Cuttings are very suitable for propagating various plants without losing the properties of the mother plant. We'll show you how.
Propagation by cuttings is a popular way of growing new plants without having to spend a cent. Even without a green thumb, it is usually possible to produce independent plants from indoor plants, bedding plants or shrubs, which have the properties of the mother plant.
In the following, we will present propagation by cuttings in more detail, reveal which plants are particularly successful with this and what needs to be considered after taking cuttings in order to cultivate he althy, independent plants from them.
What are cuttings?
Cuts are parts of a plant that are removed from a sufficiently developed mother plant with the aim of cultivating a new plant. Seedlings or cuttings are other common names.
Cuttings can be divided into different groups depending on the plant part used:
- Head cuttings
➩ The top of the plant serves as the cutting. - Leaf cuttings
➩ A pair of leaves with a stem is used. - Stem cuttings
➩ The stem and a bud are cultivated. - Partial cuttings
➩ The cuttings come from the lateral parts of the plants. - Root cuttings
➩ This type of propagation only works with a few plants. A piece of root is used.
Head and leaf cuttings are the most common in private allotment gardens as well as in commercial plant breeding. Propagation is easy and the growth guarantee is quite high.
While the hobby gardener can soon enjoy new plants with little effort and without additional costs, the propagation of cuttings in horticulture has another meaning. Breeders can guarantee that the characteristics of the mother plant will be preserved. This would not be the case with seed propagation.
Propagation by cuttings is recommended if…
- the plant is strong enough.
- No seeds are available.
- sowing is time-consuming and tedious.
- quick successes should be visible.
Propagation by cuttings is not suitable if…
- the plants are particularly woody.
- The plants are young.
- the plants are affected by diseases or pests.
Which plants are suitable for propagation by cuttings?
The odds are good for houseplants and bedding plants. Most of them can be propagated by cuttings. With hardwood and softwood, on the other hand, it becomes more difficult. Box trees, for example, take almost twelve months to develop roots.
Tip: For starters, you should choose plants that are easy to propagate.
Plants that tolerate pruning well and quickly sprout again after the annual topiary are generally very well suited for propagation by cuttings.
The following plants can easily be propagated by cuttings:
| Plant | Special Features |
|---|---|
| Rose | Roses are very suitable for propagation by cuttings. However, grafted rose varieties should not be used. |
| Hibiscus | Propagation from cuttings is much less complicated than growing from seed. Root formation is accelerated if the cutting is covered with a plastic cover to ensure increased humidity. |
| Oleanders | The oleander is ideal for propagating cuttings in a glass of water. It should be noted that this is a poisonous plant. Gloves must be worn when working. |
| Hydrangea | Growing hydrangeas from seed is time-consuming and complicated. Therefore, cuttings are taken from the bushy plant in early summer. No flowers should appear on the shoots. |
| Geranium | The geranium is a popular plant for beginners. The cuttings should be taken from slightly woody shoots. A foil hood promotes root formation. |
| Raspberry | Raspberries grow luxuriantly. The cuttings are guaranteed to root. |
| Thyme | Spices can also be propagated by cuttings. With Mediterranean plants, it is advisable to cultivate the cuttings at room temperature. |
| Peppermint | Peppermint grows quickly and can be easily propagated by cuttings. This can be done directly in the bed in early summer. |
Find the best time for propagation by cuttings
There are different times when cuttings can be taken. If indoor plants or potted plants are to be propagated, the early spring is a good time for cutting cuttings.
Garden plants can be propagated in late summer. After flowering, pruning can take place, resulting in a large number of cuttings.
Required tools:
- neat and sharp secateurs
- small planters
- Cultivation soil
- Plastic Cover
Propagation by cuttings step by step
Step 1: Cut the cutting
First, the appropriate cutting is selected. It should be a shoot no more than 20 centimeters long. Cuttings should not be taken from woody plant parts.
Step 2: Prepare the cutting
The cutting has numerous leaves. These will now be removed. They only leave a pair of leaves on the shoot, because the plant should focus its energy on forming new roots.
Tip: Leaves on the shoot must not be planted. Rotting them would attract pests and fungi.
Step 3: plant the cutting
Now the cutting is put about halfway into a flower pot with sandy garden soil. The substrate is well moistened. A mini greenhouse can be created from a plastic bag or a cut mineral water bottle in just a few simple steps.
Tip: The mini greenhouse must be aired briefly every day so that the moisture does not accumulate and mold does not form on the growing soil.
Step 4: Find a suitable location
The cuttings get a warm window seat.
Step 5: water the cuttings well
Water the cuttings well and then keep them permanently moist.
Step 6: Wait for rooting
If new shoots appear, the propagation was successful. The plants can then be placed outdoors or cultivated as indoor and container plants.
Propagation methods from cuttings
| Type of cuttings | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Take cuttings from the leaf | • The stem is planted with the leaf. • An example is the African violet. • BeiFor partial leaf cuttings, only individual segments of the leaves are used. • This is the case, for example, with begonias. |
| Take cuttings from the shoot | • The top end of the shoot is used. • The shoot should have several leaf nodes. • The cut is made at right angles. • The cut is made below one node. |
| Getting cuttings from the roots | • The tubers are divided. • Root pieces about five centimeters long are obtained. |
Procedure after the cut
After potting, the cutting is watered vigorously. The liquid must always be able to drain off easily. Waterlogging would cause the shoots to rot.
Cultivation soil should be used. This has far fewer nutrients than normal potting soil. This has a positive effect on root formation.
Some plants root after just a few weeks. Still other plants need six months or more.
If the roots stick out of the bottom of the planter, the seedlings should be repotted. Conventional potting soil is used for this. The addition of fertilizer stimulates the growth of the seedling.