You can clone an existing plant by planting a single stem from the parent.It's easy to do at home for both tropical and hardy varieties.You can grow new, healthy hibiscus plants without having to buy them.
Step 1: Wait until the summer to grow it.
Cut in the middle of summer when the plants have the most growth.It will give you a better chance of success.The stems might take longer to grow if you wait until late summer.
Step 2: There are branches with green growth.
At the ends of the branches, look for stems that are smooth and dark green.There is a lot of new growth to choose from.It's okay to take stems that are slightly brown or darker green, but they must be roots in the ground to be successful.
Step 3: Pruning shears can be used to cut stems.
Pruning shears are used to cut the green branches away from the plant.You can keep them in a box or bag while you work.Taking too many plants from one plant can cause the parent plant to stop growing.At one time, aim to take no more than 6 cuttings.If you want to prevent the shears from rusting, wipe them with a damp cloth.
Step 4: The leaves should be removed at the top of the cutting.
Oxygen levels are improved when leaves are removed from the plants.Only a few leaves are left at the top of the stem after all the leaves have been cut with the shears.If the leaves are large, cut them in half.Pulling leaves off of the stems can cause damage to the fibers in the stem, making growth more difficult.
Step 5: A diagonal cut at the bottom of the branch is needed to encourage growth.
Cut 0.25 inches off the bottom of the stem with the pruning shears.The stem will be prepared for rooting.It is possible to cut through an area where a leaf is growing.Natural growth hormones are found in these spots.
Step 6: The rooting hormone should be put at the end of the stem.
The rooting hormone encourages the branch to grow new roots.Many gardeners like to use honey and use different kinds of rooting hormones.Transfer the stem to the rooting medium with care.They can transfer oils onto the stem that prevent the rooting hormone from working if you touch the end of the cutting with your hands.
Step 7: If you want to watch the root growth, put the cuttings in water.
The method allows you to watch the roots as they grow.Add a drop of hydrogen peroxide to the bottle by filling it with warm water.Make sure the leaves don't touch the water by placing the cuttings into the bottle.The water should be changed once per week.Remove the cutting, pour out the water, and replace it with new water to prevent the formation of microbes.You can use this method to monitor the growth of the plant.You will see white bumps after a week, and after 4 weeks, you should see roots forming.If you don't have a water softener, you can use tap water.The softened water has too much salt.
Step 8: If they are more mature, place the stems in the ground.
If you took your cuttings later in the season, they might be a darker green color and have some bark growing on them, which can make rooting more difficult.Use a pencil to make holes in a container with 2–3 inches of topsoil.Place the cuttings in the holes and press the soil around them.Don't push the stems into the soil without making a hole first because the dirt can damage the stem and remove the rooting hormone.
Step 9: If they were taken from tropical hibiscus, they should be grown in sand and moss.
In a container, make a mixture of sand and moss.Water the medium evenly and use a pencil to make holes.Then, press the soil around the holes.Water them again after they're in the box to prevent them from drying out.
Step 10: Place the cuttings in indirect sunlight by covering them with clear plastic.
It's a good idea to drape clear plastic over your cuttings to trap the water.Put them in a bright area out of the sun.The plants should be in the sun all day.The plastic should be slightly open at the bottom or cut into the top to allow for air to flow over the cuttings.
Step 11: Mist was planted to keep the soil moist.
Keeping the stems moist will help the plants form roots.A light mist every day will keep the rooting medium moist.Remove the plastic bag if you notice the soil is wet.root rot can be caused by over watering.The soil should be given more water during the day if it dries out quickly.Move the container to a cooler area if the problem persists.
Step 12: Take 3-6 months for roots to form.
New leaves will form at the top of the stem when the roots are hard enough for a transplant.The soil should be removed to make way for pots.When growing in water, wait until the roots change color from white to light tan.
Step 13: There is a 4 in (10 cm) pot.
The plants need a pot of their own to grow in, so plan on using 1 pot for each cut.You can buy hibiscus soil at some hardware stores.The pot has about 2.5 cm of space at the top.You can use any high-quality topsoil if you can't find specialty hibiscus soil.To make it less rich, mix the soil with sand or moss.
Step 14: A hole of about 3 in wide and about 7 in deep.
You can plant the cutting in the soil with your hands or a garden spade.The roots of the plant need to fit into the hole.When unsure, fill the hole slightly larger than necessary.
Step 15: Water thoroughly and plant the stem just above the soil.
Don't damage the fresh roots by lowering the stem into the soil.It should be positioned so that the leaves are above the ground.Water the area thoroughly after filling the hole with soil.The leaves can rot if they touch the soil.To make sure the plant isn't buried too deep, you may need to add a small amount of soil to the bottom of the hole.
Step 16: For 2 weeks, place the pot in an area that gets indirect sunlight.
When the roots are established in the soil, place the pot in a bright area away from the sun.Leave the plants in the shade for 2 weeks.Move the plant to direct sunlight after 2 weeks to get the stem and leaves to grow.Once the roots are established, leave the plant in the sun for a few months to get even sunlight.
Step 17: As the plant grows, water it daily.
If you want to make sure you don't give your plant too much water, feel the soil about 1.5 hours after you water it.It should be moist, but not wet.Limit watering to every other day if it's wet to avoid standing water in the pot.In the winter, water the hibiscus with warm water to encourage growth.