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 Now is the time to take cuttings from the geraniums you brought in last fall. |
If you are like me, your thoughts have already turned to what you will be planting this year. The seed catalogues are out and pages have been dog-eared. I could spend several paycheques on the new seeds and plants I find in these catalogues and the nursery in the spring.
But I have found with a little early planning I can save on my budget by taking cuttings from existing plants in my house.
Now is the time to take cuttings from the geraniums you brought in last fall as well as ivy, coleus and spider plants. Many people tell me they just don’t have a green thumb and have never tried to take their own cuttings, but with a few simple steps you can be very successful at it.
So let’s begin:
• Stem cuttings are the most popular and easiest method of plant propagation. The technique can be applied to all plants with noticeable stems.
• Select a healthy section of new growth (often showing as a brighter green) with at least three nodes (the bumps or rings where a leaf is or was attached) and cut it cleanly with a sharp knife just below the lowest node. Remove any flowers or flower buds as well as any leaves growing from the last or bottom node. A rooting hormone, available in the form of a powder, gel or liquid, can be applied to the cut section. While not absolutely necessary, it can help stimulate faster rooting.
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• Cuttings can be rooted in water – this is a great way to show children what happens as a plant develops roots – but it is best to use a sterilized potting mix such as soil-less growing media, vermiculite, sand or perlite. Fill a small pot or other container with mix and moisten it lightly. Individual yogurt containers work well for this, but don’t forget to put drainage holes in the bottom first.
• Use a pencil to prepare a hole for the stem, and then insert the cutting so that at least one node, and preferably two, are covered with mix. Firm the mix, then cover the container with a clear plastic bag to maintain high humidity, which is necessary to keep the young cutting from wilting.
• Put the cutting in bright light, but not full sun, and supply warm temperatures. Check from time to time that there is not too much humidly under the plastic. This will cause the plants to rot. If you’re not sure, remove the plastic for 30 to 40 minutes about once a week. Water if necessary. When the plant is well rooted and growing on its own (this can take from two weeks to several months), remove the plastic and treat the cutting like an adult plant.
• Once the top section of stem cutting has been removed, the rest of the stem can be cut up into sections and also rooted. Just make sure not to invert stem cuttings. They must be right-side up in order to root.
• Cuttings of succulents and cacti should be allowed to heal over before being potted, a process that can take anywhere from several days to more than a month. Don’t cover succulents with plastic since high humidity can cause them to rot.
It sounds easy, so give it a try. What do you have to lose? You will always still have the original plant you started with. And before you know it, you will be sharing all your extras with friends.
Growing Concerns is produced by London, Ont.-area garden centres. E-mail us your gardening questions and we’ll try to respond in future columns.