Green Giant Propagation - Part 2 // Rooting Thuja Green Giants

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Enjoy the Green Giant video yall! Thanks for watching.

[@kathywisneski5155]

After rooting, do you put them in the ground in shade or sun. Thanks! I love your channel!

[@allnaturalhomesteaders]

When plants are root bound. You don't have to throw them away or whatever. Instead just soak the roots in water for a few hours, every once in a while swoosh them around in the water to loosen up the roots, keep doing this over a 12-24 hr period depending on how root bound it is, and you should be able to gently pull them apart once the root is looser. Hope this helps! I've been gardening for 20+ years, this is how I've always done my root bound plants. Good luck hun.

[@andielliott7721]

It's "pleasant" to listen to you...bought a Green Giant today.

[@kckola4553]

I'm in Wisconsin! I have 15 "mommas" in my yard, and can't wait to use your technique!

[@anitahouse3600]

Really appreciate you showing the progression, on how to do all of the propagation. Learning a lot!!!!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Great! I'm learning too.

[@teresaholland4790]

Your a natural teacher 👍😎

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I appreciate that!

[@lyndseymoye12]

So glad I found you!!! Ready to absorb all your knowledge!!

[@paulstewart323]

I really enjoy your green giant propagation videos. Thanks for posting.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Thanks for watching!

[@LadysFarm]

Great info ❤

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Wakeywhodat]

I see you are on a new property, congrats and good luck!

[@glyndwrgardens3318]

I’m about to take cuttings from my green giants so this is very helpful

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Good luck!

[@josieraimondi6763]

I use kitty liter pans from Menard's. They're pretty sturdy and cost about $3.50.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Good idea! You can use just about any container with holes in it.

[@hayleetunks948]

Brilliant idea!

[@LisaMaxwell-f9e]

Love your knowledge, i am trying to start a business, and im excited, and learning so much from you. Thankyou

[@judyingram-kh1vm]

Great video, i need to go back to look at the first portion of this video.Just now found your channel❤

[@starbase606]

Thank you for your generous teaching. I'm inspired to try that.

[@falisharamnath1347]

They have rooted so well and looks soo healthy

[@savvydirtfarmer]

They did great!! Very happy with them

[@uniteamerica9446]

Thanks for the videos. I usually save those pans when they break like that and stack 2 of them together to support each other. I make sure to put new holes through both of them once I stack them to make sure the drainage holes line up. I'm on my way to my friend's house to get a bunch of Green Giants now. Good job on your channel, it has inspired me to work on plants that people will buy more than 1 of like screening plants and ground covers.

[@nunyabusiness863]

Thanks for posting this. Very helpful.

[@dn744]

Thanks for the tips 😀

[@savvydirtfarmer]

No problem!

[@pedropereira8924]

Thanks a lot, this is very nice for learning about propagation 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@Plantventions]

Very nice plant!

[@gigimil19]

Great information!

[@herelieskittythomas3726]

Thank you so much!

[@explaincauseidontgetit3294]

I’m getting ready to tear up a perfectly beautiful green giant I bought! You need a taller table to save your back! Thanks for sharing!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

DO IT!!!!! Yeah, I do need a taller table - you ain't wrong about that.

[@dreamasue]

Thanks for all the info!

[@blendi3825]

Nice video, thanks for sharing.

[@brownthumbnursery]

Great comparison of the sizes. I was wondering how big mine would get and how fast it would take them. I got 3 different sets that I’ve done from cuttings.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

This is just my experience. You mileage may vary. But, I can assure you I'm not doing anything extraordinary.

[@pkile5132]

I love your channel. I'm wondering if you've ever used rooting hormone powder, and if so, how well did it work?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I've tried. Didn't seem to make any difference at all. People smarter than me use it though, and swear by it. So... ???

[@ripleymccauley3071]

I really appreciate your videos. Where do you get your green giant cuttings?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

From my green giant trees.

