Ask the RHS EXPERTS
Snips & cuts
Q How do I take semi-ripe cuttings for propagating my evergreen plants, and when is the best time to do it?
A Popular evergreen garden plants such as choisya, lavender, sage and rosemary are easily propagated until October.
Snip 8-10cm lengths of shoot, remove leaves from the lower half and insert up to the lowest leaves into pots or trays of a cutting medium of 50:50 multipurpose compost and coarse grit. Ideally, dip the ends of the cuttings in a rooting compound containing IBA.
Water, cover with plastic sheet or put in a clear plastic bag or cover in a light but not sunny place. Rooting might not occur until next June but, once roots have formed, gradually remove the polythene and, after two weeks, pot up the cuttings.
Every fortnight remove dead leaves and rotting material.
Wasp alert
Q I have a wasps’ nest in a bird box at the end of the garden. I’m tempted to just leave it, as it’s well out of the way, but will I have a plague of wasps next year?
A Queen wasps disperse at the end of summer and hibernate until spring. They then fly quite widely to find a nesting site such as a shed, airbrick or mouse hole. They probably won’t remain close to their current nest.
No-one knows why wasp numbers fluctuate from year to year, but the number of nests does seem to vary widely, with relatively few years of numerous wasps’ nests.
If wasps can be lived with, it’s best to put up with them, as they are important predators of garden pests and are themselves
