How To Propagate Boxwood

It is obvious that boxwood is not a cheap plant so knowing how to propagate it can be very useful and budget friendly. All you need is a little patience – it might take a year till your new plant starts to grow. 

During July/August choose some healthy boxwood twigs that are 10 to 15 cm long and don’t have any blooms on them. Remove almost all of the leaves, leaving just a few on the tip. Prepare the soil and make holes. Plant the twigs so that half of their length is in the soil. Cover the planter with foil. The soil should be moderately moist and when a root system develops on the twigs new leaves will start to show.

 

Important Tip: it is best to keep the new plant at the height of your hands. This way the pruning process will be much easier. Using proper tools will help you make clean cuts that will heal fast. If you don’t make a clean cut, fungi and other pests may inhabit your plant.

 

Extra Tip: Boxwood is an outdoor plant so it doesn’t require a warm spot for a successful propagation. Keep the planters with the new plants on your balcony, preferably in shade. You can also plant the young twigs directly into your garden. Just choose a nice shady, protected spot and plant the twigs in moist soil rich with limestone and clay.

How To Propagate Boxwood

Using Banana Skins As A Natural Fertilizer For Plants

Bananas are one of the most popular fruits out there that are widely consumed. They are delicious and healthy, packed with potassium and pectin, a form of fiber, they are high in antioxidants and can also be a good way to get magnesium and vitamins C and B6.

Bananas are known to reduce swelling, protect against developing type-2 diabetes, aid in weight loss, strengthen the nervous system and help with production of white blood cells, all due to the high level of vitamin B6 that bananas contain.

But bananas are not only good for you and your body, they are also good for your plants! Believe it or not most of the banana skins end up in the garbage bin after the bananas are being eaten. This is absolutely wrong! Especially if you have a garden with some lovely plants that need additional care. We recommend saving the skin next time you eat a banana – as a treat to your garden.

Bananas are a source of calcium, phosphor, potassium and magnesium and they obviously have a positive effect on our bodies, but here is how these minerals act on your soil and plants…

Potassium: This mineral will make your plant stronger and disease-resistant. It is especially beneficial for all varieties of ferns.

Phosphor: Phosphor is a powerful mineral that promotes the growth of fruits and flowers.

Calcium: It is the most important mineral for the soil as it is responsible for the oxygen flow.

So, how to use banana skins for a maximum benefit on your plants? Make a banana skin fertilizer which will provide your garden the much needed minerals. It is easy – just leave the banana skins to dry (don’t worry if they turn black) then grind it in the blender. Mix in some water in order to get a mixture similar to milkshake. Your plants will love it!

If you don’t have a blender just cut the skins into small pieces and dig them into the soil around the plant, or in the soil where you plan to plant something new. You can also store a bigger quantity of dried banana skins and then use them along some mulch for “lasagna” gardening.

 

Using Banana Skins As A Natural Fertilizer For Plants