[@charliemagoo7943]

I was hoping to see how you dug that up without damaging the roots

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I'm digging some in next video... root damage is minimal, but it doesn't matter much this time of year while they are dormant. As long as you don't massacre them, they're fine.

[@justinwade3853]

Those look nice. Good job

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Thanks 👍

[@markb8954]

Great info. Thanks for all the tips.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

You bet!

[@jjeff8574]

Thanks for the information.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Sure!

[@peternyc]

Can you do this and leave them to root outside over winter? I live in NY, zone 7a. It gets to about 5 to 10 degrees F at the coldest. If I did it in my garage over winter, I'm afraid they wouldn't get enough sunlight.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I do these in late winter... any time in winter, really.

[@VanDykeGray]

Hi, Do you sell rooted cuttings to a desperate soul like me? Alternatively, where is the least expensive vendor that you are aware for these? I will be eventually planting these in Zone 7 in Troutman, North Carolina. I could use at least 50 (or more if possible). Thanks very much for your assistance and for any info you could provide. Respectfully, Van Gray

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Rooted cuttings are really a winter/cold season seller. Too much risk in shipping them and handling once they break dormancy. I don’t have any idea where to find any now. One of my nurseries told me this week, I was looking for more, that their next crop of 38,000 giants are already sold and they haven’t even finished rooting yet.

[@ricardorodriguez8471]

Hello would you happen to know a good whole sale arborvitae supplier. I have tried 3-4 with no luck. I appreciate your response! I have learned so much from your videos. You are great at explaining and simplifying.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Everyone is sold out.

[@ricardorodriguez8471]

Thank you for all your response and i apologize for the thousand questions. Watching your videos inspired me to start growing arborvitae and my cuttings are developing well thusfar! My question is you mentioned adding slow release fertalizer. If you dont mind me asking what is it that you use, how soon do you use it so you dont harm the roots, and how many times do you fertalize during the cutting rooting phase. Thank you for your time and great viseos!!

[@mommaoinnh2674]

At 11:41 you say it’s ready for a tray gallon pot. What do you mean? What size pot? Love the videos. Going to ask my local cemetery for cuttings.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

It's "trade gallon." That's a pot that's about 2/3 gallon in size.

[@TedLayton-z6c]

If you were to take cuttings in the summer, what’s the best month? Under shade and using a misting irrigation system, what would be the best cycle to mist? Example- mist for 10 seconds once every 10 minutes, 8am-6pm. Suggestions? I live in Delaware.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

They need to have about 2 months of fresh growth... not too soft, not hardening off a lot either. Your mist timing should be pretty good. If they are in the shade you could probably stop it a little earlier. Just try it and see. Main thing is they need to be dry before sunset.

[@TedLayton-z6c]

Thank you!

[@steves1266]

I want about 2k of these trees for a windbreak. I think I'll buy 20, let them grow for a season, and propagate all that I need. Thanks!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Do it!

[@hosta127]

I don’t have any mamas yet. I just received 20 Thujas but they were $20 each. Can you suggest a source that would be a little less expensive? I don’t mind starting with a lot of little ones and growing them out but the best price I’ve been able to find is $15 each (min. order 10) in a recent search. I would like to hear from you before spending another $150 that way. Thank you.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I would look around your local nurseries and box stores and see if they have any trade gallon sizes green giants in the $10 range

[@hosta127]

@@savvydirtfarmer Thank you. I was able to find some online for $5-6 each after shipping and tax - $150 for 30. I hope they are in as good condition as the ones I bought from Thuja Gardens. They were in great shape and beautiful!

[@BUS657]

awesome video! does this work well with Red Cedar? Would rooting hormone help in any way?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

haven't tried with red cedar, but process should be the same. Rooting hormone? These root near 100% without it, so I'm not sure why I would need to use it.

[@Gerelynmgarcia]

Do these grow faster when they’re in the ground vs potted

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Yes, they seem to

[@Wakeywhodat]

I love these Green Giants. It was always Leland Cypress but many people say these are even better. Question. In the first video you snipped the bush off. Would that sprout back and be ready to be a donor tree again in 1 or 2 seasons? I thought since that tree had an established root system it would regrow faster than planting a new tree in its place.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Exactly - it becomes a source for perpetual cuttings.

