Is it too late to root cuttings?

[Vladimir]

I am in zone 5b and first frost date is Oct 13.

1. If I buy cuttings now, can I start rooting them now or should I wait wait until January?
2. Will cuttings taken now and properly stored be viable in January?

[JMF75]

If you root a cutting at this time be prepared to baby a tree over the winter. It can be done but I wouldn't do too many right now and just wait until January when you will have more varieties and closer to spring time.

[JMF75]

If you properly store cuttings they can stay viable for a long time. I've kept cuttings for almost a year and still was able to root them

[ieatfigs]

Too late. You would have to keep it indoors over winter. I started two here in 7b around this time last year. It rooted and grew out a bunch of leaves, but not big enough to overwinter in the garage. I just kept it in a south facing window. They went dormant without dropping their leaves. I guess my indoor temperature wasn't high enough (gets cold at night). In spring they started growing again.

If you aleady bought the cuttings, they're not dormant at this time of year, so you have to root it right away.

[BigJohnfromCT]

I really don't think it's ever too late to start cuttings IF you can care for them properly. That is, start them now but be prepared to bring them in doors during the winter and use the proper grow lights. Did this last year very successfully. Kept a few rooted cuttings in the basement under lights. If you've got the cuttings I say go for it. If the cutting you want are only available on a limited basis AND not to expensive, I say go for it. Good luck.

[ginamcd]

Whether you root now or wait till January is going to depend on the cuttings -- dormant left overs from last winter, lignified but not dormant, or green wood. Green needs to be rooted ASAP. Lignified but not dormant you may be able to store for some short period of time. Dormant leftovers from last winter will all depend on what conditions they were stored in.

Personally I would wait until December/January to buy cuttings. If started now, you'll have roots in September and need to up pot in October/November. That will not leave enough time for them to fill the nee container with roots and go dormant for storage.

[It Could use another day]

You can 100% root a cutting now if you protect it during the winter, they WILL go dormant but they usually have some green wood left at the end of the season.

[Vladimir]

Thank you everyone. I will wait to get cuttings in the fall/winter.