Polk County Master Gardeners
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New Plants from Old - Root Cut
We have already talked about tip layering (where you root a plant by
burying a part of a stem in the soil) and air layering (where you surround a
standing stem with soil) and today will go on to rooting cuttings. It’s not as
difficult as you might think.
This procedure is frequently used for woody shrubs, and the best part of the
plant to use is a stem that is in transition from green to woody brown tissue.
The following suggestions are general - you can probably find more specific
instructions for individual plant species on the Internet, from the local
Agricultural Extension Service, or at the library.
The first thing you will need is a rooting medium. A 50/50 mix of perlite
with either vermiculite or peat moss works well. Put this in a container with
good drainage - a newspaper pot, old seedling pots, or even recycled margarine
tubs with holes poked in the bottom will work. Moisten the rooting medium well.
Push a pencil into the rooting medium to make a hole about an inch deep. Dip
the cuttings into a rooting hormone powder (consult your local nursery supplier
for this) and place them in the holes. Press the rooting medium firmly around
the cuttings.
The next step is to cover the cuttings to retain humidity while letting in as
much light as possible. Any clear plastic box or bag will work. Those plastic
bags that come on pillows or blankets (and are too stiff for anything else!) are
a good choice.
At this time of year, you may want to keep the cuttings in a sunny south
window, but as soon as it warms up enough outside, you can move your rooting
chamber out where it will get lots of light but avoid direct sunlight.
The main thing to do is to keep them moist but not soggy and be sure they
have plenty of light but not direct sun. Be sure to give them enough time for
the roots to develop well before you disturb the cutting. When you see new
growth, you’re probably safe in moving your plant to its new home.
Since not all of your cuttings will be successful, it’s a good idea to start
more than you really need to improve your odds of getting the plants you want.
And a little research on the preferences of the specific plants you want to
propagate is good insurance.
By Barbara M. Tobias
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