You can propagate beautiful, healthy plants by taking cuttings. You will then get new plants with the properties of the adult specimens. There are several ways to take cuttings, depending on the type of plant. You can take cuttings from the roots, stems or leaves of the plant. For the cuttings you need a sharp knife, cutting powder, cutting soil, propagation tray and pots. Most cuttings like a warm, light spot and plenty of water. When the cuttings are well rooted, plant them in a larger pot.
- Cuttings of plants
- Taking cuttings from offshoots
- How do you take a leaf cutting?
- Taking a root cutting
- Cuttings that root in water
- The cuttings of the stem parts
- Cuttings with a heel
- The general care of cuttings
- Cutting powder
- Cutting soil
Cuttings of plants
Taking cuttings from plants has several advantages. This is an inexpensive way to propagate plants. But by taking a cutting you also retain the properties of the adult plant. The cutting will produce flowers or fruits of the same size, color or scent. Only with healthy plants it makes sense to take cuttings. Depending on the type of plant, you take a cutting from the roots, the leaves or the stems.
The growing season
The best time to take cuttings is the growing season. The chance of success is greatest in the spring, summer and possibly autumn. The cutting roots faster and leaves earlier. Cuttings taken in winter take longer to root.
Taking cuttings from offshoots
Some plants (strawberry plants) propagate themselves by making suckers. Suckers take root where they touch the ground. Cut off an offshoot that has formed roots. Put the shoots in a pot or plant them in the garden.
The care
The shoots need a warm, moist place. After a few weeks you plan them out.
How do you take a leaf cutting?
Succulents are propagated by taking a leaf cutting. Cut off a leaf and let it dry for 24 hours. Then you fill a pot with cutting soil and insert the leaves a little bit. Gently press down on the soil and put the pot aside.
The care of a leaf cutting
Succulents need little water. The young cuttings do well on a drop of water per week. They do like a warm, light place. In a greenhouse, or with a plastic bag over the pots you can provide more heat. Sufficient air must be supplied to the cuttings, otherwise they will go moldy.
Taking a root cutting
Cuttings through the roots is easy. Dig up the plant and cut off a piece of a thick root. Cut the carrot into two-inch pieces with the top cut straight and the bottom diagonally. Place the cuttings in a pot with cutting soil, but let the top of the root rise slightly above the soil. Plants from which you can take a root cutting are: mint, poppy and anemones.
The care of a root cutting
The roots sprout quickly after cuttings. Plant out the young plant when it has four leaves.
Cuttings that root in water
The geranium is a well-known example of a plant that makes roots in water. Cut cuttings about four inches long. Remove the lower leaves and, if necessary. the flower buds. A flowering cutting needs energy for flowering. Removing the flower buds stimulates root growth.
The grass lily
The young plants of the grass lily grow on the stem. Remove the plants and put them in a vase with water, or plant them in a pot with moist soil. You cut a saxifraga in the same way.
The pancake plant
In the pancake plant, the young plants grow next to the adult plant. To maximize the chance of success, cut the larger specimens with multiple leaves. Remove the soil around the plant and cut the young plant close to the adult plant. Place the cutting in a vase. After a few weeks, the plant has developed enough roots.
Cacti
In some cactus species, the young cacti grow on the adult plant. You can carefully remove these and replant them.
The care
Fill small vases with clean water and place the cuttings in it. Place the vases in a light place, but out of direct sunlight. Change the water regularly. When the roots are a few inches long, put the cuttings in the ground. Get the cuttings used to this transition by keeping them out of full sun and plenty of water. The plant may be placed in the sun if the leaves remain beautiful. This depends on the type of plant, because not every plant likes a sunny spot.
The cuttings of the stem parts
You can cut herbs such as thyme, rosemary and sage by cutting off a stem. Here you take the middle part because the top part is too weak. Remove the bottom leaves. With a sharp knife you cut an inch off the bark. Stick this piece of the stem into the cutting powder. Shake off the excess cutting powder and plant the cutting in a pot with cutting soil.
The care
Place the cuttings in a propagator or cover them with plastic until they have roots.
Cuttings with a heel
Plants with woody branches (lavender) can be cut by pulling a side shoot, with bark, off the adult plant. You cut the heel straight off. Remove the lower leaves. Cut large leaves half way so that the cutting does not lose too much moisture. Stick the cutting in cutting powder and shake off the excess powder. Place the cutting in cutting soil.
The general care of cuttings
Cuttings evaporate water but cannot absorb water yet due to a lack of roots. That is why they dry out quickly. You can prevent this by covering the pots with plastic, or by using a propagator. That way it stays warm and moist. If there are drops on the plastic, air must be aired because the cuttings will mold in an environment that is too moist. Once the cuttings have roots, they no longer need to be covered with plastic. By pulling something on the cutting you can feel whether it has roots. The roots resist.
Cutting powder
Cutting powder contains growth regulators that stimulate root formation. It also contains a substance that prevents fungal attack. But too much cutting powder is not good for the cuttings.
Instructions
Shake some cutting powder in a bowl. Wet the bottom of the cuttings and stick them in the cutting powder. Shake off the excess powder from the cuttings. Make a hole in the cutting soil where you put the cutting. This way, the cutting powder remains on the cutting. Press the soil around the cutting and moisten the soil. The remaining moist cutting powder cannot be returned to the packaging.
Cutting soil
Cutting soil has a fine structure, is well permeable to water and contains nutrients for the first months. This ensures good root development in the cuttings. You can also make cutting soil yourself. Then mix two parts potting soil with one part sharp sand.