Willow Branches

[McNally Family Rabbitry]

I've decided to start up a crop of corkscrew willow to grow as a fodder crop for the rabbits. There was a tornado that went through the area last month and a lady was giving away some willow branches. We cut them all up into about 30 6" cuttings and have them soaking in water. After a week they are just starting to root. I plan to pot them and grow them indoors over the winter and then transplant them outside near the rabbitry in spring. I'll post some pictures and info on our progress along the way. Any one else feeding willow have and tips or advice?

 

[judymac]

Any one else feeding willow have and tips or advice?

Our biggest problem with willow here is the local deer population. They think that willow is candy--young plants may need protected from them until they get a good headstart.

 

[McNally Family Rabbitry]

We are in town so deer are not a concern. Here are a couple pics of the cuttings today

 

[McNally Family Rabbitry]

Have moved a bunch of them into soil now and they have started producing new branches
Here is a photo, don't mind the other herbs to the left (Legal to grow in my area)

 

[judymac]

They look like you're doing a fine job raising them. Congrats.

 

[McNally Family Rabbitry]

We now have 25 cuttings planted and under the light for the winter. Not sure we are going to need this many but it's all good. We can give some away in the spring if it's too much

 

[Preitler]

That definitly seems to work better than my method - planting 3ft long pieces to 2/3 in the ground in early winter, has a success rate of maybe 25%.

On the other hand, everything I try to get through the winter indoors eventually dies (chili, sweet potato), it's just too cold in here, they keep me in suspense until february and then croak.

I feed a lot of willow, there are different kinds growing along the brook that need cutting anyway, and they sure taste different, my rabbits have favorits and some they don't like that much. It seems that they prefer 2nd year branches in winter, but will eat all leaves.

Some protection might be a good idea, also to keep them from being mowed along with the grass