TAKING CUTTINGS
Stem cuttings are one of the most common and convenient ways of propagating many plants and ensure that each young plant is identical to the parent. There are various types of stem cuttings, ranging from softwood, through semi-ripe, to hardwood. The harder or riper the cuttings, the easier they are to handle.
Softwood cuttings often present problems because the sappy stems wilt quickly, and are prone to rotting when planted. Therefore, softwood cuttings need the most attention if they are to survive and root. Hardwood cuttings, on the other hand, root slowly but easily.
Softwood cuttings are prepared from new shoots that are just beginning to develop their strengthening tissue. At this stage, the stems usually become deeper green. Cuttings then can be taken any time such material is available, but usually in the spring or early summer.
The main advantage of propagating using softwood cuttings is that young plants can be produced quite early in the year..
There are two types of softwood cuttings.
BASAL CUTTINGS are used to propagate those plants that produce new shoots from their crowns at soil level. Many hardy herbaceous, perennials fall into this category as do tender perennials such as Dahlias. The new shoots should be taken as cuttings when they are about 5 cm tall, and removed as close to the crown of the plant as possible.
NODAL CUTTINGS are prepared from young side-shoots of shrubby plants, and are so-called because the base of the cutting is cut immediately below a node or leaf joint. In this area is a concentration of hormones that stimulate production of roots.
With softwood cuttings the faster the cuttings are inserted into the rooting medium the better. They should also be placed in a humid environment. Here they are more likely to root successfully.
Collect cuttings on a dull day, or early in the morning, before they begin to lose water through their leaves as temperatures rise
Cuttings then offer a quick way of obtaining a large quantity of plants, and can cause minimal disturbance to the original plant.
Roooting medium for propagating your plants from cuttings include pure sand or a mixture of sand and peat moss in a 1:1 proportion. Other rooting media includes equal parts of bark, peat or coconut fibre and sand, sometimes with vermiculite or perlite. You should also remember that rooting conditions also favour growth of some fungal species, therefore, sometimes it is advisable to initially water the cuttings with a dilute fungicide.
Maintaining a temperature of 15.5 - 18°C encourages more rapid root development. Higher temperatures may encourage fungal diseases. One should also shade the cuttings from direct sunlight. Cuttings of most plants root quickly - in 10 to 14 days, after which they can be weaned off to normal growing conditions, and then potted up.
Nodal cuttings are taken, for example, from Fuchias, Spiraeas, Viburnums, while basal cuttings are taken from such plants as Chrysanthemum, Dahlia, Achillea and Delphiniums.
PLANTING CUTTINGS
After you have prepared your cuttings, they should be inserted in the propagating medium. A good rule-of-thumb is to try and bury two nodes. Remember to firmly press the rooting medium around the cuttings, and make sure you water them very thoroughly, and make sure they never dry out completely.
Also, particularly during the first few days keep them out of direct sunlight. The leaves should remain firm and never be allowed to wilt. Then, as plants begin to root, gradually increase the light intensity until they are in full sunlight. Root formation can be stimulated if bottom heat is provided.
Generally, softwood cuttings can be potted up in about 2 to 4 weeks. Evidence of root initiation is provided by commencement of shoot growth and production of new leaves.
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