Jackie asks: I have a healthy pua keni keni plant that I love. I have not seen it produce any seed. Can I propagate more plants from cuttings?
Jackie asks: I have a healthy pua keni keni plant that I love. I have not seen it produce any seed. Can I propagate more plants from cuttings?
Tropical Gardener answer: Actually, the best way to propagate pua keni keni is by air layering. Though you can try some cuttings, the success rate is usually quite low. Sometimes less than 20 percent of them will take. You’ll have a somewhat better chance if you dip the soft wood cuttings in rooting hormone and place them in a 50-50 perlite and vermiculite mixture. Misting them once or twice a day will help but it still might take a few months before they show signs of taking.
Brian Lievens has an educational video on air layering posted at hawaiitropicalfruitgrowers.org. Check it out. Lievens does not use plastic wrap under the foil wrap, but I recommend not skipping that step. Here is a brief step by step using my technique.
1. Select a lower branch that is preferably shaded by upper branches for your new plant. It should be between 12-18 inches long and between ½ and 1 inch in diameter.
2. Clean a sharp exacto knife with alcohol and let it dry before making the cuts.
3. Select a spot on the branch where you want it to develop roots about 6 inches or more from the trunk. Girdle the branch with your sharp knife through the bark and cambium layer at two points about 2 inches apart then peel off the bark and cambium between your cuts making sure you cut down to the wood.
4. If you are using liquid rooting compound soak the sphagnum moss in the compound diluted as per instructions. With rooting powder, dampen the wound and paint it with the powder. Wrap the wound with damp (not wet) sphagnum moss and use plastic wrap to hold it in place and help retain moisture.
5. Wrap it again in aluminum foil to keep out sunlight and help retain the inner dampness. You can skip the plastic if the branch is well shaded and the surrounding climate is not too dry or hot.
6. Crimp the ends of the wrapping material to the branch and tie with landscaping tape to hold it.
7. Then wait. It can take months. You can tell if the plant is rooting by taking a careful peek or feeling the wrap. If it feels somewhat hard, the roots are probably growing.
8. Once the branch has rooted you can cut it from the “mother” plant below the roots. Remove the wrap(s) and plant it in potting soil leaving the sphagnum moss in place. You may want to keep the potted plant in partial shade for a few months to “harden off” before transplanting it into the ground.
While you are at it, you might want to do a few cuttings and several air layers on your “mother” to be sure you get a few new plants. Good luck.
Some questions that appear here were originally directed to Kona’s Certified Master Gardeners. You may contact them with questions at konamg@ctahr.hawaii.edu.
Diana Duff is a plant adviser, educator and consultant living on an organic farm in Captain Cook.
Gardening Events
Wednesday: “2 Workshops on Little Fire Ants” morning session 10 a.m. to noon; afternoon session 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Cooperative Extension Service office in Kainaliu. Heather Forester of Hawaii Ant Lab will teach about LFA management. Participants will get a free LFA sampling kit. If you suspect LFA on your property, bring samples that are dead and have been frozen for two days. Registration is required by Monday, Aug. 22. Contact Gina at 322-4892 or at ginab@hawaii.edu.
Thursday: “Hawaii Farmer’s Union membership meeting” starting at 5 pm at Steve Sakala’s Honaunau Farm. Sakala will discuss his regenerative agriculture practices during a farm tour. Pot luck pupu feast follows. BYO utensils and plates to this zero waste event. Open to the public. Contact Steve at 756-7945 or sustainablesakala@gmail.com for directions to the farm.
Saturday: “Work Day at Amy Greenwell Garden” from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meet at the Garden Visitor Center across from the Manago Hotel in Captain Cook. Volunteers will be able to help with garden maintenance and are invited to bring a brown bag lunch. Call Peter at 323-3318 for more information.
Farmer Direct Markets
Wednesday: “Hooulu Farmers Market,” 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sheraton Kona Resort
Wednesday: “Sunset Farmers Market,” 2 p.m. to sunset at the north makai corner of the Kmart parking lot.
Saturday: “Keauhou Farmers Market,” 8 a.m. to noon at Keauhou Shopping Center
“Kamuela Farmer’s Market,” 7 a.m. to noon at Pukalani Stables
Sunday: “South Kona Green Market,” 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Amy Greenwell Garden in Captain Cook
Tuesday through Saturday: “U-Pick greens and produce” 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tropical Edibles Nursery, Captain Cook.
Plant Advice Lines
Anytime: konamg@ctahr.hawaii.edu
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9 a.m. to noon at UH-CES in Kainaliu, 322-4892
Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays: 9 a.m. to noon at UHCES at Komohana in Hilo 981-5199 or himga@hawaii.edu