Taking cuttings - etiquette and tips

What's the etiquette of taking cuttings? Is it OK to take cuttings from plants in parks and public gardens?

If you are out abd get an unexpected chance to take cuttings is there anything you can do to increase chances of rooting? Maybe putting cuttings in damp tissue until you get home?

 

It’s about permissions Eden 1
Get permission, usually it will be granted.

A damp tissue is better than nothing but a polythene bag is ideal. So if you anticipate the possibility of taking cuttings take a poly bag.

Basically it’s a race between rooting and rotting......reducing transpiration by inserting the cutting asap

 

Well, I honestly feel encouraged after reading Verdun and Shiney's posts... there's this delightful salvia I often admire in a raised bed very close to where I live, it's a sort of dark purplish pink and I may well give the owner a knock on the door now!

Nick

 

A few weeks back I knocked on a door and was invited in to speak to the owner......disabled and sitting in a chair. I asked if I could take a cutting from a weigela that I saw flowering in her garden. She was chuffed. She did not know the name of her plant so I told her.
Her garden was a treasure trove of old shrubs and perennials and she told me to help myself to anything, cutting wise, I fancied.
Nice experience all round I think.....asking an owner for permission like this can often be a joyous thing for both parties
I returned with a box of chocs....took Nico with me to her utter delight.
A couple of days ago I saw her house up for sale....sadly she had died
My cuttings took. I’ll remember that old lady whenever I see her shrub in my garden

 

What a lovely anecdote @Verdun, thanks for sharing it with us. I often feel like my late grandmother lives on through the cuttings and seeds I took from her garden. Musk-mallow, philadelphus, japanese anemone, all white, which makes me think of rebirth rather than death. Funny how something as trivial as the colour of flowers affects our perception of things.

Nick

 

What about public parks, it might be difficult to contact the council or forestry service and ask permission beforehand?

 

There's normally a parky or workman around our local park, I'd ask someone like that.

 

Often had plants taken from my front wall.....or pieces taken

Once caught a couple yanking bits from osteospermum out there and I confronted them. “We’ll pay” they screeched. “£20 please” I said and they paid up.
They prob learned a lesson or two

 

I have a rhubarb named Glen and peony named Chuck. Same reason

I once took a cutting from a public place and didn't ask permission and it never took. Serves me right!

 

Shiney, that’s lovely. Adds so much more to the garden and our plants