Knotweed is a large family of plants with very different members. Among them there are climbing plants as well as perennials or creeping ground covers. What they all have in common, however, is that they are all considered to be very vigorous and difficult to keep in check. Their joy of growth also includes their propagation, because all knotweed species are very easy to reproduce by seeds, offshoots or cuttings or by division.
Propagating knotweed via cuttings is surprisingly easy
Which knotweed species are suitable for propagation?
Many knotweed form so-called root offshoots, ergo separable shoots that grow directly from the rhizomes. These shoots can be dug up or separated from the mother plant and cultivated separately as an independent plant. Such propagation is preferred by the Japanese knotweed, also known as giant knotweed, which can form offshoots from even the smallest root components. Other knotweeds - such as the climbing creeper - also develop root-forming offshoots on above-ground shoots. The ground-covering carpet or piebald knotweed, on the other hand, can be easily divided.
Cut and plant cuttings
The best way to propagate the knotweed and the knotweed is to use cuttings that are cut as herbaceously as possible in early summer. Alternatively, it is also possible to use woody sticks cut in winter. However, since experience has shown that the success rate is significantly lower, it is preferable to propagate cuttings in summer.
Propagating knotweed from cuttings
How to multiply creeper and knotweed:
- Cut shoots about 10 to 15 centimeters long.
- These should not be lignified yet.
- Use a clean and sharp knife.
- The cut surface should be as sloping as possible for easier water absorption.
- Dip the cut in rooting powder.
- Mix two thirds potting soil and one third sand.
- Stick the cuttings in there about an inch deep.
- Put a perforated plastic bag over the pot.
- Place the pot in a sunny spot.
- But not in direct sun.
- Keep the substrate moist.
- Ventilate several times a day to avoid mold growth.
After about three to four weeks, you can plant the cuttings, which are now sufficiently rooted, directly at their destination.
tips
If the weather is favourable, you can pull the cuttings outdoors. Either cut cuttings and stick them directly into the ground or propagate the knotweed - a tried and tested method, especially for creepers - using sinkers.