[@Wakeywhodat]

@@savvydirtfarmer thanks!

[@mitchellhawks1397]

Thanks for the videos. I love your Channel!! I am getting ready to try this now. Can I just place the trays under my deck in the shade and the dry until next February? I Plan to water once per week. I am wanting to do several trays but unsure of where to leave them for the year. I didn't know if once they root if they need some sun or if they would be fine in shade for a year. Thanks

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Out in the weather is fine for now. When it starts warming good they’ll need shade and water. Not soaked every day but kept moist. Then in a few weeks they’ll start rooting. Then start getting them a little sun, then a little more. Just transition them slowly

[@DavidSmith-vz9uu]

How often do you water the newly rooted cuttings once you potted them up in the 1 gallon trade pots and 3" pots? I'm currently about to pot my rooted green giant arborvitae cuttings that I started April of 2023, it's currently June with a heat wave and I'm just wanting to make sure I don't over water or under water.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I run overhead irrigation one x a day. If your soil drains well, it's hard to overwater them.

[@DavidSmith-vz9uu]

@@savvydirtfarmer I'm watering mine with a watering wand and occasional liquid fertilizer, and I don't have a greenhouse or shade fabric or anything fancy, should I water mine every day?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

@@DavidSmith-vz9uu I would... but just look at your soil. If it's dry water it. If not, leave it be.

[@DavidSmith-vz9uu]

@@savvydirtfarmer Okay thanks.

[@soulreed]

Nice!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Thanks!

[@rockit2664]

love them I want some try to propagate in water still waiting for the roots to develop does that work on these

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Never tried., Let me know if it works!

[@rockit2664]

@@savvydirtfarmer will do

[@tituaaaa]

@@rockit2664 any update?

[@rockit2664]

@SimpleLife 🥺 didn't work but I'm going to keep trying my friend did it at same time hers rooted

[@tothepoint4334]

Appreciate you videos, I have a few large green giants in my yard. Can I start a bin of these cutting any time of the year? May or June in Pennsylvania for example or do I have to wait?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

In winter when dormant, or in June (or so) once you've got some new, green growth to work with - that's where you get your cuttings in the growing season.

[@FrankL-mh2sw]

Just did this into play sand. I am located in the Northeast. Can I just place them outside at this point and hope for rooting.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Yes. Don't let them dry out, give them plenty of shade, and be patient.

[@LisaMaxwell-f9e]

I have a border of these beauties, but had one change color, (brownish) so we cut off those branches, know we have another one, but its the whole tree! Any suggestions?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Not really. Any visible insect problems?

[@blakewebb6761]

What are your winter watering and summer misting frequencies for your cuttings?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I don't water in winter at all unless we get really warm and dry for weeks. Low sun angle + dormant plants = very little water consumption. Mist frequency? Depends on how I have it set up. 5-10 seconds every 10 minutes is a good place to start.

[@philbrownred6500]

Can you propagate Thuga's in spring and summer also?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Yes, and that is primarily when I do it - late Spring through the summer. They'll need shade and humidity or mist to keep them from cooking but it's very doable.

[@eldun1819]

I have bought several baby green giants in the past, maybe about 12-16 inches tall, with roots. Some didn’t do so well and are stuck at about 2 ft tall after 3 years. Others are over 5 ft tall. What could cause that? I wonder if I planted them wrong - I read pine trees have to have the roots straight down, maybe on some the root didn’t point straight but I don’t know. Or could it be the soil? But they are in a row next to each other. I am not a tree farmer, just want privacy from the neighbor.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

More than likely it's soil. Green giants root shallow (relatively) and wide.

[@lifeisgood070]

How are you finding people to sell them to? Consistently?

