Propagating Ceratostigma willmottianum - Ask Extension
I have a Ceratostigma willmottianum in my garden that I want to propagate. I collected seeds last fall and they sat in a shed all winter. I have no ex...
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Propagating Ceratostigma willmottianum #863876
Asked April 09, 2024, 6:19 PM EDT
I have a Ceratostigma willmottianum in my garden that I want to propagate. I collected seeds last fall and they sat in a shed all winter. I have no experience using cuttings to propagate plants or any greenhouse setup. I’m worried about killing my only plant trying to divide it.
That’s my level of know how and what I have to work with. Can you provide any help with how I should go about this? I’m willing to learn new things, I just need some expert advice. This is my favorite plant and it has been unavailable to purchase from anywhere that I have found. Dancing Oaks Nursery has said they had it in the past, but it was not the same plant.
Thanks for your help!
Washington County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Jennifer and thanks for your question about propagating your Ceratostigma willmottianum, or Chinese Plumbago. It's a beautiful flower that I had not heard of, so thanks for the heads-up!
It looks like seeds will work... just get some good potting soil and plant them about as deep as the width of the seed. You can start them in a flat or put 3 seeds each in 4 inch pots. In a flat, you will transfer them to pots when they sprout but either way, you will want to have them under fluorescent lights until big enough to plant outside. You can also wait until the middle of May when all frosts are done and plant seeds directly in the ground.
If you want to try cuttings, I'll attach a website with a free description of how to do it. It's a little more complicated, but yu won't have to wait for the seeds to grow up. Take the cuttings in late June or July from not quite mature stems. Just try one or two this year until you get the technique perfected.
https://pubs.extension.wsu.edu/propagating-deciduous-and-evergreen-shrubs-trees-vines-with-stem-cuttings
And here's a bit more about your beautiful plant:
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ceratostigma-willmottianum/
Best of luck with your propagation adventure!
It looks like seeds will work... just get some good potting soil and plant them about as deep as the width of the seed. You can start them in a flat or put 3 seeds each in 4 inch pots. In a flat, you will transfer them to pots when they sprout but either way, you will want to have them under fluorescent lights until big enough to plant outside. You can also wait until the middle of May when all frosts are done and plant seeds directly in the ground.
If you want to try cuttings, I'll attach a website with a free description of how to do it. It's a little more complicated, but yu won't have to wait for the seeds to grow up. Take the cuttings in late June or July from not quite mature stems. Just try one or two this year until you get the technique perfected.
https://pubs.extension.wsu.edu/propagating-deciduous-and-evergreen-shrubs-trees-vines-with-stem-cuttings
And here's a bit more about your beautiful plant:
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ceratostigma-willmottianum/
Best of luck with your propagation adventure!
Thank you so much for your help!
On Apr 12, 2024, at 11:15 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
