Propagating Penstemon 'Burgundy'

Hello all

I Hope you are Well.

I have a Couple of Penstemon 'Burgundy' Plants.

I would like to get more but I am having difficulty in finding them Online.

How Easy is it to Propagate Penstemon?

Thanks in advance

Kevin

 

I've had success with semi-ripe cuttings or penstemons taken in late summer to early autumn, but I never tried that particular variety. I didn't succeed with spring softwood cuttings (they seem to wilt before rooting despite being covered) but if you get plenty of new growth you could try it, or even sticking a few shoots in a glass of water on a windowsill indoors where it's warm.

 

Hello @JennyJB

Thanks for the Reply.

I will give it a go once Spring comes round.

This will be a First for me so hopefully it will work.

Kevin

 

I've found most penstemon cuttings are very easy from the many varieties I have.
I use young shoots in Spring about 4".
Trim most of the leaves off leaving a node at the base of the cutting - just as you would with any such cutting.
Use very gritty compost (even plain sharp sand or perlite works well) and put cuttings at the edge of the pot (a clay pot is best as they breathe, but plastic is fine)
Water them then cover pot with a bag and leave somewhere where it's warm (fortunately I have a heated propagator).
I usually see roots at the base of the pot in 2-3 weeks, then remove the bag and transplant them.

 

Hi Kevin,

I had a member from here send me cuttings late May in a Jiffy bag . I removed the bottom leaves and kept in a glass of water on the window sill , roots quickly formed and potted 3 cuttings to a 9cm pot .. they are so easy makes you wonder why so expensive to buy.
Hope that helps

Spruce

 

@Kevin Cowans

I’m potting off penstemon cuttings today and it reminded me of your post.

The picture below is of P. Sour Grapes cuttings which I took on 30th October 2024. They have over-wintered in a cold propagator in my summerhouse. There is a school of thought that penstemon cuttings do better under cooler conditions. I take cuttings about 12 cms long, cutting just below a node. I look for material where the stem is just changing from soft green growth to more ‘woody’ and cut at that point. They go into a gritty damp compost with a propagator lid on them and then get left to their own devices! Good luck.

 

Hello all

Thanks for the Replies.

I have got some Westland Seed and Cuttings Compost and also some Westland Rooting Powder.

Can anyone recommend a Small(ish) Propagator that will house 9cm Pots?

And lastly, can Echinacea Delicious Candy be Propagated in the same way?

Thanks in advance

Kevin