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Why do we propagate perennials by cuttings?
Propagating perennials by cuttings is a good way to ensure that you will get the exact same plant with the same colour flowers that you are propagating from. Perennials that have been bred to be a certain way or have a certain colour flower don’t come true from seed, so propagating them by cuttings is the only way to ensure that you get the exact same plant. Perennials propagated by cuttings also flower quicker than seed raised plants and ensuring you take cuttings from healthy plants, you will also get healthy plants from cuttings. Propagating perennials by cuttings is also a great way of increasing your plant stock for free!
How can propagating perennials by cuttings be used as a mindfulness activity?
Propagating perennials by cuttings can increase focus by concentrating the mind on the needs of the plant you’re propagating. Also, creating new life and nurturing is a great mindfulness activity for increasing self esteem, confidence and self worth. What can be better than creating new plants for yourself for free and filling your garden with them? Being able to look at them every day knowing that you created those plants is so satisfying and a great boost to your self esteem and self worth.
What perennials can I propagate by cuttings?
Any really, but different perennials are propagated by different types of cuttings. There are shoot tip or softwood cuttings, basal cuttings, root cuttings and leaf cuttings. For now, we are going to concentrate on shoot tip cuttings as they are a really easy way to propagate perennials for a beginner. Some examples of perennials you can do shoot tip cuttings with are Salvia, Penstemon and Pelargoniums.
What equipment will I need?
- Secateurs or a knife to take the cuttings.
- Plastic bag to put the cuttings into
- Small pots such as 9cm pots or a bit bigger depending on the size of the cuttings you’re taking
- Multi purpose compost and some perlite to mix into it to open out the compost and improve its drainage. Perlite is used so that the compost doesn’t become waterlogged and effectively drown the cutting.
- A dibber
How do I propagate perennials by shoot tip cuttings?
Firstly find a shoot which hasn’t flowered and remove a piece about 10cm long making sure you cut the stem off just above a bud or pair of buds. It’s essential that you have a plastic bag to hand that you can put the cuttings into and seal the bag to keep the moisture in otherwise the cuttings will wilt.
Next, mix some compost with perlite at a rough ratio of 50:50. Fill a pot with it and firm it down.
Take one of your cuttings and cut the stem just below a bud or pair of buds making each cutting about 5-10cm long. Remove most of the leaves leaving only a few at the top of the cutting. This reduces the amount of water the plant loses through the leaves and increases the chances of the cutting rooting.
Once you’ve prepared your cutting, use your dibber to make a hole in the compost down the inside of the pot and insert your cutting into it so that the leaves are level with the top of the compost. Inserting the cuttings around the edge of the pot further reduces the amount of moisture they lose.
Some people like to use a rooting hormone powder to dip the base of the cutting in before putting into the compost, but this isn’t essential.
The next thing to do is to put your cuttings in a propagator or on a warm windowsill and wait for them to root. If you don’t have a propagator with a lid, then place a plastic bag over the cuttings to keep the humidity high and remove to water and ventilate when needed. Make sure you water your cuttings and keep the compost moist at all times.
When will I know that my cuttings have rooted?
When you see new growth, you will know your cuttings have rooted. Also if you gently pull on the cutting and you can feel some resistance, then it has probably rooted. The other way you can tell is if you can see roots coming through the drainage holes underneath the pot.
What do I do once I know the cuttings have rooted?
Once you know the cuttings have rooted you can then gently tip them out of the pot and pull each cutting away from the rest and pot them up into individual small pots to grow on. Keep them somewhere frost free and then harden them off before planting outside.
The do’s and don’ts of propagating perennials by cuttings
Do take between 5 and 10 cuttings to compensate for any that don’t survive
Do cut your stem cuttings off above a bud or pair of buds
Do keep your cuttings in a sealed plastic bag until you are ready to pot them up
Do prepare your cuttings by cutting the stem off just below a bud or pair of buds leaving you with a cutting about 5-10cm long
Do remove excess leaves from your cuttings to reduce loss of water
Do be careful not to damage the stem when preparing your cutting
Do use a compost and perlite mix for your cuttings
Do place the cuttings around the edge of the pot flush with the inside of the pot
Do put your cuttings into the compost so the leaves are flush with the compost surface
Do keep your cuttings on a warm windowsill with a plastic bag over the top or in a propagator until they have rooted
Do check your cuttings regularly to see if they need water
Don’t propagate perennials by cuttings when the weather is too cold or there’s a frost
Don’t leave it too long before potting up your cuttings
Don’t leave too many leaves on your cuttings
Don’t push your cuttings into the compost without making a hole with your dibber first
Don’t water your cuttings so the soil is constantly saturated
Don’t leave your cuttings in a cold environment
Don’t place your cuttings in constant full sun
Don’t plant out your cuttings until you’ve hardened them off
If you enjoyed this article you may also be interested in reading ‘Beginners guide to sowing seeds outdoors in Spring’ and ‘Tips on sowing seeds indoors’
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