Horticulture Principles and Practices

Semihardwood Cuttings
As the name implies, semihardwood cuttings are derived from tissues that are more
woody than softwood cuttings. Semihardwood cuttings are made from the spring growth
of trees and shrubs, are more mature than softwood, but will snap when bent. This material
may be obtained around midsummer. The cuttings should have some leaves on the
top parts and be handled in the same manner as softwood cuttings (Figure 10–3). Plants
such as azalea, rhododendron, holly, and other broadleaf evergreen ornamentals are
propagated by this method.
Hardwood Cutting
A cutting derived from
mature or woody stem
material.
Hardwood Cuttings
Deciduous Wood Deciduous hardwood cuttings are made from plant parts that are
more hardened, woody, and mature enough to spring back when bent and released. They
are taken before the plants produce a flush of spring growth, in early spring or late winter.
The materials are thus obtained from the previous summer’s growth. These cuttings
do not have leaves and are about 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 centimeters) long (Figure 10–4).
They are best rooted in a well-drained, sandy medium. The cuttings are inserted vertically
into the rooting medium. Some fruits (e.g., grape, fig, and currant), deciduous
shrubs (e.g., rose, forsythia, and honeysuckle), and deciduous trees (e.g., willow) yield
hardwood that is used in their propagation.
Narrow-Leaved Evergreens Conifers, narrowleaf evergreens, are commonly
propagated by hardwood cuttings obtained from plants in early winter. These cuttings
should have needles on the upper part (Figure 10–5). Conifer cuttings root
slowly, sometimes requiring months to produce adequate rooting. The preferable
rooting environment is cool and humid. Sometimes a cold frame with high light intensity
can be used to accelerate the rooting process. Examples of plants in this category
are juniper, spruce, hemlock, yew, and pine.
Herbaceous Cuttings
Herbaceous stem cuttings are also considered softwood cuttings. Numerous potted
succulent greenhouse plants are propagated by herbaceous cuttings (Figure 10–6).
Geranium, carnation, chrysanthemum, coleus, ivy, spider plant, and lanta are
FIGURE 10–3 Semihardwood cuttings.
Broadleaf evergreens are commonly propagated
in this way.
FIGURE 10–4 Deciduous hardwood
cuttings are obtained from
leafless plants in late winter or early
spring. (Source: Peter Anderson © Dorling
Kindersley)
FIGURE 10–5 Narrowleaf evergreen
or conifer cuttings.
316 Chapter 10 Asexual Propagation