Banbury Living Oct - Nov 2022

PROPAGATING
NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE THE
MOST OF PROPAGATING YOUR
HERBACEOUS PLANTS
101
Propagating through stem cuttings is a
form of cloning because the new plant
will be an exact genetic match to the
parent plant. That’s not always the case
with the other popular way to propagate
plants—collecting seeds, germinating
them, and planting. Many hybrid plants
produce seeds that don’t “grow true”
to the parent plants, so rooting stem
cuttings is the most reliable way to
propagate hybrid plants.
Rooting stem cuttings is most often used
to propagate houseplants, but there
are many garden plants that you can
propagate using this method. In cold
climates, cuttings from tender garden
plants, such as coleus or impatiens, can
be taken in late autumn, rooted indoors
during the winter, and then planted
outdoors in spring. And though it’s a bit
more difficult, many woody plants can
also be propagated by snipping stem
cuttings and rooting them.
Stem cuttings can be taken and rooted
at almost any time, but the technique
is more successful when the plant is
not in full bloom. When your goal is to
propagate outdoor garden plants over
winter, take your cuttings after the plant’s
bloom period is over in fall, or trim off
any flowers or flower buds from the stem
TOP TIP
There are two ways to root stem
cuttings: placing them in water or
embedding them in potting soil or
another growing medium. Many plants,
such as coleus, spider plant, and
pothos, will readily root in water. But the
water method can cause the roots to
be quite fragile, and some plants resist
rooting in water altogether. It’s generally
best to root your cuttings in some type
of potting medium if possible.
you are snipping off. A stem cutting that
contains flowers or flower buds is putting
too much energy into flower production
to allow for good root development.
For shrubs and other woody plants,
rooting via stem cuttings is most likely
to succeed if you take cuttings from new
growth that has not yet become woody.
April through June is usually the best
time to take cuttings from woody plants.
Moreover, using a rooting hormone
is essential when attempting to root
cuttings from woody plants.
Do a little bit of research on any plant you
want to propagate from stem cuttings. It’s
easy to learn what experts recommend
as the best growing medium to use for
propagation.
TAKE THE CUTTING
Cut a 3- to 6-inch-long piece from a
healthy portion of the parent plant’s stem,
using a sharp knife or pruners to cut the
stem at a 45-degree angle. This angled
cut will maximize the area available for
roots to develop. If possible, take cuttings
from the newest growth on the plant
Each cutting should have at least two
or three sets of leaves along its length.
Make sure the cutting includes at least
one growth node (a bump on the stem
from which leaves or flowers sprout) that
can be buried in the growing medium.
Roots will sprout from this node, as well
as from the cut end of the stem.
It’s not uncommon for some attempts
at propagation to fail, so it’s best to
take at least three cuttings to ensure
success. Woody plants can be especially
temperamental, so taking six or more
cuttings is a good idea.
TOP TIP
Prevent your cuttings drying out whilst
you work by keeping them in a plastic
sandwich bag until you are ready to plant
up. Also try to work in a shady area.
REMOVE LEAVES
Remove the leaves from the bottom node
of the stem cutting. Usually, you can
simply snap off the leaves. Make sure to
retain at least three to four leaves on the
stem cutting. If the leaves are large, trim
them in half to reduce the stress on the
plant and excessive evaporation of liquid.
If using, now is the time to put your rooting
hormone on the end of the cutting.
PLANT THE CUTTINGS
Either using small pots, or planting at the
edge of a larger container, use a pencil to
make a small hole and place the cutting
in there, burying at least one node.
TEND TO PLANTS
Most plants will not root well in full sun,
so place the cuttings in a location where
they will receive a 50/50 ratio of shade
to dappled sunlight. For most plants,
cuttings thrive on warmth and humidity,
and the growing medium should be kept
evenly moist but not drenched while roots
develop.
Inspect the cuttings every two weeks,
looking for new leaf growth and root
development. If flower buds or blooms
develop, pinch them off. New leaves will
assist with root growth, but flowers divert
energy away from root development.
When you see that new leaf growth
is developing along the stem of the
cutting, it usually means that healthy
new roots are established. Once you
feel resistance when slightly tugging
on the cutting, it means the roots are
sufficiently developed. At this point, you
can transfer the cutting to a new pot
with fresh potting soil.
www.banburyliving.co.uk | 25