Starting a plant from a clipping

[melaniepur]

I didn't know where to put this but I guess this is a good spot.

My neighbor gives me plants that have woody stems. She says I can just put it in a pot and make sure the soil is moist and it will grow. K so I have 3 different plants right now. To me, they look like they are almost dead if not already. Is there a trick to getting them to stay alive?

I admit I'm not giving them a lot of love like I do my other plants. This could be a trial of love.

[Biggles]

Mel--There are two types of 'cuttings'--I hope I have explained it alright for you but dont hesitate to ask if you cant understand it! ;D

Softwood Cuttings


Softwood cuttings are taken from first-year branches that have not yet become woody. Flowering shrubs are often propagated by softwood cuttings. Late spring and early summer are the best times for success with this method.

Take cuttings after it rains or water is applied in the cool morning. Make a diagonal cut. The larger diagonal cut gives more area to develop roots. Keep cuttings in water before moving them into rooting medium.

Make cuttings 2 to 10 inches long. Larger cuttings produce larger plants sooner. Make cuts slightly below a leaf node. (The base of the cutting should be dry before dipping it into rooting hormone powder-Not essential if you havent any Rooting Powder) Place this vertically in the soil about halfway down the cutting.

Hardwood Cuttings

Hardwood cuttings are taken once the tissue becomes woody and the plant is dormant. Cuttings can be taken anytime from late fall after a killing frost until late winter. Select healthy wood that was produced the previous summer. Several cuttings can be made from the same branch of some shrubs.

Make cuts at a slant, 5 to 12 inches long. Basal cuts should be just below a node, while the upper cut should be slightly above a bud. Dip the basal end in rooting hormone. Mark the most terminal end of each cutting with a tag.(This is to make sure you have the right end to place in the soil )

Bury cuttings vertically in moist vermiculite or sand or compost. Cuttings should not freeze, but must remain cool. A callus will form on the lower cut end during storage. Callus formation indicates that cuttings are ready to root.



Good Luck and do let us know how you get on.-(You have to be patient because it sometimes takes awhile to root)

[bogmyrtle]

What a great question Mel, I've never tried it, but may have a go now. I've watched them do it on the gardening programmes though. Thanks and thanks Biggles for a answer even Myrtle should be able to follow .