This post shows How to Propagate Illinois Everbearing Mulberry trees using softwood cuttings and a mist irrigation system. The process involves taking cuttings during the summer, dipping the cutting in rooting hormone, and putting the cutting into a soil that drains very well. Then you mist the leaves every five to ten minutes during daylight hours.
How to Propagate Illinois Everbearing Mulberry – The Tree
First Steps
The first step is to pick the right time of year and the right wood. Illinois everbearing mulberry does good with softwood and semi-softwood cuttings. These are cuttings that are taken from this year’s new growth in mid to late summer where the wood snaps when bent.
How to Propagate Illinois Everbearing Mulberry
Next
Then you cut the branches down so they have two to four internodes. These are any place a branch or leaf comes out. I usually go with three or four. You then leave two leafs at the top and remove the bottom leafs. If the leaves are large, cut them in half so they do not transpire too much and dry out.
Go for a Dip
You now dip the bottoms of the cuttings in rooting hormone. I use dip and grow liquid hormone because I only need the one product and I can mix it as strong as I like. You use more solution on harder wood and less on softer wood. Powder rooting hormone will work, but you may need to get several different products for different concentrations.
How to Propagate Illinois Everbearing Mulberry – Rooting Hormone
I’ll Bury You
Now it is time to put the cuttings into the ground. Push them into your planting medium about two inches down. Your planting medium should be something that drains freely and easily. You do not want to saturate the soil where disease and pathogens will proliferate.
How to Propagate Illinois Everbearing Mulberry – Mist Bed
Shower Time
These little cuttings will die if the dry out. You don’t want to soak the ground, but you do want to keep the leaves wet. The best way to do this is with a mist irrigation system that automatically comes on. I use the Galcon 8056 and have it programmed for 10 seconds on and 5 minutes off. This runs all day, but shuts totally off from 9 PM until 6 AM.
?Want to Help our Small Business Out?
If you are local you can support our small business by buying plants at Great Escape Nursery . You can also help us by shopping on Amazon just by going through our storefront! As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases. There is no additional cost to you! Our storefront at Amazon is located at this link: https://www.amazon.com/shop/greatescapefarms. Buying from either location helps our business produce more content for you.
If you like this blog post and want to find out more about Great Escape Farms check out our Great Escape Farms Overview. Here you get an overview of all the wonderful stuff we are involved in. Also, sign up for our email list at the bottom of the linked page.
Great Escape Farms is now on Patreon! You can support us for as little as $1. If you enjoy our work and want to help support us, please check out our Patreon page at: https://www.patreon.com/gef.
Roll the Video
Check out our YouTube video on this subject titled Propagating Illinois Everbearing Mulberry.
Thanks for visiting the How to Propagate Illinois Everbearing Mulberry post.
Thanks! I love my Illinois everbraring so much, I need more and now I know how to do it. Very impressed with the organisation of yourpropagation too. How did they all work out? Do you ever do without hormone?
I have not tried it without hormone. I have heard that a willow tea will work as well and is considered organic. I may try that in the summer of 2018.
What percentage of the cuttings that you took struck roots?
Good morning! Stumbled onto your site this morning and love the info. Terrific site.
I was wondering if you, or anyone you know, or anyone who reads this would be willing to sell me a few Everbearing Mulberry cuttings? I’d love to plant a few on our farm here in Texas, but they are hard to find.
Thanks, and keep up the good work!