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Q: I have a sour cherry sucker growing from a root that is more than 7.5 cm in diameter. As I cannot cut the root to pot the sucker what can I do to induce the sucker to root? The sucker is now about 30 cm tall and I intend to use it as a rootstock for grafting.
A: I get excited whenever I get a question about grafting as it has been my hobby for many years. It might be time in a future column to talk about the joys and benefits of grafting fruit trees.
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Normally I would tell you to root prune the tree by cutting through the root at the base of the sucker but a 7.5 cm root is a problem. Instead, you can cut off the sucker from the root, and dip the sucker’s cut end in rooting hormone powder, which can be found in most garden centres. Stick the hormone-dipped end into a container of moist sand. Keep the sucker moist and mist the top occasionally. Keep it out of direct sun. It should root in a few weeks.
Q: Our condo complex has pink shrub roses. They are growing on the east side of the building and I’m afraid I don’t know the variety. They are up to 2 m tall, they need staking and have only a few blooms. Can we trim them down? If so, how much, and what time of the year would be best for a more compact growth and encourage blooming?
A: The best time to prune the roses would be spring before they bud out. My rule of thumb when pruning back is to cut back one-quarter. So, in your case, you would be cutting off 45 cm. I’m a little concerned that the roses may not be getting enough sun on the east side of the building and that may be why they are not blooming well and going lanky. They should be getting at least six hours of sun a day to perform at their best. You can try the pruning and see if that makes a difference in the bloom next season. Try fertilizing with a fertilizer that has a higher second number such as 5-10-5 to encourage bloom. If these suggestions don’t work moving the plants may be the alternative.
Every week, Growing Things Outdoors runs online at edmontonjournal.com or, if you prefer an epaper format, epaper.edmontonjournal.com
Learn more by emailing your questions to filipskigerald@gmail.com, reading past columns or my book Just Ask Jerry. You can also follow me on Twitter @justaskjerry01.
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