Rooting Stem Cuttings of Herbaceous and Woody Ornamentals in Substrates Containing Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana)

Abstract

Propagation substrates can strongly influence rooting success of stem cuttings. Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana L.) chips (ERC) have been suggested as a propagation substrate component. This study investigated ERC as a perlite substitute in a perlite:sphagnum peat moss (3:1 v/v) rooting substrate. Stem cuttings of coleus [Solenostemon scutellarioides (L.) Codd], English ivy (Hedera helix L.), forsythia (Forsythia ×intermedia Zab.), lantana (Lantana camara L.), and spreading euonymus (Euonymus kiautschovicus Loes.) were rooted in substrates containing increasing concentrations of ERC hammer-milled to pass a 4.8 mm (0.19 in) screen. All species rooted well (≥ 95%) in all substrates except forsythia which rooted poorly in all substrates (8 to 36%). ERC concentration did not affect mean root number or mean root length in any species except spreading euonymus where mean root number peaked at 0 and 100% ERC content and mean root length decreased with increasing ERC content. Bulk density, container capacity, and total porosity increased as ERC replaced perlite. Physical properties of all substrates were suitable for cutting propagation. ERC can effectively replace perlite in rooting substrates for many ornamental species.