I have been trying to propagate Murrayas’ for 4 years now and have been very unsuccessful (less than 10% success) despite all the published data suggesting I am going about things correctly. My cuttings stay very healthy looking for up to 12 months but do not develop any roots before they eventually wither. I am obviously missing an important part of their processing and ask if you have any ideas off the beaten pathway that can tell me what I am doing wrong.
Unfortunately, this requires much trial and error. The most important things that cause cuttings to fail will be soil that is too moist, has too much nutrients in it, or too chilly.
Soil should be a seedling starting mix, or otherwise nutrientless mix. Too much nutrients in soil will prevent root formation.
Soil moisture is very important! The soil should NOT be wet, or dry. It should only be very slightly moist and remain that way as consistently as possible. A humidity dome will be helpful here, as long as your soil is not over moist.
Low humidity will cause cuttings to fail. A dome will, also, help this.
Temperatures in the upper 70's to mid 80's will be ideal for rooting. If the rooting area is not as warm as it needs to be, then a heating pad may be necessary.
Finally, rooting hormone will be another thing that will help here. There are many kinds, including honey.
Here are some articles that will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/propagation/cuttings/root-stimulating-hormone.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/projects/rooting-plant-cuttings.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/vinegar-rooting-hormone.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/propagation/cuttings/natural-rooting-methods.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/projects/making-willow-water.htm
Hello. We inherited this philadelphus when we moved in, and it is just beautiful in June when it flowers. I would like to plant another, but am not sure which type it is, I 'think' it is just the normal virginal variety, but the stems are very straight and erect so I wanted to be sure, as we want one exactly the same. I trim it to look more like a tree than a bush, taking off the lower stems. It stands about 3-3.5m high with pure white flowers when they bloom. Any help is greatly appreciated, thank you :)
Unfortunately, pinning down exact cultivars of a plant is near impossible without knowing it beforehand.
This is a Genus of about 60 species, most of which resemble each other very closely.
The best that I could suggest is to measure the height of your existing shrub, and find a cultivar that matches that mature height on the upper end. This will ensure that they have a similar look and that one does not grow far taller than the other.
Here is an article to help you with their care:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/mock-orange/mock-orange-bushes.htm
this is a new plant. I never had mock orange before
My research shows peeling bark is characteristic of mock orange. Scrape off some of the peeling bark and see if you have green underneath. If you do, it is OK. If not, you may want to take a sample to your local nursery or extension service for further consideration.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/mock-orange/mock-orange-bushes.htm
I have a beauty bush my mother planted over 50 years ago. I don’t remember when but for quite awhile I also have a mock orange, which was never planted, intertwined with the beauty bush. It’s been this way for years and they both bloom. But I love the beauty bush and I want to know if one will ultimately harm the other.
I think that, ultimately, one will win out over the other. Probably, the younger specimen will out-compete the older at some point.
If you choose to keep one or the other, remove the one you intend to destroy very carefully.
This article will offer information:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/weed-trees.htm
It flowered the first year I moved in. Then stopped. 2yrs ago it had a big infestation and I cut off all branches that were affected and sprayed the remaining. There is no sign of it now but it doesn't flower.
Part of the reason could be the timing of when you cut off those branches. Mock orange should be pruned right after flowering to prevent cutting off next year's blooms.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/mock-orange/no-flowers-on-mock-orange.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/mock-orange/mock-orange-pruning.htm
Here are more possibilities:
Four white petals with yellow centres
That is a Mock Orange! This article will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/mock-orange/mock-orange-bushes.htm
You have an article about mock orange not blossoming, recommending that pruning should be taking place just after the flowers die to be able to come up next year. Since my mock orange is not blossoming, how do I know when to prune it in order to make the flowers return?
First, try to get your shrub to bloom, then worry about pruning it. I wouldn't prune it this year if you don't have any flowers. That article is just saying some people prune late in the year, thereby cutting off the buds forming for the next year.
This article should help determine what's wrong:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/mock-orange/no-flowers-on-mock-orange.htm
Check your fertilization (needs high phosphorous) and amount of light it receives.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/mock-orange/mock-orange-bushes.htm