| You can make several different cuttings from wood, | | | | 2. Make a mixture of vermiculite (or sharp sand) and |
| the most common woods are hardwood, softwood, | | | | multi-purpose compost in equal half to half |
| and semi-ripe. These basically refer to the degree of | | | | proportions or better still use special cuttings |
| woodiness of the plant stem hence depicting how old | | | | compost. |
| the stem of the plant actually is. The easiest and | | | | 3. Place the individual cuttings in 3 inch pots or larger |
| simplest to take root is the softwood since the | | | | 5 inch cuttings and place 5 cuttings on the edge. |
| cuttings are made from the youngest part of the | | | | 4. Make a slanted slit of the cutting so that the |
| stem. If you are trying for the first time the | | | | bottom is exactly below a leaf joint or a node. |
| softwood would be the best option for you. | | | | 5. Remove all the bottom leaves, only leaving 3-4 at |
| The cuttings from the new plant should be taken in | | | | the top. Ensure you pinch out the developing tip. |
| May and June and should basically take between 4 - | | | | 6. Dip the bottom end of the cutting in water in case |
| 8 weeks to root. Note that they must be kept warm | | | | you are using hormone root powder and shake it off |
| and moist otherwise they will lose too much moisture | | | | to get rid of any excesses. |
| resulting in wilting and eventually death. This can be | | | | 7. Place the cutting in the compost in the pot to |
| achieved by using a propagator but if you don't have | | | | around a third of its length and don't forget to water. |
| one potting the cuttings in a polythene bag will | | | | 8. Wrap the pot in a clear polythene bag but don't let |
| suffice. | | | | the bag squeeze the leaves and place it on a well lit |
| There's a ball of contention among experts as to | | | | greenhouse or sunny window shelf. |
| whether one should use hormone root powder or | | | | 9. Though they don't need much watering, keep |
| not. Individuals with experience say one can get | | | | checking them after a few days. |
| success or fail using either method. You can try it for | | | | 10. New leaves will indicate rooting of the cutting. You |
| yourself and see the results. Fuchsias, hebes, | | | | can then transfer them to regular potting compost. |
| pelargoniums, lupins, chrysanthemums and hydrangeas | | | | Softwood cuttings are known to root very easily |
| are the easiest plants to obtain cuttings from. This is | | | | thus, you can even simply place the cut stems in a |
| the procedure for taking cuttings. | | | | glass of water, remove the bottom leaves, and pinch |
| 1. Using a sharp knife or secateurs, cut close to a | | | | out the developing tip. After a couple of weeks, |
| dozen growing tips from the plant -approximately 4 | | | | rooting will start taking place. That is all it entails and |
| inches in length and immediately put them in a | | | | you can start gifting the plants for free to elated |
| polythene bag to keep them moist. | | | | family and friends. |