Semi ripe cuttings in mid summer, keep under glass for the first winter, plant out the following year in late spring if the plants are large enough.

As B says, they're slow to get away, but they are very much worth it. One of my favourite shrubs, and of all the pittosporums, I think the toughest. Mine, which is 3ft across, and in a tall pot, has shown no sign of damage at all this winter. Worthy

Thank you,Bamboo,that is very helpful.I will do that.I love mine too, Worthy,and its about the same size as your's,but in a border.No damage to mine either:o)

Can I ask both of you how tall your Tom Thumb has got please? I ask because I've seen it at Wisley, where it's labelled as getting about 2 to 3 feet high - but at my local garden centre, the ones they sell labelled Tom Thumb have an expected height of, wait for it, 7 feet! So I've never bought one for that reason, wish I'd got the Wisley one now...

I think they have got that wrong Bamboo,as mine is definitely a very slow grower.It is in my RHS book,as growing to about 3 ft maximum.I have had it about 4 years now,and it is nowhere near that yet.It just stays a very compact rounded shrub..hope this helps..

Yep, I know, so I can't understand what it is that Wyevale is selling labelled as Pittosporum Tom Thumb that reaches 7 feet - no good asking, I might as well be speaking swahili to their workers...

Its a good job you didn't get one then,Bamboo.At least you know what the correct one should be like..Did the one at the garden centre look like the small leaved variety ..or just the wrong info on the right plant, ?unless it had big leaves,and that would definitely be something else,wouldn't it ?

Looked like P. tenuifolium purpureum, to all intents and purposes, but that would get bigger than 7 feet - the one I had reached 10 feet. I just might tackle them about it, there must be a plantsperson there who orders the stock at least.

good idea,and good luck.Let me know what they say,it would be nice to find out..:o)

And even nicer to get a proper Tom Thumb that only gets less than 3 feet, lol!

So,30 months later ! Lol...I took some cuttings in August 2011,but only one survived..I kept it in the Conservatory over winter of 2012,and planted out in June,that year..still only minimum growth,but alive...
This winter,I left it outside,but covered it with an upturned plastic pot,for protection..only removed when the weather was suitable,which wasn't very often,as I recall...but it was and is,still alive but not so much kicking...very ,very slow to get going,but it's reached the dizzy heights of at least 4" in height and circumference,with new pale green foliage ! It might take off soon,and reward me for my patience and TLC..just thought you might like to hear the happy ending:o)

Thanks for the update, at least you got one growing. Not surprised its not romping away at speed, the weather's kept everything back this year. my surfinias look like it's esrly June rather than nearly July.

I wondered if you might see the latest comment,Bamboo..did you ever get one?

No, I didn't, still haven't found one that says less than 7 feet in height, haven't been back to Wisley for ages.

Very strange,Bamboo..my original one has reached it's full stated potential,I think..the name "Tom Thumb" sort of sort of gives a clue, you,doesn't it? ..mine will never get to that size,I'm sure..I must have had it at least six years now..