[Anke]

Womble - you are not the only one... I have stuck a self-seeded little plant into a pot (from another pot) last autumn, to see what it is.... as it didn't look like any of my usual weeds and I am quite keen to grow trees from seed... guess what, turns out to be goat willow! It will have a place somewhere, as I use it to branch-feed the goats.

[Backinwellies]

    …. Ok now I've stopped laughing.....  don't destroy …. all livestock love them ….. and they grow where nothing else but rushes grow....  goats and cows will destroy fences to get to them …..  cut and feed to anything ….. make tree hay ……  is medicinal for livestock too    (pain killer I think?)

[Womble]

I've just been on a woodland walk with my friend who took the cuttings originally.


Lots of "look mate, there's *another* blueberry tree - we'll have to come back and pick the berries in July".


He was not amused. But I was! 

[Penninehillbilly]

I've just been on a woodland walk with my friend who took the cuttings originally.

Lots of "look mate, there's *another* blueberry tree - we'll have to come back and pick the berries in July".
He was not amused. But I was! 

[Gardners Cottage]

[member=2128]Womble[/member]

Hi mate!

Blueberries is generally not grafted and propagating from cuts it is the right thing to do! i.e you wont risk to 'generate' spurious unproductive plants!
For blueberries it is all about Ph and root contraints.
They like very acidic soild, which is almost impossible to achieve in soil well drained due to the general wash out and leakage! I had a similar experience, where, planting in ground as it did 'sterilise' the plant.
Next year I have returned to pot.. and it did thrive. I got a plant mate 'later flowering' and the bridgeing between seasons is perfect! This give both plants more chances! Also leave on the top some odd conifer leaves, cones for extra acidity! This works actually great! Managed to crop 3Kg from each 3 years potted plant last year! I was in a suburban place and wildlife did contribute but not massively!!

As I got new garden, previously established plants only produce 2-3 dots (From wood I believe they are 6 years +). The reason behind this is 1) age of wood. Young wood 2 year old is the best option. 2) acidy of soil 3) pollination.. they can thrive up north... I am in Scotland  and although you are slightly norther then me climate is similar.

Overall dont put in polytunnel.. they dont need it and I believe it is actually worst (put tomatoes and courgettes! )

If you still get willows make baskets and sell them.. lol!

 

[Fleecewife]

The tip about using conifer leaves works for strawberries too - they love a coniferous mulch  .


I shall try them under my blueberries now I have some pines.  Thanks [member=195911]Gardners Cottage[/member]

[Womble]

Well, I took the plunge and cut down the big "blueberry" bush in the orchard and dragged it out to the boggy bit of our field. Then I took the branches off one by one and stuck them in the ground - 25 different cuttings in all!

I figure if they grow into bushes or trees, I'm happy, and if the sheep eat them or the cuttings don't take, that's also fine. Either way, it will be interesting to see what happens next!

[arobwk]

Womble, you might want to strip the leaves off your "cuttings" while they are trying to produce some roots ! 

[Womble]

Oh, ok [member=152775]arobwk[/member] ! I did say at the start that I know nothing.


How many of the leaves? all of them?

[doganjo]

Oh, ok [member=152775]arobwk[/member] ! I did say at the start that I know nothing.


How many of the leaves? all of them?

Usually it's bare sticks of willow that are planted so yes, all of them

[Womble]

Fair enough!

Wouldn't it be funny if I killed all the willow though. I honestly thought that was impossible!

Then again, I did once manage to burn a pot noodle, so....

[Penninehillbilly]

Or cut half the tops off and stick them in water, Stripping the bottom leaves off so they don't rot? Put in a cool shady place and they will root, then you have even more ?
Then maybe just leave a few leaves on the stems in the ground? Would agree too many leaves on would suck more moisture than stems could deal with, but willow does seem to survive most treatment ?.

[doganjo]

Try some upside down David 

[Penninehillbilly]

Or just pressed length ways into the ground, instant (almost)  fedge 

[doganjo]

Willow will grow whatever you do to it