| Making new plants, called propagation is an exciting | | | | water. |
| and rewarding part of gardening. A cutting is | | | | Press firmly and water well making sure that it is |
| simply a piece of stem which you poke into soft | | | | kept moist but not saturated. |
| soil and it grows a new plant when it establishes a | | | | After a few weeks the cutting should have |
| root system of its own. | | | | produced new leaves and roots which is when it is |
| The most common sort of cutting is the stem | | | | ready to be transplanted to another spot if |
| cutting. There are two types of stem cuttings - | | | | required. |
| softwood and hardwood cuttings. Softwood | | | | For hardwood cuttings - (always done in the |
| cuttings are easier to grow than hardwood ones | | | | cooler months) |
| which take much longer to establish their own | | | | Take a cutting of a stem that is about the |
| root system. | | | | thickness of your thumb and about 20 |
| Easy plants for beginners to propagate soft | | | | centimetres long. |
| cuttings from include Rosemary, Lavender, Mint, | | | | Cut the stem on a slant about 10 millimetres |
| Geraniums, Pelargoniums and Fuchsia. Hardwood | | | | above the top node and make a straight cut just |
| cuttings as the name suggests comes from trees | | | | below the last node. |
| such as willows, camellias, hibiscus and roses. | | | | Hardwood cuttings are done in winter so be |
| For softwood cuttings - (usually done in the | | | | careful that the stem is planted the right way up |
| warmer months when there is less chance of | | | | as there will be no leaves on the stem to give |
| frost and root-rot) | | | | you a clue of what end to plant in the ground. |
| Sharpen secateurs and clean with methylated | | | | It is up to you if you choose to use a rooting |
| spirits (or white spirit) before you commence | | | | hormone powder or gel to fasten the rooting |
| pruning plants for propagation. Always take | | | | process. You may even choose to use honey as |
| several cuttings from each plant to increase your | | | | a rooting stimulant or nothing at all, just planting |
| success rate. | | | | the cutting into the soil. |
| Cut at an angle just below a node or at the heel | | | | Do not forget to label your newly propagated |
| where the shoot joins the stem or bend the | | | | cuttings. |
| branch towards the ground, scrape a node and | | | | Do not over-water your hardwood cuttings, the |
| then push it into the ground, holding it there with a | | | | ground just needs to be moist but not saturated. |
| brick, rock or stone. | | | | If you have planted the cuttings into pots then |
| Remove buds and all but the top leaves. | | | | once roots have begun to form place them |
| Place the cutting in a semi-shaded spot in the | | | | outside to acclimatise the plants to the conditions |
| ground or place in a container that drains well. In | | | | in which they will be growing in. |
| either case ensure that the soil is friable, not too | | | | Well done, you have just created new plants |
| rich and well moistened. You can also strike | | | | from old at little or no cost. |
| cuttings by placing them in frequently changed | | | | |