Trying to start curry tree cuttings, this time.
- pepperhead212
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Trying to start curry tree cuttings, this time.
I didn't have great luck with those plants I started from seeds - they just sat there, after getting to 3-4 inches, and eventually gave up.
I went on YouTube and tried some cuttings shortly after that, but got nothing. I had to trim that plant, as it was just getting too large! So I went on YouTube again, and looked at a bunch of them, and not all were touting using the very thick, so called hardwood cuttings - some called for cuttings farther up on the stem, most saying "still flexible", but not too soft, so about the diameter of a pencil, and some used a little smaller. And a couple started them like I do with lemongrass - just stick them in water! Most called for rooting hormone, but a couple, again, just used turmeric powder. So I cut 3 long stems, and used the different thicknesses, including a couple tops, leaving just a few small leaves - something one person did. So overall, I have 9 cuttings - 2 in water, 3 in turmeric, and 4 in root-tone. Here are the ones in the soil mix. The ones in water are one thick, and one thin one.
Starting (hopefully) curry tree cuttings, 3 dipped in turmeric, 4 in rooting powder. 2 more in water, in kitchen. by pepperhead212, on Flickr
All those curry leaves (and I might trim more in the morning) I'll take over to the Indian market tomorrow. Haven't been there in a long time, and he'll know what I have!
I went on YouTube and tried some cuttings shortly after that, but got nothing. I had to trim that plant, as it was just getting too large! So I went on YouTube again, and looked at a bunch of them, and not all were touting using the very thick, so called hardwood cuttings - some called for cuttings farther up on the stem, most saying "still flexible", but not too soft, so about the diameter of a pencil, and some used a little smaller. And a couple started them like I do with lemongrass - just stick them in water! Most called for rooting hormone, but a couple, again, just used turmeric powder. So I cut 3 long stems, and used the different thicknesses, including a couple tops, leaving just a few small leaves - something one person did. So overall, I have 9 cuttings - 2 in water, 3 in turmeric, and 4 in root-tone. Here are the ones in the soil mix. The ones in water are one thick, and one thin one.

All those curry leaves (and I might trim more in the morning) I'll take over to the Indian market tomorrow. Haven't been there in a long time, and he'll know what I have!
Woodbury, NJ zone 7a/7b
- pepperhead212
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Re: Trying to start curry tree cuttings, this time.
I tried it again, after 3 previous failures, and it worked this time! At least one of them. There might be a green bud started on one of the other 3, but the one has several green buds. I tried the same thing as when I trimmed the curry tree back in fall, when it was time to bring in. These are not soft stem cuttings, like basil, but hardwood cuttings, with no leaves left on them, but the nodes is where the new growth starts.
Curry tree cutting, with green buds, almost a month after planting. 11-8 by pepperhead212, on Flickr
3 other cuttings from curry tree, no green buds yet, like one other, but not giving up hope! by pepperhead212, on Flickr


Woodbury, NJ zone 7a/7b
- MissS
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Re: Trying to start curry tree cuttings, this time.
I wonder if you would have better luck with your cuttings if you started them in spring when the plants are in a high growth state rather than as they are going rather dormant.
~ Patti ~
AKA ~ Hooper
AKA ~ Hooper
- pepperhead212
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Re: Trying to start curry tree cuttings, this time.
This thing was not going dormant, when I trimmed all that from it in early October! But when I first started trying this, several years ago, I tried the first of the new growth, like I've always used with basil, oregano, mint, and any other plants I would root, but these, as well as the lime tree, would not root this way, or with the softwood cuttings. Much later, I saw videos on YouTube showing that these hardwood cuttings were the main method used for propagating these plants in India. I had never done this with anything before, but figured I'd try it, and after those previous failures, it worked! Not that I really need another curry tree. 

Woodbury, NJ zone 7a/7b
- worth1
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Re: Trying to start curry tree cuttings, this time.
I think they are landscape plants around here and wild too.
Just not for sure.
Just not for sure.
Worth
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.
You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.
You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.