What is the best way to propagate a Bauhinia blakeana. including
rooting medium and root stimulating compound, i.e. powder, gel, liquid?

I just purchased 2 young ones, and don't want to waste any
potential new starts when I trim them to shape them.

I have never grown or propagated this plant but found a good article. Look at 2.1 Cuttings.
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.ph...

I do most of my cuttings in a Forsyth Pot using Vermiculite and the above article says that Vermiculite gives good results.

Hi Greene,
Thanks for the reference and tips!
I skimmed through the data, and think this is the most important to know:

The species that originated B. x blakeana and the hybrid itself are deciduous plants, so they lose their leaves during winter that, in the Southern Hemisphere, happens from June to September. These plants then restart their vegetative growth at the end of this period which, according to Hartmann et al. (2002), would be the ideal time for the cuttings of deciduous species...

The Bauhinia x blakeana hybrid can be propagated by semi-woody cuttings collected in spring, without IBA application, or in summer, with the application of 3,000 mg L-1 of IBA. Cuttings collected in autumn or winter showed very low survival and rooting rates, regardless the IBA concentration, and were considered impracticable for the multiplication of this species.

I'll try some cuttings, and layering now, though new growth in Spring sounds like the best time with no IBA necessary. IBA only marginally
helps in Summer.
I didn't know about a Forsythe Pot, but will try it out. I'll use perlite & peatmoss (5:1) that I have already mixed.

Very helpful!

ps-will report results in 2 months.

Perlite does not hold water and peat moss is difficult to re-wet once it dries out. Please consider trying the Vermiculite, straight Vermiculite. I think you will be pleased with the results.

Please add photos so we can see the progress.

greene said:Perlite does not hold water and peat moss is difficult to re-wet once it dries out. Please consider trying the Vermiculite, straight Vermiculite. I think you will be pleased with the results.

Please add photos so we can see the progress.

I'll get a small bag of vermiculite and try it side-by-side and see whatever works best.

Good idea.
I started with just one bag; now I buy the huge bags. If you can find the horticultural type medium or coarse grade of Vermiculite it is better than the fine/small grade, but sometimes we have to buy whatever is available locally.

In some other countries where Vermiculite is not readily available they use rice hulls or coco fibers in the same way.

Here is a good link to show the Forsyth Pot method.
https://www.extension.umn.edu/...

Amazon has lots of choices for vermiculite.

I also have coco fiber......will add that to the trial.

EscondidoCal said:Amazon has lots of choices for vermiculite.

I also have coco fiber......will add that to the trial.

EscondidoCal - Good evening! I came across your post while researching how to propagate an orchid tree cutting. My neighbor has one, and I am going to ask if I can take a snippet of it. I also see you are in Escondido, as am I!! How were the outcomes of your prop method for these? Curious, his bloomed several months ago and his landscaper just trimmed it. It's got nice baby green leaves. Any tips would be awesome!

@Bhavens,

Hi, I wasn't successful with the layer method, and didn't try a cutting.
The potted plant has been blooming for the past month at least.
Better than the one in the ground, even though it gets less light.

If I was going to propagate it by cuttings, I would try dipping the base
in a rooting hormone, and use 1:1 perlite & peat moss, and put it in
greenhouse. I'd try it with or without the hormone. I use a powder,
and also Dip n Grow, which is a liquid. Just experiment.

Good luck.

BTW, would you like some iris plants? They grow 7 feet tall in water,
and have yellow flowers in the spring. I have to thin them out, and
hate to throw out viable plants.

EscondidoCal said:@Bhavens,

Hi, I wasn't successful with the layer method, and didn't try a cutting.
The potted plant has been blooming for the past month at least.
Better than the one in the ground, even though it gets less light.

If I was going to propagate it by cuttings, I would try dipping the base
in a rooting hormone, and use 1:1 perlite & peat moss, and put it in
greenhouse. I'd try it with or without the hormone. I use a powder,
and also Dip n Grow, which is a liquid. Just experiment.

Good luck.

BTW, would you like some iris plants? They grow 7 feet tall in water,
and have yellow flowers in the spring. I have to thin them out, and
hate to throw out viable plants.

Thanks for the tips! I'm gonna try cutting in the 1:1! Thanks for the iris offer, I have one though! I'll keep you posted on my cutting
Thanks again

Good luck!