Taking cuttings (in general)

Good afternoon all.

I have a single surviving correopsis plant, and as of today, 2 geums, all of which I would like to multiply in the greatest numbers possible.

I usually have very little success with cuttings. Any tips on getting the best results? I have some hormone rooting powder (which I've never used before), general purpose compost, a blowaway greenhouse, plenty of facilities for keeping stuff moist etc.

My mission is to actually fill my garden with flowers next year.

 

Do you have any grit/sharp sand/perlite?

Seems rooting plants prefer a 50/50 mix of compost/grit (or alternative). That lessens the potential for the cutting to go rotten because the compost will be more free draining. I've used rooting hormone gel and ordinary compost and had poor results and not understood why. But, since trying the hormone gel, plus the 50/50, I seem to be getting more results. That's about as much as I know.

 

Some very soft cuttings root well in water. Find a nice shady place ( ie. in my bathroom) and place them in a jar so that you can see the stem and the rooting process and ensure it stays in the same water level. I have successfully done Impatiens, Fuchsias Salvias and I am experimenting with Viola "Rebecaa" cuttings at the moment,
Jenny

 

*off to stick my soft cuttings in Jenny's bathroom*

 

Is sharp sand the same as horticultural sand? I fancy trying to take some cuttings myself and I've got a bag of horticultural sand which might do?

 

Yep, budgie bird cage sand is also good.
But the best is "freebie" Kiln dried sand for posh patio renovation that my husband's been helping a friend with.
The deal, I'll do a 3 course dinner for 4 for 2 consecutive Wednesdays in exchange for 2 kilos of this kiln dried sand stuff for my special compost mix.
It's a done deal,
Jenny

 

Yay, Jenny! Good old fashioned bartering: love it!

How many dinners would I get for, say, a kilo of shredded paper



PS: OK, don't answer ... I know it wouldn't even earn me a sniff of the cork!

 

I posted how I take cuttings in another thread:
http://gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/threads/phostrogen.43504/#post-549046

hopefully of some help