 |
Cuttings
Making new plants by rooting small pieces of larger plants is a lot easier
then it seems. As a technique, it works on quite a lot of plants such as
geraniums, fuchsia, hydrangea, and wisteria to name a few. There are a
variety of ways to go about this task. It can be as simple as placing some
stems of basil or mint from the grocery store into a container of water.
Remove the lower leaves and snip the ends off with a sharp pair of pruning
shears for a clean cut before you put the stems in water. After a time the
stems will root and you can easily plant them in some soil indoors or out.
This method can also be used to root stems taken from catnip or other plants
growing wild in fields or abandoned lots.
Softwood Cuttings
Although most gardeners have rooted cuttings from the more popular plants
such as geraniums, pinks or coleus, few experiment with bushes, vines, or
larger perennials. Early to mid summer is a great time to propagate new
plants from stem cuttings. Choose shoots that are semi-mature with a hard,
woody base that is still soft enough to cut through with a pair of shears,
and which has a soft tip with new growth. Cut ½ inch or so below a node, on
an angle. The cutting from base to tip should be about 4 inches long. Remove
the lower leaves to create a stem. Dip the fresh cut end into a dish of
rooting hormone. Rooting hormone is a product that promotes root growth, and
often contains fungicides that discourage the stem from rotting before it
has the opportunity to produce roots. It can be purchased in powder or gel
form. If powdered hormone isn't coating the stem end properly, lightly
moisten the end of the cutting. Fill a small container with some potting
soil. Make a hole in the soil with a dibber, a pencil, a stick or even your
finger. Place the cutting in the hole, being sure to avoid removing the
rooting hormone. Gently press the soil down around the cutting and water
thoroughly.
|
