them protected throughout winter. Either leave them in a covered tub (with air holes) or perhaps a hoop house type arrangement. They'll go dormant, then continue producing more roots in the spring. You can plant them in the garden next spring with a more robust root system. Whatever you do, make sure they stay moist! If the soil they're in dries out during the winter, you'll lose them for sure! That's a huge disappointment, and snow and rain isn't always enough to keep them moist. Good Luck!

[@jamiescountryliving]

@@jlnriddick thank you so much. I've started 2.. and they are doing great at 3 weeks in and I have a make shift greenhouse. Thank you again

[@jlnriddick]

@@jamiescountryliving My pleasure! I have 4 "Prince Charming Buddleia" cuttings in my batch, and I'm crossing my fingers that they'll hang in there to develop roots. I only have 1 established Butterfly Bush in the garden, and I've recently become obsessed with wanting more. Best of Luck... sounds like you're on the right track!

[@jamiescountryliving]

@@jlnriddick yes I only have 1 bush as well and want more 😂