A Cutting Question

[ryanguevara1983]

Hi All,

I'd really like to experiment more with cuttings and grow some free plants. I've read lots, but one thing I'm not great at is choosing the right spot for them to root and grow. If i put them in the greenhouse they wilt within seconds, outside seems a bit cold and they don't do anything. Where's the best place when I've taken cuttings? Windowsill? I dip them in hormone, cover them with plastic to keep the moisture in - is this right? Any brilliant tip or advice gratefully received,

Thanks,

[veggiechicken]

A lot depends on the type of cutting. I root a lot of mine by sticking them in a glass of water, keeping them light but out of direct sun and leaving them to get on with it. I have a glass full of Chocolate peppermint and variegated mint cuttings that went in water a week ago, all set to be potted up now. Some cuttings root very quickly.

[Jeanied]

If I take cuttings and put them in a pot with compost, I always put a plastic bag over the top until I see signs of new growth. Then I gradually acclimatise the cuttings to open air.

[GardenFaery]

I take fuschia cuttings (thanks to tip from RustyLady) directly off mature plant and just leave on windowsill in water, not even with hormone powder?...

[rustylady]

Let us know what plants you're trying to root Ryan, and we'll try and tell you the best method(s). I personally never use hormone rooting stuff now. My cuttings do just as well without.

[ryanguevara1983]

I'd like to try anything and everything! Clematis, lavender, honeysuckle, buddleija, lavatera, and anything else that people think are fairly easy! I'd prefer to grow cuttings from perennials so that they'll last me, but am also going to try fuschias.

[Jeanied]

Clematis are best propagated by layering as far as I recall. Not tried any of those by cuttings but I think you will need to try semi ripe cuttings later in the year.

[veggiechicken]

My rough rule of thumb is - if its a soft wood cutting (green and flexible) I put it in water and if its hard wood (brown and sticklike) it goes in a pot. I don't use rooting compound, just do lots of cuttings as a backup.
Just have a go and see what works for you. It's very satisfying to see a garden full of free plants!

[GardenFaery]

Think I saw a first little hair root on one of my fuschia cuttings today too - yay!

[GardenFaery]

Planting my fuschia cuttings in soil now - they have developed beautiful roots just in water