Gardeners use propagation to grow new plants from older, healthy plants.It's great if you want to increase the number of plants you have or take your favorite plants with you when you move.If you want to propagation, you need to select a stock plant, take the cuttings and plant them.
Step 1: Take a look at your garden for potential stock.
Plants with lots of new growth can be found in the spring or early summer.There will be a few different stems for you to pick from, so you'll want to take some from these plants.New growth is easier to grow than older growth because it has more cells reproducing rapidly.
Step 2: If you don't have a garden, you should visit a nursery.
If you're just starting your garden and don't have any stock plants, visit a local nursery and ask if you can take some larger plants.If you take a small amount, they'll let you.If you have friends, family, or neighbors who are growing plants for you, you can always ask them to take them.You should be very careful when transporting your cuttings.Place them in a plastic bag with a few drops of water or a damp paper towel.The bag should be put in a box to prevent bumping.
Step 3: Pick a stock plant to cut from.
The plant should be large and healthy so that cutting off a small amount won't cause it to die.It should be free from pests and non-flowering during the time of year when you're taking your cuttings.When the plants are full of water, it's best to gather them earlier in the morning.They'll be more likely to maintain their water when it's easier to cut.
Step 4: New growth is a good choice for a stem.
Stems with young, green growth have a better chance of taking root when planted.There is a piece of stem with leaves.You want to make sure you know where the leaf meets the stem.
Step 5: The stem should be measured out to 10 centimetres.
To plant it deep within the soil, you'll want to have enough length on the stem.There should be a few leaves on the stem.
Step 6: A sharp pair of scissors are needed to cut below a node.
Measure the stem and cut below it.The stem will have a knob in it that connects to the rest of the plant.Make sure the cutting is still on.Hold onto one of the lower leaves to avoid handling the cutting by its stem.Rub alcohol on scissors to make them sterile.This will prevent the cells from being contaminated.
Step 7: Take the lower leaves of the plant and leave at least one pair at the top.
Too many leaves will compete with the plant's efforts to send out new roots for the new plant to use.Lower leaves will cause the cutting to rot, so they can be removed.
Step 8: Dropping a few drops of water in a plastic bag is what you need to get your cuttings.
It's possible to prevent them from wilting while you work.The sun can cause plants to lose water quickly, so it's important that they're taken outside.
Step 9: Potting soil can be filled with a drainable container.
Potting mix, which is often a mixture of moss, perlite, and vermiculite, will generally yield better results for potted plants because of its superior drainage.You can drill into the bottom of the container if there aren't any drainage holes.At most home improvement stores, you can find soil for cuttings.
Step 10: You should water the soil in the container before you plant.
Once they are in their container, this is to make sure they have water.Water until the soil is moist.
Step 11: You can make holes in the soil by using a pencil and a chopstick.
Your cutting won't be snapped or bent when it's inserted into the soil if you create a hole before you insert it.If you don't have a pencil or a chopstick, you can use a knitting needle.
Step 12: They need to insert the cuttings into their individual holes.
The leaves should not be buried and the plant should be stable enough to stand upright.A leaf break is where two leaves shoot off in opposite directions.It is possible to plant several cuttings in a single container, but be careful not to overcrowd the pot.For a medium-sized container about 20 cm across, 6-7 cuttings will fill the pot with enough room to grow.
Step 13: The container should be covered with a plastic bag to protect it from the elements.
Place the pot in a clear plastic bag and secure it with a rubber band.If you want to keep the pot away from the window, place it in an area that gets a lot of sunlight.To allow air to flow, be sure to cut small holes or leave part of the bag outside the rubber band.
Step 14: Don't forget to water and monitor.
The soil in the container needs to be moist at all times.Don't let the soil dry out.Don't forget to check the bottom of the container for roots.Remove them from the container if they start to look bad.
Step 15: When the roots are visible, transplant the plants to containers.
There are drainage holes at the bottom of the container.Once the roots appear at the bottom of the container, you can transplant the cutting from one container to another.Lift the plant from the container with care to preserve as many roots as possible.Place the new container in a sunny area by adding more potting soil.When the roots fill the pot, transplant again.