Greenhouse &
propagation
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Most plants are able to develop roots from
fragments of stem or sometimes from a leaf. These are called cuttings, and as
well as being a source of new plants, they have the added advantage of being
identical with their parents.
The easiest cuttings to root in a
greenhouse, are from shoots snipped from the parent plant while they are soft
and vigorously growing. These are called 'soft' or 'softwood' cuttings and a
huge range of plants, both herbaceous and woody, can be rooted this
way.
Fuchsias and Pelargoniums
(Geraniums) are among the easiest but tradescantia will almost root
overnight.
You can take softwood cuttings
whenever the plant is growing, but the optimum month for the most rapid rooting
is July.
Step: 1 Select a
shoot that carries no flowers, snip down to a length of around 5cm (2in) making
a clean cut across the point where leaf joins stem.
Step: 2 Remove
the lower leaves and insert cuttings around the edge of a 7.5cm (3in) flower
pot which has been filled with compost, or a 50/50 compost, sharp sand mixture.
You will be able to fit three to five cuttings per pot, depending on their
size.
Step: 3 Inflate a polythene bag and tie it over
the pot, or, place in an electric propagator.
Invest in an electric propagator. This provides bottom (soil)
heat, and a covered top to retain humidity, making the perfect environment, not
only for cuttings but also for seeds.
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Protect from strong direct
sunlight, but ensure that the cuttings are not too shaded. Watch for any signs
of rotting, removing any leaves that begin to die, or whole cuttings if their
stems blacken.
Step: 4 When
they have rooted, pot up your new young plants:
• Select the pot and
half fill it with compost.
• Tease out a young plant, hold it in
position at the centre of the pot while introducing more compost all around the
roots. Firm very gently, ensuring that the plant is at
• exactly
the same depth in its new compost as it was before.
• Water
thoroughly, until water flows through the drainage holes in the bottom of the
pot.
Most cuttings should have
developed roots within three weeks, but some may need longer.
Hormone rooting powder or gel may help your cuttings to root more
quickly. Insert cuttings as described, but follow the directions on the
container.
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Cuttings, from semi-ripe
wood, or from mature wood can also be raised in a greenhouse or, in many cases,
outdoors and are a useful way to propagate such trees and shrubs as magnolias,
camellias, hollies, viburnums and so on.
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