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How do I take a cutting from my forsythia?

cybelexcybelex Posts: 7
in Problem solving
Hi
I have a forsythia in my garden and it's very tall and not very bushy! Can I take the top from one of the tall branches and plant it alongside to make the bush more bushy!
Thanks
Jane :-)
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Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited April 2019
    Hello Jane :) Forsythia strikes well from cuttings, but a cutting planted close to an established shrub is unlikely to grow well. 

    Why not prune the forsythia in such a way that will encourage new growth from lower down?

    If you post a photo of your shrub we could explain  :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • cybelexcybelex Posts: 7
    Hi Dove
    Thanks for your quick response, I'm only just getting into gardening [and I'm loving it] but I've got so much to learn! I've attached a picture, I hope it's good enough ... any help would be appreciated.
    Jane :-)
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    When it has  just finished flowering, cut the longer branches back by half. They will then branch and bush out.  If you cut later in the season, the new wood doesn't have time to ripen and will not flower next year.
  • AndyDeanAndyDean Posts: 157
    You could use the prunings for cuttings - stick them in a pot and when they've rooted grow them on. I've done it before, was no effort at all!
  • cybelexcybelex Posts: 7
    Hi fidgetbones & Andy
    Thanks very much for the suggestions, I'll definitely have a go at cutting the stems back and trying to grow them on. Do I cut it back when ALL the flowers have gone? Please forgive my ignorance!
    Thanks
    Jane :-)
  • TheveggardenerTheveggardener Posts: 1,057

    Hi cybelex, As has been said above Forsythia is easy to propagate. Last year I took 5 and all five have taken. I just put them in a pot with a gritty compost or stick them in the garden and forget about them then this time next year you will see they have rooted. If you put the into the garden makes sure you put them where you want them to grow so you don't have to move them. If in a pot put the pot somewhere and again forget about them apart from watering when needed that is.
  • cybelexcybelex Posts: 7
    Thanks Dee, I'm definitely going to have a go! :-)
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    Yes, wait until all the flowers have gone. Probably about another two weeks.
  • cybelexcybelex Posts: 7
    Great, thanks fidgetbones :-) 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited April 2019
    Hi ... thank goodness the others were around ... I was doing some h**sew**k and making a chicken and leek pie. 😉 

    I agree with all the above ... that forsythia will soon bush out and in a couple of years you’ll have a fine shrub and you can pot up some cuttings for your friends. 😊 

    Happy gardening 👍 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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