Rooting Dormant Kiwi (or Grape, or Elderberry, etc) Cuttings
—by MTCA member Jesse Stevens
- Use cuttings at least 2 nodes in length, oriented correctly so that the leaf scars face downward.
- Lightly score bottom node to expose cambium and increase rooting surface area-optional but recommended.
- Stick end of cutting 1.5–3″ deep in water-retentive medium—80% peat, 20% Perlite has worked well.
- Keep in a lightly shaded environment outside; can use lightweight burlap or shade cloth suspended above.
- Keep soil moist but not saturated for duration; important to not allow it to dry out or be overly saturated.
- Ten cuttings can be put in a 1 gal pot filled with medium 5″ and topped off with shade cloth for a mini propagation unit.
- It may be helpful to periodically moisten shade fabric if the weather is hot and sunny before root development if the cuttings have leafed out.
- Rooting usually takes 4-8 weeks.
- At the three month mark, they can be re-potted into larger pots, or left in the container until the following spring.
- Winter mortality is likely in Maine with 1st year platelets, so protection is recommended—root cellar would be a good option.
