Taking cuttings, for me, was a little daunting to start off with. The attractions are obvious – new plants for free – but the process itself seemed to me a mystery. Stem cuttings (either softwood or semi-ripe) are the probably the easiest place to start and from there you can move on to the slightly trickier root cuttings. Here are a few steps to follow that might help you be as successful as possible as quickly as possible.
Stem cutting involve taking a portion of a plant’s stem and encouraging it to root and develop into a new plant. The various types of stem cuttings are each suited to different stages of growth and plant varieties. Here’s a breakdown of different stem cutting types:
Softwood Cuttings: Softwood cuttings are taken from the soft, flexible, and actively growing new shoots of a plant. This typically occurs in the late spring to early summer when the plant is in its rapid growth phase. Plants like herbs, annuals, and many deciduous shrubs are suitable for softwood cuttings.
Semi-Ripe Cuttings: Semi-ripe cuttings are obtained from stems that have begun to slightly mature and firm up, but are not yet fully woody. This stage usually occurs in late summer to early autumn. Many woody plants like shrubs and perennials can be propagated through semi-ripe cuttings.
Hardwood Cuttings: Hardwood cuttings involve using fully mature, woody stems that have entered their dormant period. This type of cutting is typically taken during the late autumn to winter when the plant is dormant. Trees, shrubs, and some vines are often propagated using hardwood cuttings.
How do you take a softwood or semi-ripe cutting?
1. Choose healthy, disease-free stems that are actively growing and have not yet become woody.
2. Using a sharp blade, cut a stem segment that is around 4-6 inches long, just below a node (the point where leaves attach to the stem).
3. Remove the lower leaves from the cutting, leaving only a few leaves at the tip.
4. (Optional) Dip the cut end in a rooting hormone to promote root development.
5. Plant the cutting in a well-draining rooting medium (a mixture of horticultural sand and compost) and water thoroughly.
6. Place the cuttings in a humid environment (on grass, for example), ideally under a clear plastic cover or in a propagator.
7. Keep the soil consistently moist and provide indirect light.
8. Once the cuttings have rooted (usually in a few weeks), gradually acclimate them to normal conditions before transplanting them into larger pots or the garden.
How do you take a semi-ripe Cuttings?
1. Choose healthy, mature stems that have started to firm up but still bend without breaking.
2. Follow the same steps as for softwood cuttings, including cutting below a node and removing lower leaves.
Semi-ripe cuttings generally take a bit longer to root than softwood cuttings, often several weeks to a few months.
How do you take :
1. Select well-matured, woody stems from the parent plant.
2. Cut the stems into sections that are about 6-12 inches long, each containing multiple nodes.
3. Trim the top of each cutting above a node and the bottom below a node.
4. Optionally, dip the base in rooting hormone.
5. Insert the cuttings directly into the ground outdoors or into containers filled with a well-draining medium.
6. Keep the cuttings watered but avoid overwatering to prevent rot.
7. Over the winter months, the cuttings will remain dormant. New growth and root development will occur in spring.
Taking stem cuttings is a great way to produce genetically identical offspring from a plant you love. By understanding the different types of stem cuttings and their corresponding timing, you can successfully multiply your garden’s plant collection.