[@lifeisgood070]

Also, have you ever propagated them in just a jar of water? And what type of fertilizer slow release?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I just post them on FB marketplace and local buy/sell groups and people come buy them.. lots of them!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Never tried, but doesn't seem like a good way to do hundreds, or thousands, of them.

[@rickasisco]

I assume spring would be the best time to do this, but is it possible to do this in summer?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Late Spring or Early summer. Timing won’t need to be exact. Just let new season growth harden off some first… otherwise, overly fresh cuttings are going to rot

[@John_GGG]

Unlike other plants, it seems like you don’t trim green giants as they grow. If that is correct, does that result in some plants that grow into shapes that are unsaleable? More good info.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

When they are small, I will remove second leaders or trunks if they develop. You only want your arbs to have one single trunk. As they get bigger, they get ugly when they have two or more. But as trees, they don't need the pruning that something like a flowering shrub would need. They branch plenty and thicken up very well on their own.

[@hosta127]

@@savvydirtfarmer Several of the GG arbs I just got and potted up have two leaders or trunks. Should I cut them off now, or wait a season and use them for cuttings after they put on more growth?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

@@hosta127 Ideally, you want them to grow with 1 main leader. If you wait a bit and let it develop some cuttings before pruning, I can't see what that would hurt.

[@churchmusic86]

Do you have to wait until winter - dormant season - to propagate?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

You can do in winter as hardwoods (dormant wood) or in summer as softwood (green wood).

[@heycatmon]

so how long from cutting do you end up with a rooted cuting? Like a month?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Rooting begins in about a month; to get a legitimate, viable rooted cutting that will turn into a grown plant, roots take a but longer to grow out.

[@drnaughty9312]

Man 10 or 15 for a 3 ft giant is underselling it in my market. I just got a 3 ft one on discount for 32 at a nursery today

[@savvydirtfarmer]

They are expensive, for sure!

[@BooYahPower]

On your in ground spot…any special soil or setup? How close do you plant them

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I work up my native soil with compost and or other amendments to make it light and fluffy... not so they'll grow better (though they will) but so they are easier to dig later on.

[@frankrizzo7307]

Just curious about something. In part 1, you said you did not put fertilizer in the sand/pine bark mixture with the new cuttings and didnt need to do anything but water once in a while. In part 2 here, at about 5min 15sec, you've stated that you put slow release fertilizer. At what point did you add the fertilizer? Thank you.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Once I'm confident the cuttings have roots, I add some slow release fertilizer. But fertilizer has nothing to do with the plants forming roots... just helps grow them once they form.

[@frankrizzo7307]

@@savvydirtfarmer Thank you sir. Very nice videos.

[@frankrizzo7307]

@@savvydirtfarmer Hey. So I have been following your videos and have some cuttings that I put in pots this Nov/2022. When is a good time to pull and re-pot or plant in ground? What is a good fertilizer to use for either pots or in ground? Thank you.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

@@frankrizzo7307 if you mean cuttings that you are sticking as hardwood, unrooted cuttings this November, I would leave them alone, in the shade, until this time next year. Then they will be well rooted and ready to be potted up.

[@stevesmith8767]

I did this back in June, they are now starting to root, do I put this out in the direct sun or continue to leave them under the porch getting partial light

[@savvydirtfarmer]

A little more sun is fine, but don't let them cook! They'll be ready to pot up or grow out in a bed next Spring.

[@gregboshell977]

Would you trim the roots

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I trim them if they are excessively long... otherwise, I just pot them as is.

[@bigmanley772]

So how long from sticking them to pulling and potting?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

1 growing season.

[@bigmanley772]

Thank you

[@jeffhaines2920]

Can you buy cuttings?? Or where can I buy them?? Thank you

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I don’t know where you’d buy cuttings

[@sunxtran2261]

I just bought a 5-6 ft tall one from Lowe’s. It has multiple leaders, can I cut the extra leaders off now and will it fill in?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Depends on what you want them to be long term… more pruning and they’ll never be tall, stately screening trees, but thicker and more bushy. Leave a single leader… remove the rest for long term screening.

