A pyracantha is an ideal plant to make a pyracantha cutting.
It is a flowering shrub with berries in the winter, it is thorny and makes an ideal hedge.
It is a great plant that that is easy to trained up a wall or fence.
You can take a cutting, the best time is late May but you can also take them any time in the summer up until October.
You should make a diagonal cutting from about 6 inches from the tip of a branch, just below where a leaf is attached to the branch.
Strip the the lower half of leaves, dip the cut end in to rooting powder to encourage root growth.
Place the cuttings in some compost, firming in around the stem. Give them a good watering.
Store the new cuttings somewhere light, avoiding direct sunlight, such as a shed or coldframe. Ensure that it is not in direct sunlight. Ensure compost stays moist.
Roots will start to grow in about 10 weeks but you should not plant them until the following spring and the plant looks strong.
The plantlings will require plenty of water for the first season and care should be taken the next year.
Following the first year the pyracantha cuttings will not require any special watering.
If you are having difficulties getting the pyracantha cutting to grow roots then try the heeling cutting technique to improve the chances.
Prune the shrub to the shape you require, cutting the lower branches to gain height or the top to spread lower.
To train pyracanthas up walls or fences then attach to the surface and tie the branches back whilst still flexible.
Pyracantha branches thicken quickly so tie back and/or prune regularly.
