As an avid gardener and trumpet vine enthusiast, I’m always looking for ways to propagate these stunning climbers With their showy, trumpet-shaped flowers and rapid growth habit, trumpet vines (Campsis radicans) make excellent additions to landscapes and gardens But did you know propagating trumpet vines is actually quite simple?
In this detailed guide I’ll walk through the various methods for propagating trumpet vines successfully. Whether you want to fill your yard with more of these beauties or share plant divisions with fellow gardeners learning how to propagate trumpet vine will ensure gardening success!
An Overview of Trumpet Vines
Before jumping into propagation methods, let’s briefly go over some key facts about trumpet vines. Native to eastern North America, trumpet vines are deciduous woody vines that can grow up to 40 feet tall. They feature green, pinnately compound leaves and produce vibrant orange to red trumpet-shaped flowers from summer through early fall.
While trumpet vines prefer full sun and well-drained soil, they are actually quite adaptable and make excellent choices for covering fences, trellises, and arbors Their fast growth rate also makes them ideal for quickly creating privacy screens and hiding unwanted views
But as stunning as trumpet vines are, their aggressive spreading habit also makes them potentially invasive. That’s why learning how to properly propagate and contain trumpet vines is so crucial. By using the simple techniques below, we can enjoy their beauty responsibly in our gardens.
Propagating Trumpet Vines from Seeds
Propagating trumpet vines from seeds is a great way to generate new plants identical to the parent. Here are some tips for success:
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Collect seeds in fall – Allow trumpet vine seed pods to mature and dry on the plant. They will turn brown and split open when ready. Carefully collect the flat, winged seeds inside.
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Cold stratify seeds – Trumpet vine seeds require cold stratification to break dormancy. Place seeds in moist peat moss or sand, store for 3-4 months at 40°F.
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Sow seeds in spring – In early spring after stratifying, sow seeds 1⁄4-1⁄2 inch deep in pots or directly in the ground. Keep soil moist until germination.
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Transplant seedlings – Thin or transplant seedlings when they reach 6 inches tall. Grow on for a season before placing trumpet vines in their permanent spot.
With proper harvesting, storage, and sowing, propagating trumpet vines from seeds is a gratifying way to generate free plants. Just be sure to allow enough time for cold stratification so seeds germinate well.
Rooting Trumpet Vine Cuttings for Fast Propagation
While growing trumpet vines from seeds takes patience, propagating from cuttings is a faster option. Here are some simple steps:
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Take 6-8 inch cuttings in summer when stems are pliable but firm. Make cuts just below leaf nodes using sterile shears.
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Treat with rooting hormone (optional) – Dip the cut end in powder or liquid rooting hormone to encourage root growth.
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Stick cuttings in potting mix – Plant cuttings 3-4 inches deep in sterile potting soil. Water well and keep consistently moist.
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Provide warmth and humidity – Place trumpet vine cuttings in bright shade with temps around 70°F. Covering with plastic helps retain moisture and humidity.
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Monitor for rooting – Check for root development in 4-6 weeks. Gently tug to test for resistance before transplanting.
Taking trumpet vine cuttings in summer when plants are actively growing allows for quicker root formation. With bottom heat and humidity, you can generate vigorous vines to plant in as little as 1-2 months!
Propagating Trumpet Vines by Layering Stems
Want to propagate trumpet vines without cutting or separating parts? Try layering! Here’s how this simple technique works:
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Select a low-growing stem – Choose a flexible, low-hanging stem on the trumpet vine that can reach the ground.
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Wound the stem – Use a knife to make a shallow 2-inch cut on the underside of the stem.
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Bury the wounded area – Bend the stem down to soil level and bury the wounded section 2-4 inches deep.
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Secure the stem – Use a wire, rocks or metal pins to keep the layered area pressed firmly in the soil.
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Allow roots to develop – Keep the soil moist. In 4-8 weeks, new roots should emerge at the wound site.
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Sever the layer – After an additional 4-6 weeks, cut the newly rooted stem from the parent plant. Transplant immediately.
With layering, the trumpet vine propagates itself right where you want it! It’s less work than other methods and leverages the plant’s natural growth patterns.
Dividing Trumpet Vine Roots and Runners
Mature trumpet vines often produce suckers and spreading roots, allowing easy propagation by division. Here are some tips:
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Pick a cool season – Optimal times to divide trumpet vines are early spring before growth resumes or fall after leaves drop. Avoid mid-summer.
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Water the plant well – Make sure soil is moistened a day or two before attempting division. This makes digging easier.
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Excavate the root mass – Carefully dig around and under the trumpet vine to loosen the root ball.
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Disconnect and replant divisions – Gently tease apart root sections or runners that have visible stems or buds. Replant immediately.
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Care for new plants – Keep divisions well-watered as roots re-establish. Staking helps support new growth. Mulch to retain moisture.
Dividing overgrown trumpet vines controls their spread while generating brand new plants. Just be sure not to damage roots and provide ample post-transplant care.
Where to Plant Your Propagated Trumpet Vines
Once you’ve successfully propagated trumpet vines, it’s time to consider where to plant them in your landscape. Here are some ideal spots:
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Fences or trellises – The vining stems of trumpet vines love climbing vertical structures. Provide sturdy support.
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Arbors or pergolas – Allow trumpet vines to create stunning displays blooming overhead.
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Banks and slopes – The dense roots help control erosion on inclines.
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Around decks or patios – Enjoy their summer flowers and fall color up close!
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Near outbuildings – Trumpet vines create living walls that camouflage sheds, garages, etc.
With the right placement, propagated trumpet vines will thrive while enhancing your outdoor living space. Avoid planting near roof lines or foundations unless properly managed.