[@deanacanfield200]

They are still so green. How can you know that they are dormant? I'd love to try to propagate these, looks like fun. 😂

[@savvydirtfarmer]

They are evergreen. They’re dormant after you have a hard freeez

[@mssumerloving]

So to confirm you put slow release fertilizer after you first planted it? Just want to make sure before I start this process. Also your recommendation is to start it in fall/winter? I'm in zone 5, will the babies do okay outside?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Slow release fertilizer is the way to go. You can do green giants as shown here... in winter, or in late Spring/summer under mist.

[@olsonlr]

Why did you plant them in the ground and not directly into a one gallon pot?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

It’s all about saving space. If I have 1000 green giants, I can use half the square feet by growing them in the ground vs the space pots take up.

[@bhadz100]

With emerald green, do you do the same methodology?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

yes

[@lindaferguson593]

Do you cut these cuttings in winter, and do you root them outside or take them indoors?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Don't remember about these specifically, I'd have to re-watch the video, but I do arborvitae cuttings in summer and winter, never indoors.

[@lindaferguson593]

@@savvydirtfarmer thanks! When they are placed in a cuttings grow container, are they put into a climate controlled area or left outside?

[@lindaferguson593]

I have a row of about 50 that I bought as 8-10" rooted starts off of a wholesale place 3 yrs ago. They are now 4-6'. They are spaced close. 2-2 1/2' ft apart. I'm thinking of digging up every other one to continue my fence row further. Thoughts? Do I do that now, during dormancy? Do I dig straight down at the outermost edge of plants first, down a good 12", for a good root ball? Love your videos!!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

@@lindaferguson593 Good idea, and yes, dig them now, while dormant. Go out several inches from the stem and dig around all sides. Grab the stem, pull up, and shake it off. Take the bare root tree and plant it in another place. Keep watered through the first year.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Outside. I never cover them or bring them in. They get plenty of shade though, before they root. Shade is almost always your friend when propagating anything from cuttings.@@lindaferguson593

[@rickcastellitto979]

Can you take cuttings at anytime for emerald or giant? I'm in zone 6. Can you try to start rooting cuttings in April or May? I'm seeing research saying mid-late summer.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I would wait til early summer or later- the new growth needs to harden up some before you try to propagate.

[@tommyharrison9945]

Where can I buy green giants.

[@naturelover6520]

Hi Could they not be planted directly in the garden once they have roots to save time.? How long did it take to get roots? I mean how long did you have them on the tray before roots developed? Thanks.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

They can be planted directly into the ground once they have roots. They root in about 8 weeks once the weather warms, but need more time for those roots to develop well... I leave them in the container until the following winter, once dormant I will dig them out.

[@josephgamache3350]

What root hormone do you use

[@savvydirtfarmer]

none. I never do.

[@angrydwarfofdoom]

Can you propagate arborvitae anytime or must it be done in winter?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

There are different ways to do it at different times of year. As shown here, in winter. In late Spring through Summer, under mist.

[@danellenberg4677]

I’ve had an issue with them dying shortly after potting. Do you have any advice on this?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Are you potting them bare root this time of year?

[@msher479]

So they take one entire year to root?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

If I stick them in May, they have roots by the end of June, but I leave them be and just let them grow til winter. Then, pot them up and grow them out the following season.

[@idontinvest1039]

How long is 1 growing season?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Spring through fall

[@idontinvest1039]

How long does it take to root?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

4-8 weeks, generally. Just depends on time of year, condition of cuttings, etc

[@IsmaelGuzmanMadera]

do you sell rooted cutings to customers???

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I do not. I'm not capable of rooting enough plants to have enough for that yet.

[@okpalms1]

Does this work with skyrocket junipers?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Good question. I do not know for sure. I have done it with high success with blue rug junipers, though I realize that is a completely different plant. It would be worth a try.

[@renee2005]

❤

[@ryanfrankum3493]

Does this really work

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Watch the video

[@lilyrosedaisyvioletsweetpe1207]

💚