- 1). Take cuttings from a healthy arborvitae in late fall or early winter. Choose a stem that isn't actively growing. It should have begun to harden and not bend easily.
- 2). Cut a long stem with a sharp knife or pruners, then cut the stem into 4- to 6-inch pieces. Remove the foliage from the bottom third to half of each stem.
- 3). Fill a pot or planting tray with potting medium, which can be sand or a mixture of half peat moss and half sand. Dampen the potting medium so it's wet clear through, but not dripping.
- 4). Dip the bottom of each arborvitae cutting in rooting hormone, then plant the cutting in the potting medium. You can put several cuttings in one pot or tray, but space them apart so that they don't touch.
- 5). Cover the pot or tray with clear plastic, and put it in indirect light. Never place the pot or tray in a sunny window. The heat will be magnified by the plastic and can burn the cutting. Check the soil every day, and if it's dry to the touch, mist it lightly. Don't overdo the moisture. Too much water can cause the arborvitae cuttings to rot.
- 6). Remove the plastic when the cuttings have rooted, and transplant each cutting to its own small planting container. Keep them in indirect light, and continue to keep the soil moist. When the weather warms up in the spring, the arborvitae seedlings can be moved outdoors.
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