Propagate with Care! Containing Trumpet Vines
While I adore growing trumpet vines, it’s vital to propagate and plant them responsibly. Their vigorous spreading habits must be properly contained through:
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Site selection – Avoid planting trumpet vines too close to neighboring plants or structures. Leave room for future growth.
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Yearly pruning – Keep trumpet vines in bounds by pruning back long shoots after flowering.
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Judicious division – Only propagate trumpet vines when you have room for expansive growth.
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Barriers – Install subsurface barriers around the root zone to deter spreading.
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Removal if needed – Don’t be afraid to remove trumpet vines that start encroaching on unwanted areas.
With some careful planning and routine care, trumpet vines make excellent additions to the garden. Just be sure to propagate and manage them responsibly.
Achieve Gardening Success by Learning How to Propagate Trumpet Vines
As you can see, propagating trumpet vines is easy and rewarding using a variety of techniques like planting seeds, taking cuttings, layering stems, or dividing roots. With this simple know-how, you’ll have all the trumpet vines you’ll ever need to fulfill garden visions and share with other plant enthusiasts.
Just be sure to provide the right growing conditions for your propagated vines. And always focus on responsible containment practices to keep trumpet vines from spreading out of control. By propagating and managing trumpet vines carefully, you can enjoy years of beauty from these incredible climbers.
So don’t be afraid to get propagating! With this complete guide, you have all the information needed to successfully start new trumpet vines any season of the year. Get those shovels, shears, and propagation supplies ready…your trumpet vine bounty awaits!
How to Root Trumpet Vine Cuttings
Propagating trumpet vine cuttings can be done any time of year, as the vines root readily. However, starting trumpet vine cuttings tends to be most effective in spring when stems are tender and flexible. Prepare a planting container ahead of time. A small pot is fine for one or two cuttings, or use a larger container or a planting tray if you plan to start several cuttings. Be sure the container has at least one drainage hole. Fill the container with clean, coarse sand. Water well, then set the pot aside to drain until the sand is evenly moist but not dripping wet. Cut a 4 to 6-inch (10 to 15 cm.) stem with several sets of leaves. Make the cutting at an angle, using a sterile knife or razor blade. Remove the lower leaves, with one or two sets of leaves remaining intact at the top of the cutting. Dip the bottom of the stem in rooting hormone, then plant the stem in the moist potting mix. Place the container in bright but indirect light and normal room temperatures. Water as needed to keep the potting mix consistently moist, but never soggy. After about a month, tug gently on the cutting to check for roots. If the cutting has rooted, you’ll feel a slight resistance to your tug. If the cutting offers no resistance, wait another month or so, and then try again. When the cutting has successfully rooted, you can transplant it to its permanent spot in the garden. If the weather is chilly or you aren’t ready to plant your trumpet vine, transplant the vine to a 6-inch (15 cm.) pot filled with regular commercial potting soil and allow it to mature until you’re ready to plant it outdoors.
How to Propagate Trumpet Vine from Seed
Trumpet vine will readily self-seed, but you can also collect and plant the seeds in the garden yourself. You can collect seeds once they mature, usually when the seedpods begin to turn brown and split open. You can then either plant them in pots or directly in the garden (about ¼ to ½ inch (0.5 to 1.5 cm.) deep) in fall, allowing the seeds to overwinter and sprout in spring, or you can store the seeds until spring and sow them at that time.
Growing Trumpet Vine From Cuttings: Orange Trumpet Vine Propagation
FAQ
Can you grow trumpet vines from a cutting?
Also appropriately known as hummingbird vine, trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) is a vigorous plant that produces lush vines and masses of showy, trumpet-shaped blooms from midsummer to the first frost in autumn. If you have access to a healthy plant, you can easily start a new trumpet vine from cuttings.
How invasive is trumpet vine?
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Rapid Growth and Spread:Trumpet vine is a fast-growing, woody vine that can climb trees and structures quickly, reaching heights of 40 feet or more.
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Invasive Nature:It spreads aggressively through aerial rootlets that attach to surfaces and underground runners that can sprout new plants far from the original vine.
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Potential Damage:The aerial rootlets can damage paint, siding, and other structures, and the weight of the vine can harm trees.
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USDA Listing:The USDA lists trumpet vine as a noxious weed in some areas.
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Control:Controlling trumpet vine can be difficult, but methods include pruning, mechanical removal, and herbicide application.
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Considerations:If you are considering planting trumpet vine, it’s best to plant it in a confined area where it can’t escape and train it to climb a trellis or arbor.
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Alternatives:Consider other vines that are less aggressive, such as Crossvine or Confederate Jasmine.
How do you propagate angel trumpet vines?
The best way to propagate an angel’s trumpet is through cuttings—Select cuttings in the spring during the morning before it receives too much sun. Here is how to propagate from cuttings: Cut new stems sprouting from the plant’s base, or save older branches when pruning the angel’s trumpet.
How to propagate trumpet vine?
The trumpet vine is suitable for warm climates. You can propagate trumpet vine cuttings, semi-hardwood cuttings during summer. The propagation of trumpet vine is similar to propagating blueberries, propagating bougainvillea, hydrangea propagation, growing jasmine from cuttings and growing rubber tree plant from cuttings.
Can you grow trumpet vine from cuttings?
A simple guide for how to propagate trumpet vine or flame vine from cuttings. You can even grow an orange trumpet vine (Ticoma vine) in containers. I have been admiring beautiful exotic dense flowers of trumpet vine or creeper growing wildly on fences, walls, carport or buildings since last 2 decades.
How do you root a trumpet vine?
Water well and leave the pot for some time to drain excess water. Rooted Trumpet vine Cut the stem just below a node with a sharp knife and remove the foliage from the bottom one-third of the vine stem. Scrap the bottom of the stem a bit and dip it in rooting hormone powder. Shake the stem to remove excess powder.