garden 'standards'......

[buzzcut]

I'm trying to root a few cuttings from my dwarf burning bush. going to experiment with making a standard out of one.

something has to be done as I am finding out this burning bush does not like its home anymore. with all the moisture we have received over the past few years, the plant is really struggling in its present environment. I have to either get some cuttings to work, and/or dig it up and move it to a drier area in the yard.

my sister has a dwarf burning bush standard (from a nursery, I believe---I know she didn't do it---likes landscaping, as long as someone else does it). it's a pretty cool standard.

so, anyway, wondered if anyone has any experience with standards? this will be my first venture. I found a couple articles to read about creating one. if anyone has some tips to pass along, it would be greatly appreciated!

tia

[bullthistle]

To my knowledge what is dwarf remains dwarf and what is standard remains standard. The only time plants will change is if they are grafted. Sometimes nursery labels are mislabeled. You might want to pop your dwarf out of the ground so that the crown is higher then the soil level that way it will not trap water as much.

[buzzcut]

sorry. yep, standard as like roses---with trunk. I've seen roses, rosemary, lavender, and coleus ones. they all had "bushy" growth at the top.

could get pic, but, she lives long ways away---never know when she could send one---she's always busy.
just thot it might be an interesting experiment. I did find a bonsai burning bush in an article.

[Kisal]

We had a previous discussion in which I offered links to some YouTube videos that show how to create a standard. They are not my videos, but they show the step-by-step process quite clearly, I believe. Perhaps they will be of help to you.

https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=161919#161919

As far as rooting the cuttings goes, you need to use softwood cuttings, and I recommend that you use a rooting hormone. There are explanations at these links:

https://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/pnw0152/pnw0152.html

[url=https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=2&sqi=2&ved=0CB0QFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.caes.uga.edu%2Fextension%2Fstephens%2Fanr%2Fdocuments%2FPropagation_Schedule_for_Woody_Ornamentals.doc&rct=j&q=Extension%20Service%20how%20to%20root%20softwood%20cuttings&ei=wKU9TriaJMbhiALOoKHDBg&usg=AFQjCNFRnAO5Y2mmYrNyiDikNCx8NdD8ew&sig2=LVPfDdo1YIMU66x0G_zYKQ&cad=rja]and this .doc file[/url]

I haven't had success in my efforts with softwood cuttings (I only tried once), but I know many of our members have. I'm sure they will be able to offer you guidance. You could also use our Forum Search function to access those older threads.

[buzzcut]

thanks for the links, kisal. if I have some luck with the cuttings, should be an interesting little project. we shall see.

I thought the bonsai form pic I came across was rather interesting.