On January 9 and 10, 2010, with the moon in its descending phase during a flower day, it's the ideal weekend for taking dry wood cuttings from flowering and deciduous shrubs. (For future years, consult the lunar calendar.)
Select cuttings about 20 cm long and pencil-thick for best results. Make clean cuts with a sharp knife or grafter—avoid secateurs, as shown in the photo below.
For hollow-stemmed plants like forsythia, cut very close to the node where the pith is present.
Plant cuttings deeply in a soil and sand mix. I've found using cinder block holes simplifies "demoulding" next fall.
Dry wood cuttings made with secateurs—size unclear. Opt for a grafting knife instead.
Dry wood cuttings cut under a node.
Forsythia: hollow wood structure.
Forsythia: cut at the node with pith.
Dry wood cuttings kept in the shade in a potting soil/sand mix.
