Flowering Maple Cuttings – More New Plants 🤭😂😉
Seriously, I am taking more Flowering Maple cuttings? I keep asking myself why I continue to propagate more plants. I have too many and not enough room and tables for the ones I have, but I keep making more. Is this an addiction? I think so.
But it is so much better than some other addictions one could have! For me, I feel that it’s therapeutic and provides stress relief. Propagating and tending to plants can be a calming and enjoyable activity.
So that is why, as I complain about having too many plants, I am creating more! And I am always willing to share with friends and family. My daughter’s house is packed full! Look how pretty this one table looks!
There is a short video. (Well, as short as I can condense it ) attached here. I dearly love the beauty of this plant and lost it for a while when my plants died. Guess I am making a lot of new plants this time to be sure one survives.
The Flowering Maple (Abutilon, Chinese Lantern, Parlor Maple ) is grown outdoors for the most part but can be a great houseplant. That name of Parlor Maple comes from Victorian times when it was grown indoors in the parlor. I love Victorian things so maybe that is what appeals to me.
This Abutilon likes warm weather and rich soil and a moist soil is good for partial sun areas, but needs about 3-4 hours of direct sun a day. I have mine in a sunny west window and under grow lights. (So far the one doing the best is the one in a sunny west window.)
When I have a few growing well, I want to test the temperature limits. It is listed as able to stand temps in the 20’s Fahrenheit. Below freezing? I will test that next fall on one of these cuttings that has been outside all year and it isn’t my last and only Abutilon.
Pruning Is Important For Flowering Maple
Pruning this plant is very important as it can easily get leggy and “ugly” looking if it is allowed to grow on its own. See how I had to prune mine after four long gangley limbs splayed out on each side. Here is where my cuttings come from.
If you keep them pinched and bushy, they will grow full and lush and bloom a lot more. Be sure to pinch off the blooms when spent.
Flowering Maple Cuttings Ready To Plant
I had taken some cuttings from my Flowering Maple (Abutilon) houseplant a few days ago and I see evidence that they are trying to grow underwater. So I feel that I should go ahead and get them into soil right away.
Materials You’ll Need:
- Healthy Flowering Maple plant
- Clean scissors or pruning shears
- Suitable pots or containers
- Potting soil mix
- Rooting hormone (optional)
- Poker to poke holes in the soil
We’ve been told that the best time to take cuttings is during the spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. But in my experience, I think it can be done at any time of the year.
I chose a clear glass bowl to plant my cuttings into today. As I have said before, I can look through and see the roots and see the color of the soil to judge whether it needs water or not.
No hormone powder this time because I think the plant cuttings root just about the same with or without it. In other words, I got all my supplies arranged and I was too lazy to get up and go get it. TBH
Propagation by cuttings can be a rewarding way to expand your collection of Flowering Maples. Remember that not all cuttings will succeed, so it’s a good idea to take multiple cuttings to increase your chances of success. Additionally, be patient, as it can take some time for the cuttings to establish and grow into mature plants.
As you see in the video, I have my cuttings ready in their “test tubes”. And I had previously prepped the bowl with soil and pressed it down gently so that I could see the holes that I had poked, ready for the cutting.
I am putting these all together for now and will see how they do. Perhaps in the spring when all are growing well, I will separate them into a few containers. Perhaps one or more will go outside to grow there and I am sure it will do well.
In warmer climates/zones, the Flowering Maple can grow into a shrub or small tree. That would be awesome. Do you have one? Maybe I can also put one of these cuttings into the ground for an experimental shrub here in Ohio.