fatsia japonica

[shaneystar]

i have a huge fatsia in my garden which I would like to propogate.I have tried several times to grow a cutting from it with no success.It is now in bloom.Well bloom is not quite the right word.It has these large cream clusters growing up from the central stem.Can I take seed from these and try that or has anyone a better suggestion.Come in andyjevs your advice would be much appreciated !!

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[andyjevs]

I've always grown fatsia from cuttings.....i've never found them to be a problem although the cutting doesn't like to be too cold and wet at soil level as they will rot.

In spring/summer, i take a large tip cutting around 6" long and remove all but 1 pair of leaves...this cuts down on water loss from the cutting....one of the main reasons cuttings fail.

Put a bit of rooting hormone on the bottom of the cutting and place in a pot of cuttings soil (pearlite or vermiculite would also be good)

Water in and keep the cutting warm and humid but not to damp at soil level. Keep the leaves sprayed over as often as possible. Bottom heat will be very benificial.

I would think that seed can be bought but i've never seen them set seed in the uk....they might do but i've just never seen it. I would imagine they would need stratifying (cold treatment).

Do a search for Chilterns seeds...they do loads of obscure stuff and i've always had good results when growing stuff for my bonsai.

Good luck

[andyjevs]

Don it for ya !!!

http://www.edirectory.co.uk/chilternseeds/pages/moreinfo .asp?pe=DBFBAGCFQ_+fatsia+japonica&cid=211

[shaneystar]

Andy you are a star. I have jotted this all down in my gardening notebook. I was just breaking off a leaf at the main stem and bunging it in John Innes multi purpose and hoping for the best.Probably overwatering as well.
I shall give this another go in the spring as I have no greenhouse..well only one of those small mini ones.I shall send off for some seed as well and give that a try.
Thank you very much for your advice ...much appreciated.

[woofgang]

my Mum's fatsia sets viable seed every year. You just pull them off the plant when ripe and shove in a pot. Leave outdoors over the winter and up they pop in the spring

[shaneystar]

Thanks woofgang I'll give that a go too....it's such a huge plant now and I want to grow one in another part of the garden.Mainly to screen a bit of fence between us and the neighbours.I suppose I could go out and buy one from a garden centre but that is defeating the object . I do like a challenge.In the park nearby there is a huge Buddelia Globulosa and I pulled a bit off (naughty I know) and shoved it the ground and it is about four foot high now !!

[andyjevs]

Shaneystar......i might have a couple of cuttings of Buddelia x madegascarensis ( but could be B x Weyeriana !!!) This budelia has traditional buddelia flower spikes of pure creamy yellow. They are as rare as rocking horse poo but i have one at home. Let me know. Andy

[shaneystar]

This is the one I have got ( this a pic from the web not mine).

http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants/bugl1.htm
I think the other one they call the smoke bush ?
There are loads of different ones in the park near me..next time I go round with the dog I shall have a closer look !!

[Jude123]

First to arrive, Hope you've all got yer wellies on. It's still raining!!

[Robinia]

Right behind you Jude...what a day! Are we in tents again or is there a terrapin hut somewhere around here?

[Jude123]

Come on in Robi it's dry in here

[woofgang]

not just dry but very floral
bit perishing here today so a nice warm potting shed sounds like a good idea

[Robinia]

<♫...here I am at camp gorgonzola... ♫>
oh well, it nearly fits...morning folks, a surprisingly good night's sleep, must be all this fresh air & creosote. I hope someone's going to remove this splinter for me though. The sun's shining (on & off) so what needs doing around here? Mowing, snipping? Ok, well I hope you've finished by the time I get back with cstrds....

<scarpers> > > > > >

[jno]

why does it say on the H&G page there are only 5 answers here when there are really 12?

We got a fatsia from the lady down the road but it is waiting twiddling its fat thumbs in a pot until the council gives us permission to decimate the oak tree (which it is taking its time over, though we have been promised we will get it).

Not that today is any time to go gardening, it is dull and looking like rain and the lawn is waterlogged again from yesterday's downpours. Gah, bring back summer, preferably this year.

[netibiza]

Ah here I is finally - no talking about fatsias in gardens cos that'll be me at the moment ! <<grrrr - i hate all things garden>>

Feel fine today. Have ordered a dual sim touch screen contract free mobile phone from England this morning, that's cheered me up, except now I'm worritting about whether this is a real company - oh well, can't be bothered.

Have just hosed down our big patio as it was very dusty and dirty, but now I've dirtied Mr N's clean white wall, ooops.

Look for this fatsia under the nearest boulder!!

[jno]

neti, you have weed in aisle 3, block 7, please attend to it

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1117/1425538950 _9f44111825.jpg

[jno]

eek - I mean you have A weed...

[netibiza]

Ha ha jno I know how to get out of any maze now, I was shown how after I was stuck in Hampton court for hours!

Have just remembered that I have to go to hospital this afternnon for a back x-ray so must now get ready. Hope there are some lully young technicians there to lift me onto the table!!

[Robinia]

good luck neti


pssst, jno, I think it's possible you were right the first time, she'd do anything to try & kill a bit of greenery

[netibiza]

Live and let weeds live, I say!!

[Robinia]

well I think we need cctv around here to make sure you've haven't wee'd on shaney's weeds...

.....not that she has any of course...oh now I'm digging a hole in the lawn...