Growing plants from cuttings

Hello all,

Sorry but I am still very new at all this! I've always been curious about growing plants from cuttings, but how do you know which plants will work that way and which will not? Specifically at the moment I'm interested in lavender and heather. I currently have a cutting of a geranium in water waiting to see if it grows roots - will it work??

 

First things first, lavender and heather, if you carefully tear off a non flowering shoot with some parent wood on the end, dip the moistend end in hormone rooting powder, shake off the access and pop in a plantpot it should 'take'.

The science of rooting cuttings is far too complex for a quick answer. Mainly divided into hardwood and softwood cuttings. I think it is a trip to the library.

Cheers, Tony.

 

Hi Sandra

Most plants will grow from cuttings, if they are kept warm and moist. A friend who worked in Africa was telling me that in some place they have to put fence posts in upside down, because the posts had a tendance to put down roots and start growing.

Its a very big subject and its worth Googling for an article or two. The basic rule is that you need two growing points (leaf junctions) one above the ground and one below. Also that woody material can take a long time but soft material can be quite quick.

Only some plants (that love water) will produce roots in a glass of water. Geraniums are very drought tolerant and will rot if the cuttings are covered, so I think they won't do well in water.

 

I agree with most that has been said, but on one point I disagree, I think geranium,(pelargonium) will actually root in water.
A lot of plants will root this way but I'm not sure its the best way.

I'd be surprised it heather would root in water, but who knows.
In many cases there are good and bad times to take cutting material and it often changes with the type of plant.

 

Certainly some Pelargoniums will produce roots in water, however I would not leave them in too long because they can also rot off. Less than 0.5" is fine to pot on.
You can also dip the tip in Rooting Compound and go straight into a porous potting compost.

 

Sandra - seek the book out in this thread. It is rather brilliant IMHO!

 

I've recently taken a few cuttings of lavender, just stripped the lower leaves off and plonked them in some cutting/seed soil. I keep cuttings in the south facing spare room where the boiler is so it's nice and warm but not in direct sunlight. Been a few days and they don't look like they're wilting or dying so hopefully roots are a-growing! You should maybe try some root hormone? I'm thinking of buying some but I've heard some people say they don't think it makes a difference. Good luck!

 

Pete - I had a feeling at the back of my mind that Pelargoniums can root in water - which is why I replaced my original " won't root" by "won't do well".

Pelargoniums cuttings hate a damp or humid atmosphere and will usually rot if they are covered. So its surprising that they will produce roots in water.