When I pruned my juniperus chinensis, I routinely stuck some of the cut off branches into a pot, wondering if they would grow.
Some didn't, some did. This one is now in its second year. It were two straight sticks, and as everything has been repotted, pruned, and, where necessary, wired, I don't have much to do at the moment. So, I thought I'd do a little wiring excercise. Removed unneeded 'branches', wired and shaped the plant and the result is... kinda cute.

Not that I'd call this a bonsai. I bet I could sell it as one though

Nice , I've done something similar 2 years ago but it's going for a cascade ( juniper squamata) it has developed a very nice nebari tho I'll post a pic if you want

Enaisio wrote:

Nice , I've done something similar 2 years ago but it's going for a cascade ( juniper squamata) it has developed a very nice nebari tho I'll post a pic if you want

But ofcourse I want!

So, man, you say you can stick cutting directly in soil and it would grow?

spacewood wrote:

So, man, you say you can stick cutting directly in soil and it would grow?

Yep, in this case it did. They were just cut off branches from my ch inese juniper. I did not prepare them, just stuck 'm in a pot.
This won't always work though, several of these sticks just turned brown and died.

Have you did any preparation before you stick em? I have a nice old pear in my garden which I want to try this way.

spacewood wrote:

Have you did any preparation before you stick em?

Auk wrote:

I did not prepare them

But note this concerns a juniper and that I planted quite a few cuttings. A cut off branch will stay fresh and green for quite some time.
For pears it will probably not be so easy.

Saw a post today in facebook where a guy puts cutting in water only. It was said though that roots born in water are too fragile so he should put the cutting in soil and put pot in water tray? Your take on this?

spacewood wrote:

Saw a post today in facebook where a guy puts cutting in water only. It was said though that roots born in water are too fragile so he should put the cutting in soil and put pot in water tray? Your take on this?

So called 'water roots'. They grow more quickly, but are more fragile. It may work if you are very careful when potting them.
The juniper cuttings - they were really just in a pot and were watered like my trees. No special care.

I'd look up per species what the best way of propagating via cuttings is.

Thanks.