we cant shed much light.. w/o knowing what kind of shrubs you are thinking about

that is because 'shrub' is a common term.. which means many things .. to many people ....

ken

Let's talk about shrubs in general. How do you multiply shrubs?

buy them ...

root them ...

graft them ....

i do believe that there are masters courses on the subject in the leading hort colleges ....

i just am having a hard time understanding why you want us to shotgun you a thesis on plant propagation... when search engines like google are available ... see link .. the Dirr manual.. being a step beyond the masters thesis.. being the doctoral presentation ....

its not the general question that is bothering me.. its that the topic .. being so broad ... really has no answer ...

so how can you bring the general thesis down to a manageable question??? [see the ps:]

i realize this might sound crankly ... that is not my intent .... but i am just trying to simplify the request for knowledge ...

ken

ps: e.g. forsythia can be cut at a 45 degree angle and rooted in water or moist media .. or can be purchased for about 5 bucks .... grafting would be a waste of money ... [or a cutting from a neighbors bush stuck in the ground and watered will probably root]

Here is a link that might be useful: link

Propagation is just the creating of new plants and there are various methods of propagation - starting from seed, cuttings, layering, grafting, dividing, tissue culture, etc. For the home gardener, cuttings from woody plants (shrubs) may be the easiest and most rewarding process, although many shrubs will layer or produce root offshoots than can be separated from the mother plant to create another plant(s). Different types of shrubs respond to cuttings and the proper timing of making cuttings differently, so it is important to read up on the best methods for that specific type of plant. And with perennials, division is one of the easiest methods of creating new plants but again, timing can be critical so read up on the plant before attempting.

There is a plant propagation forum on GW that may be helpful. But I would urge you to find and read Making More Plants, by Ken Druse, as being one of the best texts on plant propagation for the average home gardener.

Here is a link that might be useful: GW Plant Propagation forum