Small Dwarf Alberta Spruce in a One Quart Container.
Dwarf Alberta Spruce is a hot seller!
Doesn’t look like much sitting on that tree stump does it? Believe it or not, small Dwarf Alberta Spruce that size are in high demand on the wholesale market! Growers all over are constantly looking for them from 2″ to 4′.
One of the first plants that I planted out in My First Backyard Nursery was Dwarf Alberta Spruce. Way back in 1989 I bought 1,000 of them for one dollar each and they were barely, barley 2″ tall and no where as nice as the one in this photo. First winter I lost 250 of the one thousand! Devastating right? No, it wasn’t and I explain why in this post.
How to Propagate, Root Cuttings, of Dwarf Alberta Spruce.
The best way to propagate Dwarf Alberta Spruce is via Softwood Cuttings in mid Summer Using a System Like This. They are a bit slow to root, usually about 6 to 8 weeks before they are rooted and they are slow growing. Dwarf Alberta only grows 2″ to 3″ per year.
But a smart grower would plant 20 or 30 of these around yard so they would have a perpetual supply of cuttings to root.
Like most conical evergreen trees it’s important to Not Let them Develop Multiple Leaders. (see the second video below) The only other thing to know is that they tend to grow short and really fat if you let them, like a Hershey’s Kiss, and nobody wants them shaped like that. So once a year you need to trim them up to make them thinner and pointed. Conical in shape.
Roger Higgins talks about propagating Dwarf Alberta Spruce.
Roger Higgins, Roger’s Backyard Nursery
Cranesville, Pennsylvania
This video is about Preventing Evergreen
Trees from Developing Multiple Leaders.
Thank you Roger for the tutorial on how you do Dwarf Alberta Spruce Cuttings!
Questions, comments, mean things to say? Post them below and I’ll respond.
Hi Mike (and Roger),
I’m sticking them as hardwood since we’ve had several freezes now. I’m sure they root faster in summer under most, but will they do ok as hardwood cuttings?
A relative is moving and they let me take cuttings from their dwarf Alberta spruce before they moved out, so it was now or never lol.
Thanks
Cheryl,
Without bottom heat I’m not sure how well they will do. But I have heard of them being done without it so do let me know.
Thanks Mike, I’ll try a few different experiments and see what happens, since it won’t cost anything but a little time.
I couldn’t hear one part when Roger spoke. Did he say “if they touch at any point they will go brown?”
I guess he means the trees are not to touch. I have a small A. spruce on my patio and the bottom of it went completely brown and thinking of starting new ones with the upper leaves. Is that ‘do-able?” Thx.
Lulla,
It is. Wait for new growth and do them in the summer with the new growth. And yes, unlike most plants, the cuttings or plants in containers should not touch. It browns them out.
Thanks for providing good info re how/when to prune rooted cuttings/liners but I have rooted Hebe cuttings, 6-8 inch tall.one has developed a tiny flower bud. should I prune them before potting up? Can’t find any info anywhere. Don’t know variety, but is 4ft, evergreen, decent sized budlea type lilac flowers, hope you can help
Jay,
Yes prune them. See this http://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2014/04/rooted-cuttings-how-to-pot-and-or-plant-them-how-when-how-often-and-how-much-to-prune-them/
Mike, So he roots them in sand and under mist in late summer for 6-ish weeks, but then does he cover them like his grasses over winter or does he let them fend for themselves? They’re a great plant esp for smaller landscapes. Thanks!
Dean,
I think Roger covers them, he covers most everything in his backyard. But I’m sure they’d be fine uncovered, I cover nothing.
I cover them for winter while they are little. We usually get a good amount of snow and that can litterally flatten the poor little things. Trust me, I know this from experience.
I enjoyed both videos , but I especially the one on Alberta Spruce , that is a species there isn’t much information on .
Thanks Kevin, lots of opportunity growing Dwarf Alberta Spruce at just about any size. I have more videos from Roger’s place as soon as I get them posted.