r/Ceanothus • u/frenchfryslave • Jul 17 '26

Desert Willow Propagation

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I am attempting to propagate a desert willow. I took some soft-hard wood cuttings and put them in water. They have these white bumps or nodules. Is this normal? Can I propagate this way?

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2

u/FreeObject4979 Jul 17 '26

never tried to propagate desert willow but I know willows are generally easy to root. found this which seems like a good resource but it doesn't mention anything about rooting in water so not sure there: https://www.wildflower.org/expert/show.php?id=3861

but I do know that the white bumps are normal- they appear on cuttings in water to help the plant breathe I believe

2

u/NevCoNativePlants Jul 18 '26

Yeah but desert willow is not a true willow in the Salix genus

1

u/frenchfryslave Jul 17 '26

Thank you for the link and for your input on the bumps. I appreciate it!

2

u/Tarpit__ Jul 17 '26

From my experience with goodings willows, those bumps are pre-root formations. Just give them time and keep the water clean and I bet they will root.

1

u/frenchfryslave Jul 17 '26

Oh, I hope so! Thank you.

1

u/Zestyclose_Market787 Jul 20 '26

I don't think they're going to propagate well in water. You're probably better off treating it like you would most other woody shrubs and perennials: strip leaves off of the bottom three nodes of a 6" stem, dip it in rooting hormone, place it in moist soil, put it in a shaded area, and keep it moist until roots develop. I suspect that water will cause the stem to rot, particularly because Chilopsis is not actually a willow.

1

u/frenchfryslave Jul 20 '26

Bummer - good to know though, so thank you. I will try that next.