The Eucalyptus tree is a native evergreen tree from Australia, and it is one of the oldest and tallest trees on the earth. It can grow to heights of 30 feet to over 200 feet tall. There are over 600 different species of the Eucalyptus. This tree is important to the Aborigines, as it has been used in traditional and ancient medicine. We often think of Eucalyptus when we have a cold. It is a product added to cough drops. But, did you know that it is also used in making other things like toilet paper or fine writing paper?
The Eucalyptus is a fast growing tree. When the wind blows, the leaves give off the scent of menthol cough drops. People use the leaves of the Eucalyptus in flower arrangements, and they provide a natural way to repel fleas and ticks. This tree also has large colorful flowers and fruits. It is hardy in the U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 7 through 11. You can grow your own Eucalyptus tree, but it can be tricky. Once you know the steps involved, your chances of success will improve greatly. The best time to take the cuttings is late spring or early summer.
Prepare Pots
Prepare some 4-inch pots. You will need one pot for each cutting you want to start. Cover the drainage holes with small rocks or a coffee filter. Fill the pots with potting soil. You can buy potting soil at any garden supply store, or make your own by combining equal amounts of compost, perlite, and peatmoss together. When filling the pots, leave a ½ inch of space between the soil and the top rim of the pot.
Fill a tub or other container with water. Set the pots inside and allow the soil to soak up the water until the soil is visibly wet. You can use an old dish tub or other container to put your pots in as long as it does not leak. Make sure that the water level is lower than the pot’s rim. After you see that the soil is moist, remove the pots and place them on a drainage rack to allow the excess water to drain away.
Gather Eucalyptus cuttings
Find a Eucalyptus tree. If the tree is not on your property, please ask for permission before you take any cuttings. Examine the tree to find the softwood. This means that when you bend the stems, they will not break or crack. They are pliable. Cut a 5 to 6-inch softwood stem right below the leaf node. Use a sterilized sharp knife or pruning shears to cut the stem. Remove all the leaves from the stem except for the top two or three leaves.
When you get home, wet the cut end of the stem under running water. Shake the end to remove the excess water and then dip the wet end into rooting hormone. Tap the end to remove the excess rooting hormone.
Form a hole with the blunt end of a pencil or a dibble in the center of the moist soil in the pot. Insert the end with rooting hormone into the planting hole. Firm the soil with your fingers to hold the shoot upright. Insert three thin rods or sticks into the pot. You’ll want the rods to be taller than the cutting.
Place the pot in a clear plastic bag. Close the plastic bag by either folding it closed or using a twist tie. You need to check and make sure that the leaves are not touching the plastic bag.
Find a Sunny Place
Place the pots in a sunny location. Do not put them in direct sunlight, because it will be too hot for the cuttings to root. Check the soil daily. You’ll want to keep the soil evenly moist, but do not allow it to dry out or remain soggy wet. When you notice new growth on the stem, this means the stem has rooted. This is the time to remove the plastic bag and the rods.
Continue to grow the Eucalyptus in the pots for another week or two. After that, you can transplant the rooted stems into the prepared garden site, or into a bigger pot.
