Can You Grow Almonds from Cuttings?
Almonds are usually grown by grafting. Since almonds are most closely related to peaches, they are usually budded to them, but they can also be budded to plum or apricot rootstock as well. That said, since these fruiting trees can also be propagated via hardwood cuttings, it is natural to assume that rooting almond cuttings is possible.
Will Almond Cuttings Root in the Ground?
Almond cuttings will likely not root in the ground. It seems that while you can get hardwood cuttings to root, it is quite difficult. This is no doubt why most people propagate with seed or by using grafted cuttings rather than propagating almonds from hardwood cuttings.
How to Take Almond Cuttings
When rooting almond cuttings, take cuttings from healthy exterior shoots that are growing in full sun. Choose cuttings that appear strong and healthy with well-spaced internodes. Central stem or basal cuttings from last season’s grown will be most likely to root. Take the cutting from the tree when it is dormant in the fall. Cut a 10 to 12 inch (25-31 cm.) cutting from the almond. Be sure the cutting has two or three nice looking buds. Remove any leaves from the cutting. Dip the cut ends of the almond cuttings into rooting hormone. Plant the cutting in a soilless media which will allow it to be loose, well-draining, and well-aerated. Place the cutting with the cut end in the pre-moistened media down an inch (2.5 cm.) or so. Place a plastic bag over the container and place it in a 55 to 75 degrees F. (13-24 C.) indirectly lit area. Open the bag every day or so to check to see if the media is still moist and to circulate air. It may take some time for the cutting to show any root growth, if at all. In either case, I find that trying to propagate anything myself is a fun and rewarding experiment.
