GROWING CUTTINGS

hi i want to take and grow cuttings from my mums garden, not realy sure how to do it?

 

easiest thing to use as a growing medium is the gel which comes in little pots like yoghurt-pots, all good garden centres, and B&Q

 

Hi there Ibsnoop. What are the plants that you want to take cuttings from? There's a couple of different ways to take cuttings, and some plants do better being propogated by other means.

 

Things like busy lizzy, fiberous rooted begonias, geraniums, most fushias and rosmary will root quite happily in a yogurt tub of plain water stuck on a shady window sill,(yes, I know you're not supposed to do it but it works!).

Other plants require more specific treatment such as growing tip, softwood or hardwood cuttings. Others can be propagated by seed, plant division, layering or micropropagation (a highly specialised subject).

It really does depend on the plant and how quickly you expect it to bear flowers or fruit etc.

 

Lbsnoop - It is quite a big subject. I would be inclined to read the chapter on propagation, that so many general gardening books have - in your library or even a shop. They would have more space to explain than a thread here. Having got the basics, I am sure people here could advise on the best method for any specific plant.

Frogesque - can you really do that with geraniums (I assume you mean pelargoniums, rather than hardy geraniums)? They are devils for rotting off in damp compost, even when not covered.

 

one of the best books is the RHS pruning book - lots of pics, and photos, so you can see wxactly what you're meant to do. ISBN 1405300612. It's quite expensive, but there's always Amazon or E-bay! (or a library!)

 

Shhh... don't tell them but they have all been propagated that way :D



To be truthful I'm not really sure where geraniums end and pelargoniums take over (opinions seem to differ) Pic was taken about October so they are a bit past their best.

They really are one of the easiest things to root. Almost any piece of stem will do whether its flowered or not, as long as it's healthy and got a bit of leaf on it. Strip any lower leaves, place them in some water about 1/3 way up the cutting, keep in a cool shady spot and let 'em get on with it. Under greenhouse staging on the floor seems ideal but a window sill out of direct sunlight will do. Maybe need to add a bit of water if the weather's particularly dry. Pot up as soon as the roots start to develop. Usually takes about 3-4 weeks. Probably a bit early to do it yet but any time between April and October when the parent is growing well. I've also done bi-colours, the purple and white 'Beryl Reid' springs to mind.

My dear old mum never did them any other way

[ 23. February 2006, 08:04 PM: Message edited by: frogesque ]

 

Many thanks Frogesque - Your cuttings look brilliant. I will give that a try later in the year. It is never recommended in books on pelargoniums - but if it works! :D

Lbsnoop - you can always try this with things from the garden. If you have plenty of cutting material and plenty of milk bottles the cost to you is absolutely nothing. But only somethings can be propagated this way - so be prepared for some failures. As Frogesque says best to leave it for a bit as it is still lying in bed time for many plants rather than getting up time. :D

 

With pelargoniums I've found that they hate to be pampered. They seem to prefer to be left for a bit after the cutting is taken, not put stright into the compost as you'd normally do - and they don't do well with rooting powder! Odd!

 

I know that pelargonium cuttings are supposed to be easy. I have had success. But I find that, even uncovered, they often tend to wilt and then rot off. I have heard it said that you should leave them for 24 hours before putting in compost - but how do you stop them going limp. I have also used vitamin C solution as some suggest. I usually use rooting powder - it could be better without.

In answer to my own questions, I have just re-read a small booklet by Mary Spink, who runs a specialist pelargonium nursery, Swanland near Hull. She says that the mother plant must be watered 24 hours before, and cuttings need a minimum root temperature of 22C and air temperature of 10C - maintained overnight, as well as plenty of light. She propagates 12 months of the year, using artificial heat and light when necessary. I suspect that without artificial heat and light you need to wait till late spring/summer. She says the hotter the weather the quicker the cuttings take and grow.

How about hot water Frogesque! :D

 

The only success I have ever had with pelagonium cuttings were ones that I took off a freshly watered parent plant - stuck in some 50/50 compost and vermiculite - lightly watered, then placed on my south facing spare room windowsill, without covering - and kept forgetting to check them. Temperature in there rarely goes below 10 overnight - and receives direct sun (if out), even in the shortest days for at least 4 hours a day.

 

if I'm not doing it seriously, and just bung it into the nearest pot - it always works! Honest! Maybe you're trying too hard? If I'm trying in the greenhouse, the strike rate is nothing like as good.

 

cheers guys, not sure what plants my mum has! but read up on books from library,will keep you updated cheers