Field Notes

Field Notes preserve evergreen knowledge, observations, references, and methods in a form that remains useful beyond the date it was written.

Black Willow Propagation

A practical observation about black willow cuttings, rooting water, and the moment an old pattern finally made sense.

Observation

  • Black willow cuttings were originally obtained by mistake after ordering weeping willow.
  • The trees have been grown for several years.
  • Experiments progressed naturally from growing seedlings, to rooting cuttings, to simple bonsai pruning.
  • Water used to root black willow cuttings appears to dramatically improve rooting success in other plants.
  • Lavender successfully rooted in the same water despite being an unexpected candidate.

Background

  • Intended plant: weeping willow.
  • Plant actually received: black willow.
  • Exact order date: uncertain.
  • Exact source/vendor: unknown.
  • Number of years grown: several years; exact count uncertain.

What Happened

  • Black willow cuttings were rooted in water.
  • The same water was later used with other plant cuttings.
  • Other plants appeared to root more successfully in that water.
  • Lavender rooted successfully in the same water.
  • Lavender was an unexpected rooting candidate in this context.

Working Explanation

  • Heidi O'Toole explained that black willow contains natural rooting compounds.
  • Heidi is the source of the practical insight connecting the observed rooting success to naturally occurring rooting compounds in black willow.
  • This explanation created the "head-slapping" moment where years of observation finally made sense.
  • This remains a working explanation based on practical observation.
  • No controlled experiment has been recorded yet.

Practical Takeaway

Water used for rooting black willow cuttings may be useful when attempting to root other plant cuttings.

This should be treated as a practical technique to observe further, not a proven universal method.

Future use should record plant species, timing, water age, cutting condition, and success rate.

Heidi O'Toole - source of the practical insight about black willow and natural rooting compounds.

Future Questions

  • What was the exact date or year the mistaken black willow order arrived?
  • What vendor or source supplied the original cuttings?
  • Which other plants rooted successfully in black willow water?
  • How long had the black willow cuttings been soaking before the water was reused?
  • Does water age affect the observed rooting success?
  • Would a side-by-side comparison with plain water show a meaningful difference?
  • What pruning notes or photographs already exist?