HOW TO MAKE WILLOW WATER

In early spring, cut a large handful of willow twig tips from any willow species (Salix) to 10cm long, ensuring they have green or yellow bark. they should be of no greater diameter than a pencil. use the greenest, newest twig tips on the tree, as these have the highest amounts of iba.

Remove all the leaves so you are left with springy shoots.

Cut the twigs into 2cm lengths.

Place the chopped willow twigs in a glass or metal container and cover with boiling water, just like making tea, and allow the ‘tea’ to stand for several days.

Pour the liquid through a strainer or sieve and discard the twigs. do not be alarmed if it smells a little unpleasant; this is for plants to drink, not you. the liquid, which resembles weak tea, is now ready to use for rooting cuttings. it will keep in the refrigerator for up to two months in a jar with a tightfitting lid.

Label the jar clearly with the date you brewed it up and the ‘used by’ date, which is two months from the date it was made.

TO USE

Pour willow water into a small jar until it’s 2–3cm deep and add in cuttings as you would flowers in a vase, leaving them there to soak overnight so they take up the plant rooting hormone. Carefully plant cuttings into potting mixture as you would with any others.

It is also recommended to apply willow water around newly planted shrubs or trees to boost their root growth in the spring.