Cuttings, How to…

Although these are some of the shortest days of the year, to the gardener they seem the longest. In midsummer when days are long, the hours fly by as we enjoy our gardens, yards and outdoor living. Now, the bright green world of summer seems an impossible dream. There’s not a lot of gardening to do other than browse the seed catalogs that roll in this time of year. However, there is one project I can enjoy now to get ready for spring...I can root some cuttings. Most plants will produce roots more readily at the leaf intersections. I want to bear this in mind as I take cuttings so I’ll cut just below the leaf intersection where new roots will form. After cutting, I’ll strip off the lower leaves. The cuttings will root more easily without them. I need to let the fresh cuts briefly dry or “scab over” before I slip them into the soil. A fresh, juicy cut will rot easily...a dried, “scabbed over” cutting won’t. While I’m waiting a few minutes for the stems to scab, I’ll fill some pots with sterile potting soil; the same soil I use in all our pots and planters. Lightly moisten the soil and tamp it gently. I don’t want the soil soggy wet, just moist. Once the cuttings are ready, I’ll dip the stems into some rooting powder. Rooting powder is mostly just talcum powder with a bit of root growth stimulant added. The fine particles of talcum will give the tiny root hairs something to form on and the growth stimulant speeds that process. Most plants will root without the powder but it does increase your chance of success. I like to put a couple in each pot in case one doesn’t take. If both do well I can separate them later. Once they’re all potted up, we need to keep them in a warm place and nurse them along until they can grow some roots and provide for themselves. Since the winter home is dry, misting them lightly every day or even a couple of times a day for the first few days, is a good idea. I like to mist them with a very light (1/4 strength) solution of soluble plant food. The food in the mist can be absorbed right through the leaves and stems and will keep the cuttings alive and help them grow roots quickly. Don’t overdo the food though...a little goes a long way. Another option is to make an enclosure for them...they don’t want to be sealed up. I like to use a large plastic freezer bag to make a tent with the end left open for some fresh air. Water the soil lightly but never let it get soggy. Soggy soil will rot the cuttings. That’s it. Easy peasy, and I end up with lots of free plants to share with friends or add to my gardens and planters in spring. Thanks for the read.