CUTTINGS

First reasonable spring like day here in Southend, Essex. Decided to completely repot all my overwintered cuttings of various pelargoniums and rockery/alpine plants.
Only thing that has failed is my first attempt to propagate heather!

Back to the drawing board on that one!

 

did you put it in ericaceous compost, DAG? I know they're ok in ordinary - but maybe they'd do better with acid soil/compost, or at least feed? Don't know for sure, as have never tried it - maybe tomorrow! Beware heather plants!

 

Good point nixon, unfortunately I can't remember what I did this morning, let alone last year! :D

 

thats honest lol

 

I've grown heather cuttings in the past.
I've usually taken 3-4in shoots in late summer, stripped the lower leaves and plant them in a pan of sharp sand only, in a sheltered possition, or cold frame.
I dont get 100% sucsess, but not too bad.

 

Thanks for the tip pete2255, did everything the same except for the sharp sand, I will try and remember that next time!

 

Mines not really a cutting- more of a division! I am sure I read somewhere you could do it to Hostas. Anyway I have potted them both up and give them a bit of a water and wil see what happens in the next few weeks.

 

Can one take cuttings off anything. Should it go in a heated propagator?

 

Off most things, yes - and it depends what they are - if you're taking hard-wood cuttings from trees or shrubs, around October, you can put them in the ground and leave well alone. So the answer is, it depends!! Any particular plants you have and want to try, ask about them, and we'll help if we can!

 

Thankyou. I am thinking of things like Penstemon and Lavendar. I don't have much confidence with cuttings. I would like to see someone demonstrate.Love Linda

 

Linda - most cuttings are best taken in the autumn. We can give you very detailed instructions on how to deal with soft wood, hard wood cuttings then. However you can take heeled cuttings in late spring but they need a bit of care over the summer to ensure their survival - and I wouldn't use try it with lavender or penstemons

[ 23. March 2006, 08:09 PM: Message edited by: Fran ]

 

chances are there'll be something like that on the Gardener's world site - follow the link, and have a look through past programmes - they include pics and instructions on how to do all sorts of gardeningy things!! http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/tv_and_radio/gardeners_world/index.shtml