Easy propagating plants from cuttings.
Learn the easy art of propagating most plants from cuttings. Propagating from cuttings is far more simple than some people think. It’s one of those things that once you’ve done it for the first time, you won’t look back. In this article I show you two easy methods of taking cuttings to get free plants for your garden forever.
Whether you have that expensive plant you just can’t afford to buy more of. The F1 variety that can only be bought shipped from a retailer as it doesn’t have seed. Or perhaps the seed for your much loved plant just doesn’t exist anymore. It’s also exceptionally handy for when you get those suckers you’re pruning on tomato plants. Here you’ll learn how to propagate the plants you have, or take cuttings from others.
Method one
Plant for the cuttings.
Pincers
vessel suitable in size to hold the cuttings in water.
water.
Method two
Plant for cuttings
pincers
plant pot of suitable size for cutting, & compost. I like to use cactus mix for this as it is free draining.
water
Rooting powder, optional.
Cuttings Method One
The size of your cuttings are going to depend on the size of your plant. What we are looking for is paired leave sections. We need at least one pair of leaves above water, but no more than two, and at least one paired section that will go below the water line. Cut off the leaves that go below the water, as this is where the roots will form. It is also important to pinch out the tops to prevent the plants trying to flower. This will also encourage the plant to branch out at the top too, giving a bushier plant. When pruning, or cutting a parent plant back ready for potting on is the ideal time for taking cuttings. Be careful no to cut the parent plant too far back though.
Most plants will root very quickly in just water, but if they are taking a little time, change the water to prevent disease. Once a good root system has appeared you can pot them on.
Cuttings Method Two
The second method is the same as above for what we need from the plant itself. The only difference is that we are putting the cuttings straight in to the compost. In the photo above you will see a Nemesia cutting that has rooting powder on it. I did this in the video below to show how it’s done, but I’ve found it really doesn’t make much difference. As the main photo shows, the cuttings root perfectly fine without it. Once your cuttings are established, you’ll be able to pot them on, and transplant them outside. You can learn all about that in this Transplanting article.
Considerations
Is it possible to take cuttings from anything? Pretty much, but whether we should is another matter. There are some rare, and protected plants that must be left alone. When it comes to trees you may want to consider that you may be taking a cutting from a grafted tree. Your little cutting could eventually be as tall as your house, or send out sucker roots that undermine your foundations.
Always take cuttings from other people’s plants with permission, and responsibly.