Every year, I want to try propagating something from the garden. I divided daylilies, sedums, Shasta daisies, and Asters last year, and they all settled down very well in the new spots. This year, I am working on the pink currant plants that I bought several years ago.
I didn't give them sufficient attention last year, and the small raised bed is somehow invaded by all kinds of weeds. I checked them a few weeks ago realized that all three plants look very sad - almost no new leaves. So two days ago, I dug them out. Yes, my bad, I didn't even prune them.
Some are very old stems that need to be pruned.
After taking closer look, it's interesting to find that many branches developed roots as they were buried with soil (not me, just after years of growth and my neglect). In other words, the nature did some 'layering' works on them. I read this 'layering' technique for a long while but didn't try yet. It's fascinating to see this with my own eyes.
So, I removed and discarded all dead branches. Then, I took a somewhat bold step - I divided the plants based on their current structures, rather than simply removing more inward-growing branches.
I kept the main plant with the most complete root system, and several sub-plants with comparatively less but should be sufficient roots. For example, three plants were divided from one in the photo below. The main plant (middle) still has the problem that all branches are too centered, but this can be improved later via branch training.
They are soaking in water with a bit liquid feed now. I will transplant the main plants into bottomless containers and buried the containers in the ground. For the sub-plants, I will pot them on, let them stay in a tray(they will get water from the tray as a root training), and keep them where receives mostly filtered or dappled sunlight for weeks. As the sub-plants begin to develop stronger root systems and show signs of new growth, I will gradually transition them to locations with more sunlight.
I also made some cuttings (mostly for fun). So maybe, if the divided plants do well, I will have a currant patch next year. Those are pink currants, and I have propagated black currants two years ago from cuttings (they are bearing fruits now), plus the red ones brought by birds - I have collected three colors already.
Meanwhile, I am also trying to use the basal shoots from the apple rose (Rosa rugosa) to form a short hedge in front of one chicken coop.
Plant propagation is so much fun!
