Cuttings from Plants
April 19th 2006 21:26
Taking 'cuttings' from a plant means exactly what it suggests by name. Basically, all you are doing is cutting a stem/stems from one plant, and removing it to grow in another location, thereby gaining another plant! This is a very common gardening practice, and can be achieved very easily.
Here are some simple steps you can follow to ensure a healthy new cutting...
1. Choosing a Plant
First, you must choose a plant to cut from (called the 'mother plant'). This can be any ol' plant, just make sure it has enough stems so that it will not die when a stem is removed.
2. Garden Container Preperation
In order to let the little cuttings grow roots, you must use a soilless potting mix. This is essential, as soiless mix drains better than garden soil, and achieves just the right moisture content for growth. Just fill a clean container or pot with the mixture to prepare.
3. Selecting the Stems
New growth stems are better than woody stems. Choose the new, green stems, over larger, more established ones. The part you are looking for is called a 'node'. A node is the term used for the part of the stem that looks like it has a joint in it. It is where the leaf was or is attached.
4. Cutting the Node
It's not as hard as you think. All you have to do is cut back to just below a node. The cutting itself doesn't have to be big, a couple of leaves will grow fine.
So...now you have your cutting. Wasn't too hard was it!
Tomorrow I will show you how to prepare the little sucker, and some tips on planting to ensure success.
Stay tuned!
Here are some simple steps you can follow to ensure a healthy new cutting...
1. Choosing a Plant
First, you must choose a plant to cut from (called the 'mother plant'). This can be any ol' plant, just make sure it has enough stems so that it will not die when a stem is removed.
2. Garden Container Preperation
3. Selecting the Stems
New growth stems are better than woody stems. Choose the new, green stems, over larger, more established ones. The part you are looking for is called a 'node'. A node is the term used for the part of the stem that looks like it has a joint in it. It is where the leaf was or is attached.
4. Cutting the Node
It's not as hard as you think. All you have to do is cut back to just below a node. The cutting itself doesn't have to be big, a couple of leaves will grow fine.
So...now you have your cutting. Wasn't too hard was it!
Tomorrow I will show you how to prepare the little sucker, and some tips on planting to ensure success.
Stay tuned!
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