sarcococca confusa(christmas box)

[goddess]

I would like to propagate this sweetly fragnant plant.Any advice on what is the best way of doing it?my plant has black berries which i assume have seeds in them,any advice greatly appreciated.

[Flummery]

Gorgeous plant isn't it? I've had a bit in water on the windowsill since Christmas and it hasn't offered to put out any roots so I'd try the berries. I haven't done it myself because I thought a cutting would be quicker!
Mine's near the back door and the flowers smell absolutely gorgeous when you come in from the garden.

[piskieinboots]

I believe this plant is best propagated by semi-ripe cuttings in summer

[Flummery]

That'll be why they didn't fancy rooting in winter! However, I had some bits left from my Christmas wreath so I thought it was worth a punt!

[piskieinboots]

.... so I thought it was worth a punt!

Always worth a punt in the world of gardening

[Two_Sheds]

I would like to propagate this sweetly fragnant plant.

hardwood cuttings, taken in autumn and inserted into a cold frame, is the way to go. Make a note

[jogette]

I just let the berries fall on the ground and they root very close to the parent plant. I've pulled loads of the little things out last year after I gave as many away as possible.
There are probably more under the plant so if anyone wants one, I'll go and see if there are any suitable for potting up. When they are potted up/transplanted they do take a while to get going, but then they're off and in no time you have a lovely little plant and those delicious scented flowers.

Mine are near the path to the front door so even in the depth of winter there is something lovely in the garden to welcome me home.

[goddess]

Thanks alot for that.I will try and do some cutting near autumn time,but iam also keen to try the seeds option although iam very inpatient !!Iam very surprised that the berries fall and it sprouts it self ,there is nothing underneath my plant.I suppose just to sow in a pot and leave in sheltered place or does it need to go in a propagater?

[jogette]

I was surprised how many had germinated under the plant, it is very dry and shaded by the leaves. Perhaps if you sowed the berries in a dryish soil mix and put somewhere quiet in the garden and left them, it would mirror the sort of conditions mine have had. Sorry I can't be of much help, but honestly the plant did it all by itself!

PS- I think the berries need to be very ripe though

[Jeanied]

Great tip, Jogette, I must go and check my plant when it's daylight! I keep forgetting it is there and it takes me by surprise when I catch the perfume. I have just the spot to plant a new baby one!

[Flummery]

Going to check mine for babies then - better than gooseberry bushes, this!

[goddess]

i found two vert tinny seedlings underneath mine,i don't know whether or not it's an offspring but will pot it up and see what happens.also read somwhere that seeds need to be sown un autumn.

[Flummery]

None under mine

[jogette]

I've found that it's best to wait until the seedlings are a reasonable size - otherwise they just seem to sit and sulk for ages.
Today I dug up 2 small plants hiding under the shrub - one is eight inches high and the other six inches (just shows how often I weed and tend that bit of the garden)

[goddess]

An update on this,i took 4 cuttings last month and put in heated propagator and already 2 cuttings have rooted.i forgot to use rooting powder and watering was erratic but it still rooted!so it must be easy.