Propagation of plants by cuttings
Woody cuttings are most often used to propagate plant species or varieties. Vegetative propagation of garden plants is the cheapest and easiest method, and every gardening enthusiast will achieve satisfactory rooting results.
From early summer to late autumn, you can begin to propagate garden plants. You can prepare cuttings of almost all species growing in the garden, but they differ in their ability to root.
Please note! Cuttings do not always take root quickly and without problems, and this depends on the type of plant from which they were obtained. If poorly cared for, they dry out, rot or become ill, so you should provide them with the best conditions for development.
The rooting period depends on the individual properties of the plants. The ease of root formation is affected by the condition of the mother plant from which the shoots for the cuttings are cut. If the propagation material is taken from healthy, well-fed and well-groomed plants, the rooting process is faster and easier.
The seedlings obtained in this way will have the same characteristics as the mother plant, which is especially important when propagating varieties of individual plants.
How to prepare seedlings?
Semi-woody cuttings allow propagation of various plant species: vines, some herbs and shrubs. Cuttings are taken from this year’s growths – from June, when they begin to lignify, until mid-autumn.
- The cutting is shortened to 10 cm by making a diagonal cut just below the node.
- Remove the lower leaves and trim the upper ones.
- The lower part of the shoot needs to be dipped in a rooting agent, which can be purchased at any garden center.
- Fill the pot with a mixture of soil and gravel or perlite (1:1).
- Place the lower half of the seedling in the substrate. Do not place too many plants in the container – they need free access to air.
- Water the soil; the substrate should always be moist.
- Place the seedlings in a greenhouse or cover them with transparent film and move them to a bright place.
- Check regularly, removing dead or infected seedlings and replacing them with new ones.
- After rooting, the seedlings are transplanted into separate containers.
Choose healthy, vigorously growing, non-flowering shoots about 10 cm long. Cut them at the base, just below the node (where the leaves emerge from the shoot). The cut should be even (damage or crushing of this place will make it difficult for the shoot to root).
For seedlings, it is best to use shoots 0.5-1 cm thick with well-developed buds. The apical parts of the shoot are less useful, as they are usually too thin, not woody enough and have less developed buds. From one long shoot, depending on the species and variety, we get from one to several seedlings.
It is very important to make the cut correctly. The branches should be cut with a sharp pruner or knife 15-25 cm long, having well-developed buds. The upper cut is made approximately 1 cm above the bud.
To limit the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms, it is worth protecting the cuts, for example, with garden ointment. Do not allow the shoots to dry out, so during storage, you should check the substrate moisture from time to time.
In what substrate will cuttings root better?
We can facilitate the propagation and rooting of plants by preparing a suitable substrate for them. Seedlings root best in soil with a high humus content, sufficiently moist, well-loosened and free of weeds. To ensure sufficient soil moisture and prevent the development of weeds, the soil around the seedlings can be mulched with bark, peat or sawdust.
Additional information! It is desirable that the rooting cuttings are not in the open sun. Then the seedlings are subject to faster drying of the substrate. Therefore, it is better to choose protected places in partial shade. If we have an open space and a sunny place, it is worth installing a special shading fabric over the rooting seedlings.
One of the most important factors that ensures good rooting of cuttings is the appropriate humidity of the substrate and air. Regular watering and ensuring sufficient humidity are the main tasks that should not be forgotten during rooting.
To ensure humidity, the container with seedlings should be covered with a film that limits the evaporation of water from the substrate. However, the condition of the seedlings under the film should be checked regularly, since if left unattended for a long time, they may begin to get sick or rot. Another important thing is light. Some cuttings need light to root, but none can tolerate direct sunlight, from which it must be protected.
As the tops of the shoots grow, they should be pinched to encourage stronger branching of the bushes. A shoot without a top branches better, usually forming new growth from the uppermost buds. Also, we must not forget about weeding the soil. Fast-growing weeds can prevent the proper development of seedlings at the initial stage of growth.
Home Remedies for Rooting Cuttings
Plant rooting agent – how does it work? Rooting agent is an agent that helps shoot and leaf cuttings to root faster and better. The rooting agent ensures that the new seedling will take root well and grow quickly. Ready-made rooting agents are available in stores in various forms – gels, powders or liquids.
Please note! To get the best results from plant propagation, we can help the cuttings to root. One of the most effective ways is to dip their base into a special rooting agent. They contain growth hormones that stimulate the formation and growth of roots, as well as additional substances such as minerals and fungicides. Suppresses the growth of bacteria and fungi, to which young roots are particularly susceptible.
Thanks to it, the roots on the shoot will be healthier and more developed, which will significantly increase the chances of the plant taking root and growing healthy.
There are both synthetic and organic rooting agents available on the market, based on natural substances. Store-bought rooting agents contain nutrients, fungal infection preventatives, vitamins, and auxin (a plant growth hormone). The rooting agent is usually dissolved in water, and then the plant shoot is placed in the resulting solution. The shoot is planted in the soil and watered with the solution.
Instead, you can also use home remedies for rooting. To prepare a rooting agent, you will need ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. These are honey, apple cider vinegar, or cinnamon. Each of these products has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Here are simple ways to prepare products for home rooting:
- add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to a glass of warm water, water the newly planted plant with the resulting mixture;
- Add honey to a glass of hot water, let the preparation cool before use.
- dilute a teaspoon of vinegar in a glass of water, soak the seedling in the mixture, and then transfer it to the ground.
A solution prepared from aspirin (1 tablet per liter of water) or a decoction or infusion of cut willow branches contain acetylsalicylic acid or salicylates (derivatives of salicylic acid), which are a natural growth regulator, support the formation and development of roots, and also protect plants from pathogens.
Honey can be an excellent means for home rooting, contains enzymes that stimulate plant rooting, has fungicidal properties. Using honey for rooting cuttings is very simple. Apply a little honey to the lower cut.
For greater effectiveness, you can dissolve honey in hot water. The home remedy should work for 24 hours. It will nourish the plant and create a barrier against fungi and bacteria.
Ground cinnamon is also great for keeping our plants healthy. Very good against pests and as a fungicide. Cinnamon should be used as a rooting agent, just like all rooting powders. The stem of the cutting is dipped in cinnamon and then placed in the soil. Rooting will be much stronger and faster, and it will even protect the cuttings from fungi and infections.
