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.
Lulla says
April 5, 2017 at 2:34 pmI 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.
Mike says
April 5, 2017 at 6:39 pmLulla,
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.
Jay says
April 5, 2017 at 6:30 amThanks 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
Mike says
April 5, 2017 at 8:00 amJay,
Yes prune them. See this https://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2014/04/rooted-cuttings-how-to-pot-and-or-plant-them-how-when-how-often-and-how-much-to-prune-them/
Dean says
April 4, 2017 at 8:05 pmMike, 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!
Mike says
April 5, 2017 at 8:10 amDean,
I think Roger covers them, he covers most everything in his backyard. But I’m sure they’d be fine uncovered, I cover nothing.
Kevin Green says
April 1, 2017 at 9:56 amI enjoyed both videos , but I especially the one on Alberta Spruce , that is a species there isn’t much information on .
Mike says
April 1, 2017 at 6:40 pmThanks 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.