Cuttings are the easiest way to propagate a plant. The process is so simple that even inexperienced gardeners can soon look forward to new, self-grown specimens on the windowsill or in the garden bed. Are you still unsure how to proceed when removing and raising the cuttings? In this article you will find detailed instructions and helpful tips on what to look out for.
Cuttings can be rooted in water or in soil
useful information
The propagation of a plant by cuttings is one of the most popular methods of reproduction, not only because of the simple procedure. Only with cuttings can you pass on positive characteristics of the mother plant to the next generation. When propagating cuttings, the genetic material is transferred 1:1. The new plant resembles its lineage down to the smallest detail.
cut cuttings
Cuttings are usually the young shoot tips of a plant. These can easily be cut off with a knife. Make sure your tool has a sharp blade to ensure a clean cut. Frayed wounds and cuts heal slowly and increase the risk of germs getting inside the plant. At best, disinfect the blade of the knife before and after the procedure.
tips
Don't just think about protecting your plant from cuts. Wear safety gloves as a precaution. This is especially necessary if the chosen plant secretes poisonous or skin-irritating juices.
Requirements for the cutting
Basically, it is very easy to propagate a plant with cuttings. If you still don't succeed in rearing, there is no reason to despair. It is possible that your chosen cutting simply did not have the best properties for self-rooting.
Next time, make sure your cutting is not too soft. These shoots usually rot as soon as they are separated from the mother plant. Likewise, the cutting must not already be lignified. Old shoots often no longer develop roots. However, young shoots must be of sufficient length.
It goes without saying that the shoots should be free of pests.
Here's how to do it
- position the knife about 2 to 3 cm from the petiole
- there you separate the bottom leaves
- Cut large areas of leaves in half from the tip
plant cuttings
In order for your cuttings to grow into independent young plants, they must develop roots. You have two options to promote this:
- Rooting in a glass of water
- Rooting in seed pots
Rooting in a glass of water
You can watch the roots grow in the water glass. Keep the area permanently moist by spraying the pairs of leaves. At first, the cuttings cannot absorb water from the bare stalk.
Rooting in seed pots
This variant saves you having to replant the cuttings and you don't risk damaging the roots. However, breeding takes longer. Choose a substrate of sand, peat and compost.
Note: For most plant species, the germination time is 2 to 3 weeks. During this time you should keep the cuttings at a room temperature of 20°C and check the growth regularly.